Sociology

🧭 Compass Roadmap

ACU’s Department of Communication and Sociology has carefully curated this roadmap which features unique opportunities for you as a student in their major. Take a look below and visit with your faculty mentor and academic advisor so you can explore the best path for you as you progress through your department. For more information about Compass and ACU Roadmaps, be sure to check out acu.edu/compass, or reach out to your Compass team at compass@acu.edu.

SOCIOLOGY PROGRAM
Home/ ACU Compass/ Compass Roadmaps/ Sociology Roadmap

ACU’s Department of Communication and Sociology has carefully curated this roadmap which features unique opportunities for you as a student in their major. Take a look below and visit with your faculty mentor and academic advisor so you can explore the best path for you as you progress through your department. For more information about Compass and ACU Roadmaps, be sure to check out acu.edu/compass, or reach out to your Compass team at compass@acu.edu.

SOCIOLOGY PROGRAM

Main Content

Compass Roadmap | Sociology


Begin Your Journey		First Year
Pursue Community		Second Year
Pursue Hospitality		Third Year
Pursue Calling		Fourth Year
Pursue Wisdom
Grow Intellectually
  • Meet the Department of Sociology faculty during Wildcat Week
  • Develop research skills in Cornerstone (CORE 110)
  • Explore the life of Jesus and the New Testament church in BIBL 101 and 102


  • Support your peers by attending ACU's URCI Festival
  • Explore the message of the Old Testament in BIBL 211
  • Narrow your focus by selecting your SOCI track: Faith & Social Action; Health & Aging; or General Sociology
  • Gain an overview of major sociological theories in SOCI 385: Social Theory
  • Learn about race, place and justice in SOCI 390 over the summer

  • Engage in a faculty-mentored research or creative project
  • Participate in information literacy workshop
  • Complete internship Capstone course (SOCI 498)
  • Learn research methods and social statistics in SOCI 415 and 416
  • Learn about research methods and social statistics by completing SOCI 415 and 416
  • Study at the Washington Center in Washington DC by taking SOCI 438 in January or May
  • Present at URCI Festival or other conference
  • Analyze social inequalities and pursue justice in SOCI 480
Grow Spiritually
  • Experience Candlelight Devo during Wildcat Week
  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Participate in annual COSO MLK Day of Service
  • Engage in practices of meal fellowship, testimony and breath prayer

  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Learn about service opportunities at the Local Missions Fair
  • Participate in annual COSO MLK Day of Service
  • Commit to volunteering in the Abilene community at the International Rescue Committee
  • Engage in practices of intercessory prayer, pilgrimage and journaling
  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Gain hands-on ministry experience on a Global Service Trip
  • Lead at COSO MLK Day of Service
  • Volunteer at the International Rescue Committee
  • Engage in practices of silence, spiritual listening and examen
  • Participate in Chapel, including department chapel
  • Participate in the life of a local church
  • Receive and extend blessings at Senior Blessing
  • Experience Candlelight Sendoff
  • Engage in practices of friendship, relinquishment and developing a rule of life
Grow Personally
  • Take StrengthsFinder assessment
  • Join a student organization to connect with the ACU community
  • Identify a potential faculty, staff or older student mentor in the Department of Sociology
  • Grow as a leader through ACU LEADS: Emerging Leaders

  • Care for your whole person by taking advantage of recreation opportunities on campus (SRWC, intramurals, etc)
  • Actively engage in a student organization
  • Participate in COSO department events (socials, watch parties, community building)

  • Develop your leadership skills while serving in a leadership role on campus
  • Lead in a church ministry or local service organization

  • Mentor a younger student in the Department of Sociology
  • Lead a student club or organization
  • Take a leadership role in COSO department events (socials, watch parties, community building)
  • Develop your leadership skills through ACU LEADS: Elected Leaders
Grow Culturally
  • Attend events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)
  • Explore the opportunities to study abroad at a Study Abroad interest meeting
  • Attend events hosted by the International Students Association (ISA)
  • Study abroad for a semester in Oxford, Leipzig or Montevideo, or participate in COSO summer study abroad
  • Attend events hosted by the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action
  • Participate in a World Wide Witness summer internship
  • Apply to be a Fulbright Scholar, AmeriCorps, PeaceCorps, or other international service opportunities
  • Help implement an OMA, ISA, or Carl Spain Center event
Grow Professionally
  • Explore career possibilities by completing PathwayU
  • Begin connecting with potential employers by activating your Handshake profile
  • Learn new creative possibilities through Creative U
  • Apply for COSO ambassador scholarship
  • Develop a rĂ©sumĂ© and participate in a mock interview
  • Get a summer job or internship related to your field of interest

  • Network with ACU alumni who work in your area of interest
  • Identify faculty members who could write recommendations
  • Create a LinkedIn profile
  • Complete an internship
  • Join Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society
  • Finalize a rĂ©sumĂ©
  • Secure letters of recommendation
  • Apply for jobs and/or graduate school
  • Take a leadership role in Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society

Exploring Areas of Growth

Five Areas of Growth

  • Grow Intellectually – Sharpen your mind through critical thinking, problem solving and engaging in original research or creative projects. Build knowledge in your field and develop relevant skills through innovative and experiential assignments and activities.
  • Grow Spiritually – Grow in likeness of Christ, as the Spirit leads both individuals and communities into deeper love of God and others. Cultivate Christian community, hospitality, vocation and wisdom through reflective participation in community practices such as worship, study and service. 
  • Grow Personally – Mature as a whole person through mentorship, peer-to-peer relationships and cultivating habits that produce wellness. Discover your strengths, become a productive team member and grow as a leader.
  • Grow Culturally – Deepen intercultural knowledge and the ability to communicate with and relate to people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and geographic areas. Foster a greater respect and empathy for all peoples through building dynamic and mutually rewarding relationships in local and global contexts. 
  • Grow Professionally – Prepare for a meaningful career by exploring options, participating in career development activities, gaining relevant experiences and making purposeful connections that launch your professional life.

Integrated Spiritual Formation Themes

 

NOTE: Transfer students and those that surpass traditional semester cadences can progress to the next phase when appropriate for their needs.

Year 1 – Pursue Community

  • Connecting students to cruciform relationships with peers and adults on campus and in Abilene through compelling opportunities to invest in a variety of Christian organizations, both discovering and experiencing the distinctive nature of Christian community.

Year 2 – Pursue Hospitality

  • Engaging students in encounters with diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures through both local and global opportunities to extend and receive hospitality and to serve others in Christ’s name.

Year 3 – Pursue Calling

  • Advancing students’ understanding of vocation in a manner that integrates each student’s particular identity, career goals and vision for life with the broad calling for Christians to participate in the ongoing mission of God revealed in the pattern of Christ’s life and death.

Year 4 – Pursue Wisdom

  • Launching students into cruciform and purposeful living beyond the university by equipping them with tools for and experiences seeking Christian wisdom as they prepare to transition into a new season of life and career.