Education Commons^™

Sharing The Responsibility Of Media Literacy: Reaching Out To Other Disciplines, Jeffrey M. Mccall

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article argues for expanding media literacy education beyond communication majors to reach all college students, emphasizing the pervasive influence of mediated messages in shaping civic, political, and cultural life. It reviews historical and contemporary calls for media awareness as an essential component of liberal education and highlights efforts at DePauw University to establish a Center for Contemporary Media as a model for campuswide integration. The discussion stresses the importance of defining the fundamental contributions of mass communication to liberal learning, while avoiding overly vocational approaches. Proposals for broadening media literacy include cross-disciplinary team teaching, faculty development initiatives, lecture series, …

Academic Values Are Losing Out To The Narrow Values Of Industry Representatives In The Accreditation Process, Robert O. Blanchard

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article critiques the dominance of professional values in the accreditation of journalism and mass communication programs, arguing that academic perspectives have been marginalized in the process. It highlights how accreditation policies, shaped largely by industry representatives, have defined all journalism and mass communication courses as non-liberal arts, a stance that threatens the intellectual and academic identity of the field. The discussion emphasizes that many communication courses contribute directly to liberal education through conceptual and critical content, and rigid vocational classifications risk undermining their value within universities. Historical perspectives and comparisons with liberal arts traditions are used to illustrate the …

The Basics Of Accreditation By Acejmc: Overview, Ed Mullins

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article provides an overview of the accreditation process in journalism and mass communication as administered by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). It explains accreditation as a system of certifying whether professional units meet prescribed standards and outlines the conditions required for eligibility, including practitioner-oriented mission statements, governance structures, and budgetary control. Twelve standards guide the process, with curriculum, faculty quality, instruction, resources, and diversity emphasized as central criteria. The article describes the multi-year preparation required for accreditation, the role of self-study, site visits, and evaluation by teams of educators and practitioners. It details …

The Role Of Journalism And Media Studies In The New Era Of Disciplinary Realignments, Willard D. Rowlands Jr.

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article addresses the role of journalism and media studies within the shifting landscape of higher education and disciplinary realignments. It situates contemporary debates about specialization and liberal education within a long historical trajectory, noting that tensions between professional and liberal traditions have existed since classical and medieval times. The discussion critiques views that blame professional fields for undermining liberal education, arguing instead that new specializations have often revitalized intellectual traditions. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary character of journalism and communication, which has historically linked professional practice with philosophical and civic concerns. Examples from Chicago School sociology, Dewey’s pragmatism, and Lippmann’s …

Aca Membership Directory

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

The 1988 ACA Membership Directory offers a historical snapshot of the American Communication Association’s membership and institutional affiliations, once a vital professional resource but now serving primarily as an archival record of the field’s landscape at that time.

Introduction: It's Time To Hang Together, Robert O. Blanchard, William G. Christ

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This introduction outlines the purpose of a symposium on the role of communication and media studies in liberal education, held at Trinity University in 1987. The gathering sought to address how mass communication could be more fully integrated into the liberal arts through conceptual and collaborative dialogue. Papers prepared for the symposium examined what is fundamental to the discipline, how communication faculty can engage with colleagues in traditional fields, and how undergraduate education might be broadened to balance specialization with liberal learning. Additional contributions addressed accreditation criteria and their impact on the liberal arts, as well as broader historical and …

Professional And Liberal Education: An Agenda For Journalism And Mass Communication, Robert O. Blanchard, William G. Christ

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article addresses the challenges of defining liberal education and the place of journalism and mass communication within it. It reviews competing conceptions of liberal education as content, faculty intent, or student outcomes, and argues that professional fields can make meaningful contributions to liberal learning through skills such as communication, contextual awareness, adaptability, and critical inquiry. The discussion critiques the tendency of traditional disciplines to resist emerging fields and the tendency of professional programs to overemphasize narrow vocational goals. To advance a more integrated approach, the article proposes four steps: evaluating journalism and mass communication programs for fundamental commonalities, building …

Aca News

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This issue announces nominees for the ACA Executive Committee, with candidates representing community colleges, universities, and theatre programs. Each nominee provided background information and statements of objectives, emphasizing commitments to faculty development, curriculum innovation, communication across disciplines, and organizational service. Additional updates include ACA’s election to membership on the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, giving the Association a stronger voice in accreditation processes. The issue also notes a program substitution at the Central States Speech Association meeting and a call for applications to the Program Review Service, which provides consultant evaluations for communication programs. These updates …

The Composing Process And Speech Communication An Examination Of The Strategies Of Six Successful Student Speakers, Susan M. Andersen

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Speech is a process, yet studies in human communication generally examine speech as a product. Rather than studying the decisions employed in the construction and reception of messages, most research in speech focuses upon evaluating communication products. This study represents an effort to build communication theory within a different paradigmatic perspective, employing ethnographic interview method for the purpose of generating theory.

The purpose of this study was to examine the composing processes of six successful student speakers as they prepared formal public speeches. The specific strategies and methods employed were found to vary among these students and to deviate significantly …

Operational Analysis Of Duties Of Florida Elementary School Secretary As Perceived By Secretaries, Principals And Teachers, James Lynwood Mosley

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Information was collected from principals, secretaries and teachers regarding their perceptions of the elementary schoo l secretary's role. Participants· were from three central Florida counties. The instrument for data collection was a survey form consisting of secretarial duties/responsibilities/attributes gleaned from a variety of sources. Participants' perceptions were tallied by means of a modified Li kert Scale. Tallied responses were analyzed statistically in comparison to six null hypotheses which were proposed. Three statistical procedures were employed in the data analysis. These procedures consisted of: (1) analysis of variance, (2) chi-square goodness of fit, and (3) Pearson Product Moment correlation. The .05 …

An Evaluation Of Art Teacher, Parent And Student Perceptions Of The Most Meritorious Goals For A High School Art Program, Clare E. Loveridge

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate the perceptions of high school art teachers, parents of high school students and high school students themselves relative to the merits of goals of a district program for high school art education and to determine whether the three populations share a common perception of these goals.

The reveiew of the literature indicated a lack of substantive art programs in the curriculum from kindergarten through grade 12. The emphasis on art productino goals was cited as a major reason art is given such low status in our nation's schools. Many authors …

The Development Of Non-Credit Programming Within Florida's Community College System : The First Thirty Years, 1957-1987, Ann Sherry Herring

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Impact On Competency Acquisition, Development, And Performance Of Intern Principals In Two Florida School Districts Using The Preparing New Principals Program, Paul Van Mitchell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Learning English Language And Literature In Saudi Arabian Universities: Students' Perceptions Of Successful And Unsuccessful Methodologies, Safa Mansouri

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on identifying students' perceptions of the most successful and least successful methodologies of teaching/ learning- English language and literature in Saudi Arabian universities. The study employed a questionnaire format, which was distributed to the English Departments of three Saudi Arabian universities and one college for women, to gather data. Data analysis revealed that students had many problems, especially with Old and Middle English literature. Language problems, cultural differences, and unfamiliarity with the literary or historical backgrounds of the English literature were cited as the major obstacles to learning. Students of any foreign ,literature need a constantly improved …

Discrete Mathematics In The Secondary Curriculum A Delphi Study Of Topics And Trends, Ann C. Vining

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Guest Artist In Residence: Creative Options, Susan E. Kelso

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article discusses the value of guest artist-in-residence programs in small university theatre departments, where limited faculty and resources create challenges for sustaining creativity and growth. It outlines how guest artists can bring new perspectives, provide workshops, and expand opportunities for students and faculty alike. Practical guidance is offered on identifying artists, including local and regional talent, and on developing creative funding strategies through grants, interdepartmental cooperation, teaching budgets, and community support. The article emphasizes the importance of highlighting unique institutional and regional assets to attract artists, while also providing meaningful professional experiences for them. Examples are given of how …

Aca News

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This issue highlights leadership changes within the Association, with Robert M. Smith beginning his term as President and James M. Symons named President-Elect. Updates include minutes from the Executive Committee and Business Meetings, addressing affiliation with ATHE, exploration of relocating the National Office, and discussion of accreditation involvement with ACEJMC. Additional actions included endorsement of the Council of Graduate Schools’ resolution on graduate assistantships and a constitutional amendment changing the title of Executive Secretary to Executive Director. The bulletin reports on ACA-sponsored programs at regional conventions, election of new Executive Committee members, and acknowledgment of outgoing officers. The 1987 Seminar …

Theatre And Television: A Call For A Merger, Sharaf N. Rehman

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article advocates greater collaboration between theatre and telecommunication programs in higher education, emphasizing the benefits of merging skills in performance and media production. It critiques theatre curricula for focusing almost exclusively on stage performance while neglecting training for microphones and cameras, and notes that radio-television programs often overlook dramatic production. An experimental workshop at a midwestern university demonstrated the value of integrating students from theatre, radio-television, and English in producing plays for television, with positive feedback from both faculty and professionals. Building on this model, West Texas State University developed a sequence of courses in television and radio drama …

A Survey Of Faculty Salaries In Selected Communication Disciplines: 1986–87, Patricia D. Witherspoon, Kathleen J. Jensen

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reports results from a 1986–87 national survey of faculty salaries in selected communication disciplines, including advertising, journalism, radio-television-film, speech communication, and communication disorders. Data were collected from thirty-five institutions, primarily public universities, with salary ranges reported by rank across departments. Results indicate that advertising faculty consistently earned the highest mean salaries, particularly at the assistant professor level, reflecting competition with business schools and private sector opportunities. Speech communication salaries ranked lowest at the assistant and associate levels but showed the greatest percentage increase at the full professor rank, surpassing other disciplines. Salary differences were attributed to factors such …

Academic Departments: Breaking The Habit Of Isolation, Jon Whitmore

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article critiques the tendency of academic departments to become isolated and protective of their disciplinary boundaries, limiting opportunities for intellectual growth and collaboration. While departments provide essential structure and identity within higher education, they can also foster parochialism, territorialism, and insularity. The discussion highlights theatre as an inherently interdisciplinary field that naturally connects with literature, music, anthropology, cultural studies, and technology, making it well-suited for cross-departmental partnerships. Examples include collaborations with engineering and architecture on computer-aided design, with visual artists and composers on performance art, and with modern languages and cultural studies scholars as dramaturgs. The article argues that …

Perspectives On Visiting Artist Program, Eleanor Nyquist Patton

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reflects on the experience of serving as a visiting artist at McNeese State University, offering guidance for both guest artists and host institutions. It emphasizes the mutual benefits of such programs, noting that visiting artists bring fresh ideas, renewed energy, and new perspectives, while also gaining opportunities for professional growth and creative exploration. The discussion outlines practical considerations, including aligning artistic philosophy with the host institution, clarifying workload expectations, and understanding available facilities, budgets, and schedules before accepting an engagement. Attention is given to the importance of recognizing limitations, valuing differences, and negotiating fair compensation and accommodations. The …

Grade Inflation In Communication Graduate Education, David M. Berg

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article investigates whether grade inflation is a concern in graduate communication programs, drawing on responses from Big Ten universities. Department chairs reported that grade inflation was not a significant issue, though many noted the increasing use of incompletes, which sometimes substitute for lower grades and complicate evaluations. Data from several institutions showed graduate grade point averages consistently ranging from the mid-3.4s to high-3.6s, with communication programs often slightly higher than university-wide averages. Some administrators interpreted these results as evidence of strong students, while others suggested that grades may no longer distinguish levels of ability. The discussion emphasizes that while …

Pluralism In Educational Theatre, Betty Jean Jones

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article explores strategies for increasing minority participation in theatre performance training at predominantly white colleges and universities. Drawing on Stanislavski’s concept of the “circle of attention,” it argues that recruitment, retention, and casting must be approached holistically to foster diversity and inclusion. The discussion emphasizes that opportunities for minority students must extend beyond admission to meaningful casting and curricular integration, supported by institutional commitment. Broader issues such as the decline of Black Studies programs, the shortage of minority faculty, and campus racial tensions are linked to the challenge of achieving pluralism in educational theatre. Non-traditional casting, community collaboration, and …

Recruiting Minority Students, Bob Yowell

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reflects on the difficulties of recruiting minority students into university theatre programs, using experiences at an urban southern institution as a case study. Despite significant minority enrollment at the university and outreach through performance groups, theatre struggled to attract Black majors. The discussion suggests strategies such as integrated casting, hiring more Black faculty, building ties with community organizations, and offering targeted scholarships. Broader systemic barriers, including inequities in primary and secondary education and persistent economic disparities, are identified as major obstacles limiting interest in theatre among minority students. The article argues that lasting change will require long-term societal …

Why Are You So Happy?, Samuel L. Becker, Douglas M. Trank

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reports findings from a national survey of communication department chairs examining factors that influence job satisfaction. Respondents generally indicated moderate to high satisfaction, with little variation across institutional types. However, the type of college housing the department affected satisfaction, with chairs in social sciences reporting the highest levels and those in performing arts the lowest. The most significant concerns across institutions were budgetary issues, including funds for equipment, travel, and general expenses, along with shortages of faculty. Analysis showed that perceptions of how departments were valued by higher administrators strongly influenced satisfaction, especially at master’s and doctoral-granting institutions. …

Effects Of Grade Inflation On Communication Education: Service Courses, Jim D. Hughey

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the issue of grade inflation and deflation in communication service courses, framing it as a balance between the values of democracy and excellence. The democratic approach, associated with assigning higher grades, was influenced by the expansion of higher education in the 1960s and 1970s and the goal of motivating diverse students. The excellence approach, tied to stricter grading, reflects calls for accountability and quality in the 1980s, including national initiatives for assessment and standards. Using data from lower-division courses at Oklahoma State University, the discussion shows trends toward tougher grading but notes discrepancies between the basic speech …

Effects Of Grade Inflation On Speech Communication Majors, Robert C. Dick

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines grade inflation in communication and theatre programs, situating the issue within broader trends in higher education. While national studies have shown rising undergraduate grades despite declining SAT scores, departmental data from Indiana University reveal both periods of grade inflation and more recent declines. The discussion highlights multiple causes, including liberal withdrawal policies, student pressure for career-oriented courses, faculty differences in grading philosophy, and fears of poor student evaluations. Special attention is given to challenges in performance-based courses where instructors may be tempted to inflate grades to protect student self-esteem. Potential consequences include disadvantaging strong students, undermining credibility …

Minority Recruitment For Performance Programs, Fred Behringer

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the challenges and opportunities of minority recruitment and retention in higher education, with a focus on theatre programs at predominantly white institutions. It highlights national trends of declining minority enrollment and the pressures placed on colleges to meet desegregation goals, which sometimes create tension with historically Black institutions. Traditional recruitment strategies, often shaped by white middle-class assumptions, are critiqued as ineffective in reaching new pools of talent. A pilot summer theatre workshop at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is described as a model for community-based recruitment, emphasizing partnerships with Black organizations, personal outreach, and visible institutional …

A Study Of Quantity Of Articles Produced In The Communication Discipline By Institution, 1980 Through 1985 Part 1, Kittie W. Watson, Larry L. Barker, Vernon O. Ray, Robert N. Hall

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reports findings from a national study of publication productivity in speech communication for the years 1980–1985. Using data from ten leading journals, institutional output was measured by assigning publication points, with adjustments for multiple authorship. The results identify the top fifty universities contributing to research in the discipline, showing that large doctoral-granting institutions dominated the rankings, while smaller colleges and junior colleges did not appear. The analysis also introduced a ratio comparing the number of contributing authors to total publication points, providing insight into whether output was concentrated among a few individuals or spread across larger faculties. While …

Drama Teacher Certification Is Everybody's Problem, Bob Yowell

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the challenges of theatre teacher certification and oral communication requirements in Alabama, highlighting systemic barriers to the growth of theatre education. Certification typically requires coursework across theatre and speech, yet few students pursue this path due to limited job opportunities. State policy mandates one semester of oral communication in schools, but implementation is inconsistent, often ignored due to lack of qualified faculty or resources. A current proposal to merge oral communication into broader language arts curricula risks diminishing attention to speech and theatre, particularly since English teachers dominate the process. The discussion critiques the weak lobbying presence …