Overview

Utilizing Temple's unique setting as an urban institution, the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Social Influence (CSI), which is offered by the Department of Communication and Social Influence, prepares students to be public communication leaders in urban settings defined by their civic engagement, risk and conflict management. The civic engagement area focuses on communication of socio-political activities and community advocacy. The risk area deals with communication about health, science, environment, and security. The conflict area focuses on community, institutional, organizational, and conflict analyses and appropriate conflict management. Infused across these areas is a core aspect of urban environments—social justice and diversity. The Communication and Social Influence major shapes tomorrow's communication professionals who wish to help bring about positive social change, and prepares students for law school and graduate programs, as well as working in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

An optional concentration in International Communication is available for this major.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: CO-CSI-BA

Contact Information

R. Lance Holbert, Chair
Thomas Wright, Assistant Chair

Demaris A. Watford, Senior Administrative Specialist
dwatford@temple.edu

Communication and Social Influence Department Office
Weiss Hall, Room 216
215-204-7540

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Social Influence.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Communication and Social Influence by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 overall and in the major.

Students must meet:

1. University requirements:
   • All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
   • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses in their major at Temple University. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are CSI 2296, CSI 2696, CSI 3296, and CSI 3896.
2. Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
3. Minimum 45 credit hours in Communication and Social Influence.
4. Maximum 59 credit hours may be taken in Communication and Social Influence courses.
5. A grade of C- or higher must be attained in all required Communication and Social Influence courses.
6. No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credits may be applied to Communication and Social Influence requirements.
7. No more than 8 credits may be taken in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.

Communication and Social Influence Requirements

¹

If CSI 3896 is selected as the method course, one writing-intensive (WI) course must be selected from among the subject area course choices. If CSI 3896 is not selected, then two WI courses must be selected.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Social Influence

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

¹

If CSI 3896 is selected as the method course, one writing-intensive (WI) course must be selected from among the subject area course choices. If CSI 3896 is not selected, then two WI courses must be selected.

Optional Concentration

The optional International Communication Concentration (ICC) provides a theoretical and practical education in international and intercultural communication and media. This program allows students to develop sought-after competencies in cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills by encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural lenses. Students participating in the ICC program will be exposed to multiple international perspectives through internationally- and interculturally-oriented courses offered on Temple's domestic campuses and may be supplemented with study abroad coursework.

This concentration is restricted to Klein students only.

Requirements

To earn the International Communication Concentration transcript notation, a student must successfully complete a total of 18-20 credits of International / Intercultural studies courses, a maximum 9 credits of which may come from courses transferred into Temple, across 3 areas. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the concentration must be passed with a C- or better.

Contact Information

Jack Klotz, MSP Faculty Advisor
Annenberg Hall, Room 115
215-204-5823
jklotz@temple.edu

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated program is available to students in the Communication and Social Influence BA:

Lew Klein College of Media and Communication

• Journalism MJ