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

CSI Core Courses
CSI 1111Introduction to Public Speaking3
or CSI 1911 Honors Introduction to Public Speaking
CSI 1112Introduction to Communication and Social Influence3
CSI 1113Persuasion3
CSI 2111Argumentation and Advocacy3
CSI 2112Social Influence Inquiry3
Subject Areas
Select six courses from the three subject areas of Civic Engagement, Conflict Communication, and Risk Communication.18
One course in each of the three subject areas (9 credits)
Three other courses in any subject areas (9 credits)
Course levels for the six subject area courses should be selected as follows:
One 1000-level course
Two 2000-level courses 1
Two 3000-level courses 1
One 4000-level course
Civic Engagement Courses
Communication and Civic Engagement
The Meaningful Enjoyment of Civic Life
Resistance, Protests, and Social Movements (WI)
Rhetoric and Civic Culture
Speechwriting (WI)
Communication, Attitudes, and Opinion
Conflict Communication Courses
Conflict and Communication Behavior
Intercultural and Cross Cultural Conflict
Civil Disobedience
Social Activism and Community Organizing
Conflict and Influence: Identity, Emotion and Power
Multiparty Conflict Proceses: Dialogue, Facilitation and Multiparty Mediation
Risk Communication Courses
Communication and Behavior Change
Rhetoric of Hate and Violence
Risk Communication (WI)
Misperceptions and Misinformation
Communicating Science in Today's World
Narrative Persuasion
Supporting Areas
At least 1 culture course3
Intercultural Communication
Communication, Culture and Identity
At least 1 method course3
Social Science Research Methods of Social Influence
Rhetorical Criticism (WI)
Experience Course
Select one of the following:3
Study Away Internship
Internship
Practicum
Directed Research
Senior Seminar
CSI 4111Senior Seminar3
Total Credit Hours45
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

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CSI 1111
Introduction to Public Speaking
or Honors Introduction to Public Speaking
3
CSI 1112 Introduction to Communication and Social Influence 3
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ 4
KLN 1001 Klein First-Year Seminar 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CSI 1113 Persuasion 3
CSI 2111 Argumentation and Advocacy 3
KLN 1002 Klein College Introduction to Professional Development 1
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
CSI 2112 Social Influence Inquiry 3
CSI 1000-level Subject Area Course 3
CSI 2000-level Subject Area Course 1 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CSI 2000-level Subject Area Course 1 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
CSI 3000-level Subject Area Course 1 3
CSI 3000-level Subject Area Course 1 3
CSI Supporting Area Course (Method) 3
Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CSI Supporting Area Course (Culture) 3
CSI Experience Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Electives 4
 Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
CSI 4000-level Subject Area Course 3
Electives 13
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CSI 4111 Senior Seminar 3
Electives 13
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours124
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.

Common Course
Select one of the following:3
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
Klein International/Intercultural courses
Select three of the following:9
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR courses taken as part of a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan).
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR International Internship completed as part of a Klein GO Program
Intercultural and Cross Cultural Conflict
Communication, Culture and Identity
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace (if not used to fulfill common course requirement above)
International Reporting
Journalism and Globalization
Media and Cultural Differences
Communication and Development
Information Society
Global Media
Global Communication and Leadership
International/Intercultural Electives outside of Klein
Note: Satisfying the GenEd World Society requirement by completing a Study Abroad does not also satisfy this requirement.
Choose any two (2) courses of the following:6-8
Up to any two foreign language courses
Any non-Klein courses at the 2000-level or higher taken in a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan).
Any non-Klein internship taken in a Klein GO International Program
Anthropology
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan
The Anthropology of Modern China
The Anthropology of Modern China
Peoples of Latin America
Peoples of Latin America
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
Art History
Roman Art and Archaeology
Greek and Roman Sculpture
Early Modern Italy and Spain in the 17th Century
Northern and Global Baroque Art: Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer
Transnational Impressionisms
Modern Art, 1900-1945
Arts of Asia
History of Art in Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Art and Culture in Ancient Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Wonders of Rome: Art and Culture of the Baroque Era (Study Abroad - Rome)
Galleries and Studios of Rome (Study Abroad - Rome)
Arts of Asia (Study Abroad - Japan)
Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period (Study Abroad - Japan)
Asian Studies
Practical Asian Society and Culture
Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868
Tokyo in Literature and Film
Tokyo in Literature and Film
Japanese Literature in Film
Japanese Literature in Film
Japan in a Changing World
South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences
Japanese Culture
Japanese Culture
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to Asian Business
Ideology and Social Change in Japan
Ideology and Social Change in Japan
China: State and Society
China: State and Society
Contemporary China
Contemporary China
Japan Today
Japan Today
Women and Society in Japan
Women and Society in Japan
Film & Media Arts
International Cinema
Geography & Urban Studies
Urban Systems in a Global Economy
African Development
East and South Asia
Geography of East and South Asia
International Urbanization
Environmental Problems in Asia
Environmental Problems in Asia
Environmental Problems in Asia
Geography of Travel and Tourism
Transportation & Culture
History
History of Central Europe, 1618-1871
Central Europe Through Wars and Revolution, 1848-1989
Introduction to East Asia: China
Introduction to East Asia: China
Introduction to East Asia: Japan
Introduction to East Asia: Japan
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
Introduction to African History
Introduction to Latin America
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
Modern Islamic History
Third World Issues through Film
Irish History
History of England
Russia: Nationality and Empire
Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire
Southern Africa: A History
The Chinese Revolution
Modern India
History of Vietnam
History of Brazil
History of Brazil
Contemporary Mexico
Contemporary Mexico
Israel: History, Politics and Society
Modern Middle East
Third World Women's Lives
Jewish Studies
Jewish Diaspora/Survey of Jewish History
Latin American Studies
Latin America through Film and Fiction
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Fundamentals of Latin American Business
Fundamentals of Latin American Business
Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America
Sociology of Music: Nation, Race, Class and Gender in Argentina and Brazil
"Other Voices" in Latin American Literature
Caribbean Literature and Culture
African Culture in Brazil
Political Science
Contemporary Politics of Europe
Eastern Europe, Russia and the West
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Comparative Public Policy
Politics of International Law
Politics of the Global Economy
International Organization
British Government and Politics
Mideast Politics
East Asia and the United States
East Asia and the United States
International Environmental Policy
International Environmental Policy
Religion
Religion and Human Sexuality
Religion in Film
Indian Philosophies and Religions
Religions of India
Introduction to Buddhism
Introduction to Buddhism
Chinese Religions - Confucius to Mao
Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Introduction to Judaism
Introduction to Judaism
Kabbalah and Mysticism
Kabbalah and Mysticism
Jesus in the Media
Introduction to Islam
Religion in Contemporary Africa
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen
Japanese Religions
Japanese Religions
The Philosophies of Judaism
The Philosophies of Judaism
The Islamic State
Women in Islam
Islamic Mysticism
African Religions and New World Culture
Total Credit Hours18-20

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