Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Social Influence

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

The Communication and Social Influence (CSI) major 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.

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.
  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

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

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CSI 1111 or 1911Introduction to Public Speaking3
CSI 1112Introduction to Communication and Social Influence3
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]4
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ]4
KLN 1001Klein First-Year Seminar1
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
CSI 1113Persuasion3
CSI 2111Argumentation and Advocacy3
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
CSI 2112Social Influence Inquiry3
CSI 1000-level Subject Area Course3
CSI 2000-level Subject Area Course13
IH 0852 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
CSI 2000-level Subject Area Course13
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Electives6
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
CSI 3000-level Subject Area Course13
CSI 3000-level Subject Area Course13
CSI Supporting Area Course (Method)3
Electives7
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CSI Supporting Area Course (Culture)3
CSI Experience Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Electives4
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
CSI 4000-level Subject Area Course3
Electives13
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CSI 4111Senior Seminar3
Electives13
 Term Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours: 124