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:
- University requirements:
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001.
- Minimum 45 credit hours in Communication and Social Influence.
- Maximum 59 credit hours may be taken in Communication and Social Influence courses.
- A grade of C- or higher must be attained in all required Communication and Social Influence courses.
- No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credits may be applied to Communication and Social Influence requirements.
- No more than 8 credits may be taken in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.
Communication and Social Influence Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSI Core Courses | ||
| CSI 1111 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| or CSI 1911 | Honors Introduction to Public Speaking | |
| CSI 1112 | Introduction to Communication and Social Influence | 3 |
| CSI 1113 | Persuasion | 3 |
| CSI 2111 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 |
| CSI 2112 | Social Influence Inquiry | 3 |
| 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 course | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication, Culture and Identity | ||
| At least 1 method course | 3 | |
| 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 4111 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
| 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
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CSI 1111 or 1911 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| CSI 1112 | Introduction to Communication and Social Influence | 3 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| KLN 1001 | Klein First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSI 1113 | Persuasion | 3 |
| CSI 2111 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSI 2112 | Social Influence Inquiry | 3 |
| CSI 1000-level Subject Area Course | 3 | |
| CSI 2000-level Subject Area Course1 | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSI 2000-level Subject Area Course1 | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSI 3000-level Subject Area Course1 | 3 | |
| CSI 3000-level Subject Area Course1 | 3 | |
| CSI Supporting Area Course (Method) | 3 | |
| Electives | 7 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSI Supporting Area Course (Culture) | 3 | |
| CSI Experience Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSI 4000-level Subject Area Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 13 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSI 4111 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Electives | 13 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 124 | |
| 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. |