Strategic & Organizational Communication

Aram A. Aghazarian, Chair
Weiss Hall 213
215-204-1882

aram.aghazarian@temple.edu

www.temple.edu/sct/stoc/

The Department of Strategic and Organizational Communication (STOC) educates students in the theory and practice of public communication and leadership, with the primary emphasis on communication and social influence or advocacy.  The department’s three concentrations focus on persuasion, communication in organizations, and communication strategies for influencing internal and external audiences.

Summary of Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Strategic and Organizational Communication by recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a cumulative average of 2.0 overall and in the major.  Students must meet: 

1. University requirements:

• New freshman students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
• New transfer students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the Core curriculum.
• All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed below and identified with the code "WI" in the RCI column.

2. School of Communications and Theater requirements
3. Major requirements in the department

Department Requirements

All majors must complete at least 36 credit hours in Strategic and Organizational Communication, including the department’s four core courses (12 hours). Students must earn a "C" or better in the department's four core courses and a "C-" or better in all other courses required for the major.

Department Concentrations

The department offers three concentrations: Organizational Leadership, Public Communication, and Public Relations.  In addition to completing the department core, students must select a concentration and complete the concentration core, advanced courses in the concentration, and courses in the other two concentrations.  Students may also be required to complete courses outside the department.

Organizational Leadership Concentration

The concentration in Organizational Leadership provides students with a thorough grounding in organizational and small-group communication.  Students’ coursework in these areas will incorporate a special focus on both the theories and skills needed for the creation and maintenance of fruitful leader/follower relationships.

Suggested Semester-by-Semester Plan for Organizational Leadership Concentration:

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

Fourth Year:

*Select three (3) courses from those marked with an asterisk.

Public Communication Concentration

The Public Communication concentration provides students with theory and practice in social influence.  Students learn theories of advocacy in a variety of settings, gain experience in critical analysis of persuasive messages, and develop skills in creating strategic communications.

Suggested Semester-by-Semester Plan for Public Communication Concentration:

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

Fourth Year:

*Select two (2) courses from those with an asterisk.

Public Relations Concentration

Public Relations is about using communication techniques to influence behavior and attitudes. The concentration combines public relations classes with requirements in public speaking, leadership, persuasion, and communication theory, and is satisfied through completion of 36 semester hours in the major.

Suggested Semester-by-Semester Plan for Public Relations Concentration:

First Year:

Second Year:

Third Year:

Fourth Year: