Strategic Communication

Deborah A. Cai, Ph.D., Chair
Weiss Hall 215
215-204-1882

debcai@temple.edu

http://sct.temple.edu/web/strc/

The Department of Strategic Communication 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 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 students starting in the 2011-2012 academic year are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) 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 Attribute 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Requirements for a Minor in Leadership

The Leadership Minor consists of six courses (18 s.h.) to provide students in other programs at Temple University the opportunity to better prepare them for life after graduation by gaining the knowledge and skill sets required to communicate effectively and lead at the organizational, team, and individual levels.

The mission of the Leadership Minor is to help students to understand that leadership is a communication and relational process, not a position. Viewed in this way, leadership requires responsible, thoughtful reflection and action from all levels of society, not just those in positions. This approach requires competencies in self-awareness, team skills, ethical decision-making, as well as the ability to generate a vision and lead with, through, and for others to bring about positive change.

Suggested Semester By Semester Plans

Please note that these are suggested academic plans. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Organizational Leadership)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2011-2012 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Public Communication)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2011-2012 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Public Relations)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2011-2012 Academic Year