Strategic Communication

Cornelius Pratt, Ph.D., Chair
Weiss Hall 215
215-204-3214

cbpratt@temple.edu

http://smc.temple.edu/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 offers a bachelor's degree along with three concentrations that focus on persuasion, communication in organizations, and communication strategies for influencing internal and external audiences as well as a general concentration.

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 2012-2013 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 Media and Communication requirements
3. Major requirements in the department

• No more than 12 STRC credits can be transferred to the major.

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. Until students choose a concentration within Strategic Communication, they are enrolled in the general Strategic Communication major.

Department Concentrations

The department offers the general sequence and three optional concentrations: Organizational Leadership, Public Relations, and Rhetoric and Public Advocacy.  In addition to completing the department core, students may select and fulfill the requirements of a concentration.  Students are also required to complete courses outside the school.

Strategic Communication General Sequence

Requirements for the general sequence in Strategic Communication include the following courses in addition to the Department Core requirements.

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.

Rhetoric and Public Advocacy Concentration

The Rhetoric and Public Advocacy 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 (General Sequence)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2012-2013 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Organizational Leadership)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2012-2013 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Rhetoric and Public Advocacy)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2012-2013 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Public Relations)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2012-2013 Academic Year