Strategic Communication

Cornelius Pratt, Ph.D., APR, 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 in four concentrations that focus on a general sequence, as well as on persuasion and political culture, communication in organizations, and communication strategies. Their overarching goal is to influence internal and external audiences.

Summary of Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Strategic Communication by the 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 2013-2014 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 Strategic Communication 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 deemed enrolled in the general sequence of Strategic Communication.

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 comprises six courses (18 s.h.) that provide students in other Temple University programs the opportunity to better prepare for life after graduation by acquiring the knowledge and skills required to communicate effectively and to lead at the organizational, team, and individual levels.

The goal of the Leadership Minor is to help students to understand that leadership is a communication and relational process, not a position. Viewed that way, leadership requires responsible, thoughtful reflection and action at all societal levels. That also requires competencies in being self-aware, in managing teams, in making ethical decisions, and leading with an intent to engender, positive change. 

Requirements for a Minor in Public Relations

The Public Relations minor consists of seven courses (21 s.h.) that 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 goal of the Public Relations minor is to help students to understand that public relations is a communication and relational process, not a position. Viewed this way, public relations requires responsible, thoughtful reflection and action from all levels of organizations, not just those in leadership positions. This approach requires competencies of self-awareness, oral and written communication skills, ethical decision-making and action, and the ability to understand audiences and generate mutual win-win scenarios using a variety of communication tools to generate a vision and lead with, through, and for others to bring about positive change.

This program will build both knowledge and skills for students to understand true public relations, e.g., "relating" to publics in a meaningful two-way dialogue built on mutual trust and respect, and be able to effectively formulate a position and influence and empower others. They will be able to use the knowledge gained from this program to bridge the divide between the theoretical and practical application in the business they work in and the communities they serve.

This minor will be available in spring 2014.

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 2013-2014 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Organizational Leadership)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2013-2014 Academic Year

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

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2013-2014 Academic Year

Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication (Public Relations)

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2013-2014 Academic Year