Enhance your degree by taking an elective or GenEd course in media and communication

Are you an english major who wants to analyze writing in the media? Are you a political science major who wants to use effective communication to enact social change? Are you a marketing major who wants to learn Adobe Creative Suite? 

Klein has you covered! 

Media and communication are important tools in our ever-changing world. Employers seek graduates with a mix of deep disciplinary skills and knowledge. Whether you are asked to analyze media trends, understand the effects of journalism on communities, or develop consistent organizational branding, having an educational foundation in media and communication can serve your wide-ranging interests and career goals.

At Klein College of Media and Communication, we can help you gain that foundation, even if you aren’t in one of our academic majors or minor programs, through Temple’s General Education (GenEd) Program that provides a foundation for learning and development practices that help students succeed academically and professionally. 

Klein offers several options for general education electives in media and communication, including:

• Advertising and Globalization, fulfilling world society general ed requirement 
• Contemporary American Social Movements, fulfilling US society general ed requirement
• Interpersonal Communication for Professional and Personal Success, fulfilling human behavior general ed requirement
• The Future of Your TV, fulfilling arts general ed requirement 
• Latin American Media, fulfilling world society general ed requirement
• Media in a Hyper-Mediated World, fulfilling human behavior general ed requirement 

Each of these general education courses, along with a dozen other media and communication elective options such as public speaking and video production for non-majors, can enhance your degree by introducing you to new innovative practices and thought. 

Eplore Klein Electives and GenED Courses

Contemporary American Social Movements
Communication and Social Influence, CSI 801, GU: US Society

Contemporary American Social Movement introduces students to the study of contemporary American social movements from a communication perspective. The primary focus is on the symbolic strategies social movements use to attract members, address counter-movements, and engage dominant social institutions. The course progresses through three sections: a discussion of the characteristics and types of social movements, an examination of the persuasive tactics used by social movements, and an analysis of the persuasive materials/tactics used by social movements. These materials and tactics include documentaries, speeches, videos, social media posts as well as protests, campaigns, and violent acts. The course also teaches students how to understand social movements using perspectives from political science, sociology, and economics/business.

The Future of Your TV
GA: Arts or AR: Arts, Media Studies and Production, MSP 821

What is the future of your TV and what kinds of programming will you see in the next two years? Television is not going away but how, where and when we interact with TV changes constantly. What roles do blogs, podcasts, YouTube, Netflix and new digital technologies have in furthering television into a medium where consumers drive content? Through lectures, students learn about these changes; in small groups, you will take the driver's seat as a critic and creator of content.

Latin American Media
Media Studies and Production, MSP 823, GG: World Society or IS: International Studies

From the music of Shakira and Pitbull to Bart Simpson's bad Spanish (no problemo!) and the cross-over appeal of Modern Family's Sofia Vergara, Latin American influences are increasingly evident in U.S. media and culture. The influence goes both ways: U.S. media and culture have had great impact in Latin America. This course focuses on Latin American media as key institutions within the region and also as they interact with the United States. Media systems are so intertwined with society that understanding them requires understanding where they come from, so we will look at Latin America itself first - Where is it? What are its characteristics? Latin American Media will then examine Latin American media and the ways that Latin American people have reacted to U.S. influence. Students will also explore the growing presence of Latino media in the U.S. and in Philadelphia. 

Interpersonal Communication
Communication and Social Influence, CSI 836, GB: Human Behavior

Interpersonal Communication will help students enhance their interpersonal communication competence so they have successful interactactions with with family, friends and work colleagues. Throughout the course, students will assess their own communication skills and develop and set personal goals and an action plan by which to create the change they wish to see. Students will learn the basic components of interpersonal communication situations (communicators, content, and contexts) and will investigate how interpersonal communication needs and effectiveness change throughout life (in early childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and old age). 

Advertising and Globalization
Advertising, ADV 853, GG: World Society

Advertising and Globalization will explore the current global scope and reach of advertising in the connected, digital age. Through this course, students will study major interdisciplinary themes related to the spread of consumerism, self and social identity, global consciousness, and cross-cultural effects as a result of the worldwide spread of advertising as part of the free market system. Particular attention is given to cross-cultural issues related to cultural imperialism, legal and societal constraints, ethical questions, universal values and green marketing.

Media in a Hyper-Mediated World
Klein College, KLN 873, GB: Human Behavior

The Internet-fueled democratization of media creation has enabled anyone to be a publisher, and has given audiences almost infinite choices -- with both great and questionable effects. In a world of information abundance, it can be difficult to discern fact from opinion and truth from fiction. We need to know how to wade through this barrage of information with a critical eye, to be better informed and ultimately become creators of media ourselves. Media in a Hyper-Mediated World will help students navigate 21st century media, starting by becoming active users of media, not just passive consumers. Students will employ principles of media literacy in analyzing and creating messages on a variety of topics using a combination of writing, image production, sound production and creative work with digital media. In order to become active participants in an information society, students will examine the factors that assist them in acting responsibly in media environments.