Description
This course deals with mainland China’s media system and the way in which it shapes public opinion. The course approach is topical: students will first be introduced to various theories concerning the general relevance of the media in society, and will examine in particular how China’s media system has been reformed throughout the last decades. They will then move on to detailed analyses of specific media sectors and their products (newspapers, radio broadcasting, television), and will explore how various forces (social, political, economic) interact to create media content, particularly news content. The aim of the course is to establish under which constraints (censorship, legal frameworks, market forces, audience receptions) the Chinese media work today, and what kind of media discourses the interplay of these constraints produces.
Teaching method
Seminar
Admission requirements
There are no official entry requirements for Master students wishing to take this module. Experience with political science, economics, or media studies will be helpful, however students with no previous exposure to these fields will be able to acquire the necessary knowledge throughout the course. A good command of standard Chinese is required for the analysis of Chinese media content.
Course objectives
Participants in this course will acquire the following:
An understanding of media science, political science, and economics approaches to the analysis of China’s media.
The ability to examine Chinese media products with regard to their production, distribution, content, and reception.
The tools for the analysis of various media contents, ranging from newspaper articles to television programmes.
An understanding of how cultural, political, social, historical, and economic factors interact to influence the creation of media content in China.
Course load
The work-load for this course will roughly be as follows:
Seminar time: 24 hours
Reading and preparation: 140 hours
Course work: 36 hours
Writing the final paper: 80 hours
Total: 280 hours### Required reading
The following books are required reading for this course (both are available in the Sinology library):
Zhao, Yuezhi (1998), Media, Market, and Democracy in China: Between the Party Line and the Bottom Line, Urbana and Chicago, IL: University of Illinois Press.
He, Qinglian (2008), The Fog of Censorship : Media Control in China, New York : Human Rights in China.
Additional course readings will be announced during the introduction session of the course.
Test method
In order to pass this course, the following will be required of the participants:
Regular course assignments (40% of final mark).
Research paper (60% of final mark).
Regular, punctual attendance, thorough preparation of reading material, and continuous course participation are also expected.
Time table
See the timetable on the departemental website.
Monday: 13:00-15:00 (see departmental website for location)
Contact
For questions or additional information please contact your study coordinator, or the lecturer:
Florian Schneider
Office Location: Arsenaal 009
Email: f.a.schneider@umail.leidenuniv.nl
Phone: +31 (0)71 527-2544
Registration
Through U-TWIST
Blackboard
The module will make use of blackboard for course communication, general course proceedings, and information on reading material as well as assessment criteria.
Remarks
None