Description
This course deals with mainland China’s media content, the way in which it is created, and its effect on public opinion. The course approach is topical: students will 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.
The course will be taught in English. A good command of standard Chinese is required for the analysis of Chinese media content.
This course is recommended (though not required) for students who wish to take the BA3 second semester module “Visual Political Communication in China”.
Entry requirements
There are no official entry requirements for BA 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.
Timetable
Timetable
First semester, Monday 9.00 – 11.00
Location Lipsius 208
Method of Instruction
Seminar.
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.
Literature
The following books are required reading for this course (both are available on the course shelf 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.
Kolker, Robert (2009): Media Studies – An Introduction, Malden & Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Additional course readings will be announced during the introduction session of the course.
Examination
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.
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
Enrollment
Enroll on time for this course via U-twist.
Course load
5 EC * 28 hours = 140 hours
The work-load for this course will roughly be as follows:
Seminar time: 24 hours
Reading and preparation: 40 hours
Course work: 36 hours
Writing the final paper: 40 hours
Total: 140 hours
Blackboard
The module will make use of blackboard for course communication, general course proceedings, and information on reading material as well as assessment criteria.