MEVIT4121 – Media in China

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

Market driven newspapers, glossy magazines, reality TV and talent shows, Rock n?Roll music flash video and celebrity spoof clips from the Internet. China has become increasingly visible in the global media system. The course aims to provide some teaching about the world?s largest national media system.

The course analyzes the origin and characteristics of different Chinese media forms, the changing role of journalism and journalists, the development of media institutions, and the dynamics between media, state and society in the country.

The topics in the course cover press, broadcasting, cinema and new media in China. Some of the issues are: How is the shifting balance between economics and politics in regard to the emergence of the contemporary media system? What is the relationship between the state and the media? How is the explosion of self-expression on the platform of new media? How has piracy affected the Chinese movie industry?

Learning outcome

The students shall develop a critical understanding of the key features of Chinese media development
? in a historical and contemporary context
? in an international and comparative perspective.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.

Teaching

Coursework will consist of lectures and seminar discussions.
The lectures in the course will not go through the curriculum in any detail, but rather consist of discussions and additional perspectives to the texts that form the basis of the course. Consequently students are expected to read and make use of the curriculum and other relevant texts both in their studies and exams.


There will be guest lectures from specialists in the field of Chinese media.


The seminars will be organised as workshops on researching Chinese media and creating a course blog on researching Chinese media.

10 credits equal seven weeks of full time studies.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Term paper up to 10 pages (á 2300 characters without spaces), which all students are expected to answer in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Autumn 2009
Examination
Autumn 2009
Teaching language
English