China in the Media: A Clash of Narratives

Code

MLAC3184

School

Modern Languages and Cultures

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

After assuming his role as General Secretary in 2013 Xi Jinping stated in a meeting on propaganda and ideology that the task ahead was to "tell China’s story well, and properly disseminate China’s voice." It marked the beginning of an intensified global propaganda campaign. In stark contrast in recent years we have also witnessed an intensification of western media reporting about topics which typically are considered taboo in the Chinese domestic discourse. 

This module will juxtapose 'official' and 'unofficial' narratives about China. Drawing on a wide range of domestic and international media sources you will go beyond the news headlines and learn to put media reports in their historical, political, social, and cultural contexts. Drawing on a wide range of analytical frameworks and heuristic toolkits you will be enabled to decode the official and unofficial narratives about China.  

You will learn how to synthesize insights gained from official Chinese media, unofficial and more independent Chinese sources as well as international media reports about China. The topics and cases may vary every year, but typically will include foreign affairs and international relations; technology and business; cultural and creative industries, as well as social policy issues ranging from health, education to social security etc.  

In addition to the semantic analysis of media reports this module will also provide you with a comprehensive introduction to key institutions of China’s media system under the conditions of one-party rule. You will familiarise yourself with the interplay between political institutions and resulting media narratives.

A single coursework assessment will replace all failed assessment components at the reassessment stage.

Target Students

Available for finalists of Joint Honours in Contemporary Chinese Studies. Also available to International Media and Communications students with sufficient competency in Mandarin, Exchange students, or home/EU students of Chinese heritage.Since this module examines both English and Chinese sources, participants will need to have acquired sufficient Mandarin skills to read and understand news reports (CEFR B1-B2).

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 20 weeks
• One 1-hour lecture each week for 20 weeks

The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Moodle and in module handbooks.

Assessment

• 20% Presentation 1: A group presentation at the end of Autumn semester.
• 30% Project 1: Based on the news items provided, please submit a final 1000-word report in English.
• 50% Coursework 1: A 2000-word essay.

Assessed in both autumn & spring semest

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:  

Develop your knowledge about key institutions of China’s media system under the conditions of one-party rule. (A2) 

Be able to explain the interplay between political institutions and resulting media narratives. (A3) 

Be able to draw on a wide range of analytical frameworks and heuristic toolkits which will enable you to decode official and unofficial narratives about China. (A3) 

Develop the skill to synthesize insights gained from official Chinese media, unofficial and more independent Chinese sources as well as international media reports about China. (B1) 
 

Intellectual Skills:  

Be able to engage critically with China related reports about current affairs in traditional media as well as social media. (B1, B2) 

Apply insights from the academic literature as well as selected analytical frameworks and heuristic toolkits to specific media reports. (B5) 
 

Professional and Practical Skills:  

Be able to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely both in oral and written manner to non-academic audiences. (B8, D1) 

Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key processes and criteria required to produce blog posts. (B8) 
 

Transferrable Skills:  

Enhance your overall media literacy and independent research skills. (B4) 

Enhance teamwork and collaboration skills. (D4, D5) 

Enhance reflection and reflexivity skills. (D9) 

Conveners

• Ms Sujing Xu