FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Master’s Degree Programmes
Communication and New Media
Year I
Compulsory Courses, Semester I:
COMM701 Theories of Mass Communication
COMM702 Research Methods of Mass Communication
COMM706 New Media and Communication Studies
3 Elective Courses, Semester II:
students choose courses from the Elective Course list in Communication
Total Credits
Year II
(Academic or Creative Thesis)
2 Elective Courses, Semester I:
Compulsory Courses, Semester II:
students choose to write an Academic or Creative Thesis
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
3
9
18
Credits
6
6
12
OR
Year II
(Applied Thesis)
3 Elective Courses, Semester I:
Credits
9
Compulsory Courses, Semester II:
Applied Thesis
Total Credits
3
12
Compulsory Courses
COMM701 Theories of Mass Communication
COMM702 Research Methods of Mass Communication
COMM706 New Media and Communication Studies
COMM797 Applied Thesis
COMM798 Creative Thesis
OR
COMM799 Academic Thesis
3
3
3
3
6
6
Elective Courses
COMM703 Communication Patterns and Culture in Greater China
COMM704 International and Intercultural Communication
COMM705 Public Opinion
COMM707 Special Topics on Journalism and E-News
COMM708 Special Topics on Advertising
COMM709 Special Topics on Public Relations
3
3
3
3
3
3
COMM711
COMM712
COMM714
COMM715
COMM716
COMM717
COMM718
COMM719
COMM720
Communication and Social Change
Media Functions and Management
Professional Writing in English
Digital Media
Special Topics on Communication and Society
Special Topics on Communication and Culture
Special Topics on Communication Research
Creative and Cultural Industries: A Media Studies Approach
Internship
~ For course description, please refer to page 3 below.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
~
Course Description
COMM701 THEORIES OF MASS COMMUNICATION
This course is designed to introduce the basic concepts and logic of communication
theories with a specific emphasis on linking theoretical concepts to applied communication
practices and issues. It serves three inter-related objectives. First, it aims at providing the
students critical perspectives of communication problems. Second, it attempts to draw
connections between theoretical concepts and practices in various applied areas, including
news and entertainment production, advertising, public relations, and public information.
Third, it prepares students to approach other courses in the programme and their final
graduation thesis or project.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM702 RESEARCH METHODS OF MASS COMMUNICATION
Introduction to applied media research, research criticism, data interpretation, and
fundamentals of audience analysis. Topics include: surveys, content analysis,
experimental test of programmes, field research, and formative evaluation.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM703 COMMUNICATION PATTERNS AND CULTURE IN GREATER CHINA
This course focuses on the history of Chinese Communication developments, special
features of Chinese communication structure, trends and issues of Chinese media,
traditional and modern. Both behavioral and historical approaches will be utilized in such
analysis. Emphasis is on contemporary China.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM704 INTERNATIONAL AND INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
This course examiners contemporary issues in international and intercultural
communication and the driving political, sociological, cultural and economic forces behind
the gathering and disseminating of news, data and entertainment content through various
channels in the world, with an emphasis on communication systems. From an
interdisciplinary point of view, it covers the basic theoretical concepts about intercultural
communication and international relations, and deals with the impact of intercultural
encounters on national economy, politics and culture.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM705 PUBLIC OPINION
The meaning, nature, and functions of public opinion within social and political contexts;
measurement through polling; theories and research findings on the formation, dynamics
and change of public opinion. Students conduct actual public opinion surveys and write
reports.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM706 NEW MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES
The popularity of the Internet and emerging interactive telecommunication services have
made multimedia a topic of interest. This course is designed to take a serious look, from
both academic and professional perspectives, at the foundations and principles behind
development and production processes from inception (developing the concept) to
completion (hands-on production, testing, and distribution) in this new entertainment and
information medium.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM707 SPECIAL TOPICS ON JOURNALISM AND E-NEWS
This course guides students to enrich their knowledge and skills for more in-depth news
writing and reporting. Advanced techniques of news reporting, investigative reporting, and
personality profiles will be covered including advanced skills in dealing with new sources,
interviewing, library search, and computer assisted reporting (CAR). The course also
places a significant emphasis on online news reporting and publishing, providing students
with basic knowledge and skills of designing and managing news websites.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM708 SPECIAL TOPICS ON ADVERTISING
This course develops students' ability to understand and effectively conduct research
projects in advertising, such as audience analysis, message/media research, and
marketing surveys. It is designed to bring together the theories and methods of
communication and social sciences to deal with practical problems in advertising.
Emphasis will be on a synthesis of theoretical studies in communication and professional
practice in advertising.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM709 SPECIAL TOPICS ON PUBLIC RELATIONS
This course provides students with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of all
aspects of public relations, including public relations practices in business, education and
government with an emphasis on public relations principles: identifying target publics,
press relations, cost management and planning public relations programmes.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM711 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Analysis of the role of communication in cultural, economic, political and social change.
Integration and synthesis of theories concerning communication and change. Case studies
will be examined.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM712 MEDIA FUNCTIONS AND MANAGEMENT
This course provides in-depth case studies of the functions of different mass media, and
conducts field observations and practice in technical operations. In addition, this course
will discuss and analyze media organization and management, process and characteristics
of media decision making, personnel management and training, planning and production,
and sales and distribution.
Pre-requisite: None
COMM714 PROFESSIONAL WRITING IN ENGLISH
This course provides advanced training in English journalistic writing and editing,
promotional writing and other types of professional writing skills
Pre-requisite: None
COMM715 DIGITAL MEDIA
In this course transdisciplinary approaches will be used to study digital media in everyday
practices, that includes existing and emerging technologies. Students will create original
content and gain practical skills in software and imaging technologies.
COMM716 SPECIAL TOPICS ON COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY
This course guides students to examine a range of theories and critical perspectives on
communication and society. Covers a range of research contexts and outcomes. Content
areas vary according to instructor and student interest.
COMM717 SPECIAL TOPICS ON COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
This course examines interactions between communication and culture as experienced in
virtual, mediated and face-to-face contexts. Covers a range of perspectives and research
outcomes. Content areas vary according to instructor and student interest.
COMM718 SPECIAL TOPICS ON COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
This course provides in-depth training on a particular research method. Content areas vary
according to instructor and student interest.
COMM719 CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES: A MEDIA STUDIES
APPROACH
This course will draw from a variety of disciplines that focus on popular media production
and reception. Particular attention will be directed toward creative and cultural industries in
Macao and beyond.
COMM720 INTERNSHIP
Students receive credit for their professional training placement in cooperation with local
corporations, agencies, and organizations. They apply communication knowledge and
skills to real-life contexts, and may apply this to writing a thesis. A student’s company may
be considered as professional training placement for the internship. Documentation is
required for internship responsibilities and hours. Performance is evaluated by the
student’s thesis supervisor in collaboration with the internship site director. While students
who write an Applied thesis are encouraged to complete an internship, this elective is not a
pre-requisite.
COMM797 APPLIED THESIS
Successfully complete 9 courses and then write the thesis. A student writes an applied
document which may be based upon a professional attachment or internship with a
company, campaign strategy, advertising campaign, etc. Under the supervisor’s guidance,
the student completes a written document that describes and analyzes an applied activity.
The length of the written document should normally be between 5,000 to 7,000 words.
COMM798 / COMM799 CREATIVE / ACADEMIC THESIS
Academic Thesis
Successfully complete 8 courses and then write the thesis. The student designs a study,
collects original data, analyzes and writes findings. The written document should normally
be between 7,000 to 10,000 words.
Creative Thesis
Successfully complete 8 courses and then write the thesis. The creative thesis is
composed of two parts, an original production of any genre, and a write-up providing aims,
purposes and justifications for the production that includes a sound understanding of
creative histories pertaining to the chosen genre. Students are encouraged to maintain a
production dossier with pictures, production notes, and other artifacts. The length of the
written document should normally be between 6,000 to 8,000 words.