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.