Course Schedule and Topics:

1.      Course introduction（2 credit hours）

An introduction to what the course is about, teaching methods and ways of evaluation

2.      Paper writing for global communication studies（2 credit hours）

Analysis of a typical research article about global communication part by part, telling students the rationale of the writing of each part, providing useful paper writing tips

3.      Scope, paths and methodology for global communication studies（4 credit hours）

Providing an overview for better understanding of what Global Communication studies are about and the complication of media and communication in the process of globalization.

4.       Re-examination of theories and research paradigms（6 credit hours）

（1）Change of world structure and development of theories and research paradigms

（2）Reading and discussion: Read a research article providing new possibilities of paradigm change, with class discussion based on reaction paper.

5.       New features and directions of global communication studies （4 credit hours）

（1）Realizing limitations of existing studies and exploring convergence of studies

（2）Reading and discussion: Read a research article introducing living system and global communication studies, with class discussion based on reaction paper.

6.       New research topics based on development of international systems （4 credit hours）

（1）Global reporting and influencing factors in the light of world system

（2）Reading and discussion: Read a research article about agenda setting and US media reporting on elections around the world, with class discussion based on reaction paper.

7.       New research topics based on development of information technologies （4 credit hours）

（1）Introducing influence of the information technology development on global society and new possibilities of research in the changing media environment

（2）Reading and discussion: Read a research article about how social media and traditional media interact with each other during Occupy Wall Street, with class discussion based on reaction paper

8.       Directions of studies of China's global communication（4 credit hours）

（1）How to define national image; the present situation of global opinion on China; reexamining key issues and exploring new paths

（2）Reading and discussion: Read a research article about media event and China’s global image, with class discussion based on reaction paper

9.  Presentations of individual research design and in-class instruction（6 credit hours）

Individual presentation, followed by others’ critique

**There will be adjustments according to real situation