Core Courses
Current Topics in Communication Theory (4 credits)
The course is an advanced level course about communication theory, which mainly introduces scientific development and theory originalities, important theories and related researches of the field, current issues for discussion will be chosen according to the interest of students during class. The course will be conducted in a lecture base, assisting with after-class discussions and student presentations.
Advanced Research Methods in Communication (4 credits)
The course covers quantitative, qualitative, and critical approaches; however, emphasis is placed on quantitative methods. Through this course, students can have in-depth understanding towards empirical research method, they will also have chances to conduct empirical researches and give critical evaluations.
Media, Communication and Society (4 credits)
This course mainly provides students with the important concepts in theories of mass communication, including effects, usages, functions associated with goods and services of mass media, etc. It also introduces how will mass media affect the organization, design and understanding of messages after combining with other institutes, how to influence political thoughts, cultural beliefs and economic behavior.
Integrated Communication Strategies (4 credits)
This course provides students with information and insights about strategic communication: how messages are created and framed, why we respond to messages the way we do, and how to employ communications strategies to achieve their goals.
Cultural Theory in Communication Studies (4 credits)
This course introduces students to cultural studies and its overlapping relationship with the development of the field of communications. Key readings of Marxist approaches towards cultural studies, and studies of British and US cultures are covered in the first half of the course. In the second half of the course, it will move forward to the discussion of the concept “cultural research traditions”. Topics include cultural and representational politics, issues of identity, resistance, hegemony, and ideology.
Elective Courses
Global Marketing Communication: Special Topic 1 (4 credits)
The main focus of the course will be put on both the theories and strategies of IMC. For students who will become decision makers in almost any company concerned with consumer/customer communications (advertising, public relations, promotions, Internet marketing, marketing, media and client organizations), they will not only learn about messages and touch point integration, paying attention to the effect and measurable results of the dissemination of messages; they will also learn how to put the theories into practice. Present communication experts have greater responsibility in project planning and strategy setting.
Global Marketing Communication: Special Topic 2 (4 credits)
This course will introduce various emerging media (such as blogs, e-mail and podcasting, etc) and their effect to the market, as well as the use of these media in optimizing IMC process. Students will also be introduced and discuss about the new media issues arouse which related to creativity and ethnicity.
Media, Culture and Communication: Special Topic 1 (4 credits)
This courseintroduces cultural approaches to media studies, with a focus on major theories and critical analysis of media and popular culture. Topics covered include: cultural theory; aesthetics and taste; representation and ideology; consumer culture; media, culture and identity; gender, race, classin media; fandom and subcultures.
Media, Culture and Communication: Special Topic 2 (4 credits)
This course will provide the students with an overview of recent research on how "new media," such as the Internet and mobile phones, influence community social relationships, public and private spaces; which is also essential for students in evaluating empirical, social networking and sociological issue researches.
Strategic Communication: Special Topic 1 (4 credits)
This course provided guidance to students to think critically, express their reasoning clearly both in written and oral communications, and to understand the role of strategic communications in the historical development of the field of communications. Through case studies and readings, students are exposed to ethical issues that arise in strategic communications and are required to analyze the ethical dilemmas they will encounter in the working world.
Strategic Communication: Special Topic 2 (4 credits)
This course focuses on the issues relevant to planning, development and execution of crisis communications programs. Students will be exposed to the issues facing by public relations practitioners in businesses and organizations when a crisis situation; students will be able to master the actual and practical skills in order to achieve successful communication under crisis. During the course, discussion on the dynamic process and implications of various public relations strategies will be brought up.
Academic Activities (1 credit)
Students are required to participate in at least ten academic activities that are recognized by the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, such as the famous scholars’ seminars held on campus. Students are required to complete and hand in a one-page report for each activity.
Thesis (12 credits)
Students are required to submit and defend a Doctoral’s Thesis. Generally, the length should be no fewer than 100,000 words, excluding footnotes, endnotes and references. Students should follow the University’s format requirements for the thesis.
