8/12/2019 Communication studies questions 2013.docx

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Introduction Communication Studies Questions 2013-14

Due date Monday 6th

January - Essays should be approximately 1500 words. Please choose one

of the topics below:

1.) Compare two of the following communication theorists Paul Lazarsfeld, Robert Merton,Wilbur Schramm, Everett Rogers, George Gerbner, Noam Chomsky, Marshall McLuhan,

Harold Innis, Manuel Castells.

2.) Using ideas from specific theorists, do you think the media have a strong, weak or no effecton audiences? Give some examples.

3.) Is the idea of gate-keeping still suitable for the Chinese media? If so, what are the gates?4.) Why is it important to study the social context of communication in communication theory?

Does this mean that communication should be studied differently in Chinese society?

5.) How can communication theories help China during the current period of development?6.) Do you think that communication theories from countries such as the United States are

suitable for China? Please explain why or why not.

7.) Are media audiences active or passive? Use some theoretical arguments and give examplesfrom the United States/UK and China.

8.) Why do we study audiences? Are there any differences between the ways media companiesand advertisers study audiences and the way in which university researchers study

audiences?

9.) How has the development of the internet affected thinking about communication? Givesome examples from Chinese internet use.

10.)What communication theories do you think are most useful for understanding Chinesejournalism?

11.)Use some examples of communication theories to explain why media regulation is important.What are the advantages and disadvantages of media regulation in the United States

compared to China?