Media, Culture and Society in the European Union

ended

This proposed Jean Monnet Chair focuses on the role of media and communication in spreading EU ideas, norms and values, keeping cultural diversity, and bringing social cohesion in the European Union. The media and communication perspective has very much been neglected in the Jean Monnet teaching and research activities in China’s Higher Education, yet such teaching and research activities would help increase the awareness and knowledge of EU soft power, promote EU understanding, and enhance EU public diplomacy in China, a key strategic partner of the EU in the globalised world. The proposal consists of three courses, three student activities, two academic events, and a series of publications related to EU studies from the media and communication perspective. The targeted groups are students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and staff at Tsinghua University, the best university in China. The teaching and research activities will be open to Tsinghua students not only majoring in humanities and social sciences, but also in science, technology, engineering and medicine, who do not automatically come into contact with EU studies. The teaching related activities will stimulate EU studies in this leading Chinese university and enhance the understanding of the EU among China’s future leaders and key stakeholders in various fields. The research related events will foster dialogue between academics and wider audiences in the society, including policy-makers, businessmen, media, and civil society actors, and help promote mutual understanding and mutual trust between the EU and China.