Media, Management and Technology Programme with Shenzhen University

 "To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."
(Lao Tzu)

Content: This programme* is in partnership with Shenzhen University (SZU), China. USI students will spend their sixth semester (February to June) at Shenzhen University, which is located in the city’s high-tech industrial park, surrounded by emerging tech companies like Huawei and Tencent. The program offers a unique opportunity to USI students as they can learn about a fast-growing country like China, understand Chinese companies in the field of media and communication technology, interact with peers from SZU and other international students. In particular, problems and opportunities offered by digitization, media convergence, globalization, data security, integration of digital markets and competition for technological power will be discussed. Students choose up to 27 ECTS courses in English offered by Shenzhen University and recognized by both universities. This program is specially designed for USI COM Bachelor students in the specialisation in Media and Journalism.

Our students are required to take 27 ECTS, include:

Mandatory

• Cyberpsychology (2 Chinese credits, 3 ECTS)
• Digital Media Culture (2 Chinese credits, 3 ECTS)
• Classic Readings on (Intercultural) Communication Theories (2 Chinese credits,3 ECTS)
• Understanding Chinese Culture (2 Chinese credits, 3 ECTS)
• Business Ethics & Social Responsibility (2 Chinese credits, 3 ECTS)
• Chinese media/technology companies and global challenges (3 ECTS)
• Cross-cultural Management (3 Chinese credits, 4.5 ECTS)

Electives

• Management Communication (3 Chinese credits, 4.5 ECTS)
• Entrepreneurship (3 Chinese credits (4.5 ECTS)
• Practical and Comprehensive Chinese (6 Chinese credits, 9 ECTS)

Ambition: the exchange programme is designed for USI Bachelor students in the specialization of Media and Journalism who want to know more about the growing Chinese digital market in media and communication industries, and the increasing potential in the development of innovative technologies. Students will get in touch with another business culture and a different perspective in media and business innovation. They will extend their entrepreneurial education in an environment that is supporting young graduates from different cultural backgrounds to connect, exchange, promote, and initiate their own ideas of building startups. As the world’s new innovation hub, Shenzhen is a modern city that offers many opportunities for the students to experience development of startups, and also for them to get an insight into how another culture drives innovation. Such a uniquely immersive and innovation-driven cultural experience is what the programme wishes to offer to students during their semester abroad. Our goal is to form well-balanced individuals, who are capable of critically understanding the media technology in terms of its benefits and challenges across different societies and cultures, and who are capable to think outside the box, and to come up with new and innovative ideas as we are heading for the next generation of digitalization.

Eligibility: This exchange programme is open to Bachelor COM students in the specialization of Media and Journalism. If students from other specializations are interested in spending a semester in Shenzhen, special programs can be arranged. Interested students are invited to contact the China Media Observatory (see contacts below). Students are selected based on a letter of motivation, academic merit and their CV.

Fees: USI students will continue to pay the admission fee at USI for the semester study in Shenzhen, they will receive support from SZU student accommodation services.

Contact: China Media Observatory, Dr. Zhan Zhang ([email protected]).

*The programme will be offered from the Academic Year 2022-2023.