Gender, Media and Leadership: Women in Chinese and Russian Media, 5 cr

Gender is important in the media industries of China and Russia. Men tend to dominate in leading corporate positions, media production and as sources of news as well as on screen. How are women represented, and what roles and options for agency, leadership and resistance are there for them? How have women’s representations and position in the industry changed?

The course, organised by the Tampere Research Centre for Russian and Chinese Media (TaRC), focuses on gender issues in Chinese and Russian media industries through a close scrutiny of three themes: Visual Representations, Media Industries and Women’s Leadership, and Activism and Modes of Resistance. Each participant will focus on one of these themes in a workgroup.

The coursework consists of three elements:

1) An online pre-assignment through which students will familiarize themselves with the topic (to be completed in September–October 2019),

2) An intensive one-week Master Class “Gender, Media, Leadership: Women in Chinese and Russian Media” (to be held October 28–November 1, 2019) where distinguished scholars, journalists, filmmakers and experts in gender issues will join teachers from Tampere University to share their expertise with students and media professionals,

3) A media-related final assignment addressing the course themes (to be completed by the end of December 2019).

The course will be taught in English; no knowledge of any other language is required. Its main goal is to develop and advance individual and collective reflection on Chinese and Russian media industries from a gender perspective. Thus, there will be a major focus on discussion, critical thinking, and individual and collaborative work.