Undergraduate Program:
Department of Drama and Film Studies
The Department of Drama and Film Studies kicked off its undergraduate program in Drama and Film Literature back in 2005, making it the pioneering program of its kind in Hainan Province. Fast forward to 2021, it proudly earned recognition as a nationally acclaimed undergraduate program. Spanning four years, this program grants students a Bachelor’s degree in Arts,
equipping them with comprehensive knowledge and skills in film and television. Its mission is to nurture highly accomplished professionals who possess a solid understanding of the foundational theories and techniques in the realm of film and television. Moreover, students are encouraged to develop a broad cultural background, keeping up with the latest advancements in the field, while cultivating a refined aesthetic sensibility and the ability to create exceptional film and television productions.
Following a teaching philosophy that blends theory with practice, students not only gain a deep understanding of core concepts and cutting-edge theories, but also acquire hands-on skills in film and television production, directing, and post-production. Through a well-designed training plan, students are empowered to tackle real-world challenges, enhance their professional competence, and develop a holistic skill set. Every year, the department hosts theatrical showcases and film screenings, serving as catalysts for student creativity and fostering an environment that encourages active learning. Additionally, the department actively collaborates with prominent media and film entities, such as broadcasting stations, Hainan Daily, film production companies, and cultural enterprises, to establish extracurricular internship opportunities. This invaluable practical experience allows students to refine their professional aptitude and elevate their practical skills. The program’s outstanding track record speaks for itself. Graduates regularly secure coveted spots at renowned “Double First-Class” universities, including prestigious institutions like Renmin University of China, Communication University of China, Nanjing University, Xiamen University, Shanghai University, Sun Yat-sen University, and many others. Furthermore, the program has fostered numerous talented screenwriters and emerging directors. The illustrious career paths of our alumni serve as testaments to their exceptional training.
Moreover, the department offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in film and radio and television, providing students with excellent opportunities to pursue advanced studies in these fields. This further enriches their academic journey and paves the way for future success.
Department of Communication Studies
The Department of Communication Studies was established in 2015 and hit the ground running by enrolling students immediately. Currently, the department boasts a team of 24 faculty members, including 7 hotshot professors, 11 savvy associate professors, and 10 sharp lectures. The faculty is comprised of industry titans as well as PhD graduates from renowned universities such as Fudan University, Renmin University of China, Communication University of China, and Wuhan University.
This program embraces Marxism as its guiding principle, with the aim of nurturing students who have a rock-solid political compass, a deep understanding of humanities and social sciences, and some mad skills in the natural sciences. Graduates of this program are plugged in when it comes to news communication policies and regulations. They have a full grasp of multimedia news communication, possess top-notch practical skills, and are masters of computer and internet information technology. They are perfectly equipped to meet the demands of Hainan Free Trade Zone and China’s Free Trade Port as applied, versatile, and innovative talents - and they can serve up the public information communication needs of various media organizations, propaganda departments of party and government institutions, public institutions, advertising companies, marketing planning companies, media research companies, and other public communication institutions on a silver platter.
The program has also put together a targeted curriculum system, with core courses that include Marxist news ideology, introduction to journalism, introduction to communication studies, news reporting and writing, media convergence, research methods in communication studies, international communication, organizational communication, political communication, crisis communication, public communication, public speaking, and rhetoric.
The department has got state-of-the-art professional labs and ample equipment to meet the needs of practical teaching. What’s more, it has formed excellent cooperative relationships with mainstream media organizations such as Hainan Radio and Television Station, Hainan Daily, and Xinhua News Agency’s Hainan branch, which fully satisfies the internship requirements of students.
After a few years of construction and elbow grease, the department has achieved some groundbreaking results. In 2020, the communication studies program made the provincial-level first-class undergraduate program construction list. In the Soft Science China University Rankings, Hainan University’s communication studies program took 39th place in 2021 and 36th place in 2022. With an ever-expanding faculty and gradually improving teaching conditions, the department will continue to raise the bar for education, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with high-level universities, and make even greater strides.
Graduate Program:
Master of Journalism and Communication
The Master of Journalism and Communication (MJ&C) program in Hainan is taking the lead in the region, embracing the concept of “new humanities” and staying true to the Marxist view of journalism. Our aim is to produce top-notch professionals who are politically astute, highly skilled, and trusted by both the Party and the people. We strive to build a solid foundation in theoretical and practical teaching while addressing the challenges of media convergence and international communication. Our ultimate goal is to serve our country and society, meet market demands, and strengthen media thinking and practical skills.
Our program’s objectives are clear: we aim to cultivate professionals who have an in-depth understanding of China’s national conditions, particularly in Hainan Province. They should possess a strong political ideology, professional ethics, modern journalism and communication concepts, and advanced skills. Our graduates will be proficient in the fundamental skills and methods of journalism and communication, equipped with a high level of international perspective, and ready to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
With a team of 7 professors and 11 associate professors, including experienced industry experts and graduates from prestigious universities such as Renmin University of China, Communication University of China, Fudan University, and Wuhan University, our faculty ensures high-quality education. Additionally, we collaborate with industry elites from mainstream media outlets like Hainan Radio and Television General Station, Hainan Daily, and Xinhua News Agency Hainan Branch, who serve as external mentors. Our program boasts well-equipped communication laboratories, advertising and new media laboratories, digital imaging laboratories, and film and animation laboratories, setting the standard in Hainan Province. We have established teaching and practice bases, as well as joint training bases, in collaboration with mainstream media outlets such as Hainan Radio and Television General Station, Hainan Daily, and Xinhua News Agency Hainan Branch.
These bases provide the necessary venues, equipment, and faculty for comprehensive professional practice teaching and the development of practical skills. The bases are managed according to clear responsibilities and systems, ensuring long-term and stable cooperative relationships. In recognition of our efforts, the “Graduate Joint Training Innovation Practice Base,” established in partnership with Hainan Radio and Television General Station, was awarded the title of “University-level Graduate Internship Base” by Hainan University in 2021.
To actively support the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Pilot Zone and the Hainan Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics, our program will leverage its professional advantages. We will focus on the training orientation of “Digital Hainan” and “Global Hainan,” emphasizing international communication. By doing so, we aim to contribute more talented individuals to the successful implementation of national strategies.
Master of Fine Arts
The Master of Fine Arts program in the field of film and television is housed under the School of Humanities and has been accepting students since 2018. The program’s mission is to uphold the educational principles of the Party and the fundamental objective of cultivating moral character while equipping students with a strong sense of professional ethics, comprehensive knowledge, and advanced technical skills in the realm of film arts. This degree program primarily relies on the undergraduate program in Drama, Film, and Television Literature within the School of Humanities. The program has been admitting students since 2005 and was designated as a nationally recognized top-tier undergraduate program in 2021. In addition to offering the Master of Arts in Art degree, the School of Humanities also boasts a master’s program in Chinese Language and Literature as well as a professional master’s program in Journalism and Communication. The School’s robust combination of scientific research and teaching provides an excellent platform for the development of various disciplines.
Diverging from traditional academic-oriented master’s programs, this program places significant emphasis on high-quality practical training. It is a crucial pillar of the education process for professional degree students in the film industry, ensuring their competence and success. At present, the School of Humanities houses five state-of-the-art laboratories, encompassing a variety of specialties. These fully equipped facilities, spanning an impressive total area of 1200 square meters, serve as dedicated spaces for delivering specialized coursework and facilitating practical skills training in photography, sound recording, lighting, post-production, and more. This commitment is integral to maintaining the excellence of practical instruction.
As one of the key industries supported in Hainan province, the film and television sector is experiencing sustained growth, particularly in the context of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Consequently, the demand for highly skilled professionals in this field continues to rise. Graduates of the Master of Arts program possess a distinct advantage, characterized by their superior practical abilities, high level of expertise, remarkable adaptability, and strong commitment to serving society. With bright prospects for professional advancement,
the Master of Fine Arts in film offers three specializations: film scriptwriting, film directing, and film creativity and planning. In the domain of television, the emphasis is on artistic directing.
