New Media and Internet in China

Chinese censorship of the Internet, a hot topic in the Western media, can be a hook to engage secondary students in exploration of important issues in contemporary China. Political scientist Orion Lewis presents a concise overview for teachers of three debates surrounding the development of the Internet and other forms of new media in China: 1) whether the Internet will lead to democratization in China; 2) new media, and government attempts to it, as factors in China’s economic development; and 3) how the Internet impacts China’s international relations. Professor Lewis lays out the debates, offers current research, and provides suggestions for introducing these topics in class. Finally, he suggests Chinese and Western Internet sites that students can use to analyze current issues.