The Tianjin Municipal Education Commission has recently unveiled its second list of Tianjin Municipal Ideological and Political Demonstration Courses and Excellent Textbooks, along with the first batch of Tianjin Municipal Outstanding Cases (Undergraduate Program) in Ideological and Political Education. Among the distinguished selections, Professor Liu Zhongbo from the School of Journalism and Communication received notable recognition for his course, Documentary Direction and Production, which has been designated as a Tianjin Municipal Ideological and Political Demonstration Course. Additionally, the textbook TV Programmes Production Techniques, for which he is the main editor, has been honored as a Tianjin Municipal Ideological and Political Excellent Textbook. The course has also been included in the third development list of Tianjin Municipal First-Class Undergraduate Courses.
Documentary Direction and Production is mainly designed for three of the School’s programs, namely Broadcasting and Television, Network and New Media, and Journalism, requiring a total of 34 class hours each semester. The course has been offered since 2005 and has undergone nearly 20 years of refinement. Its syllabus is designed around the model of “cultivating versatile talents, solidifying foundational knowledge, and prioritizing practical experience,” and takes into account news literacy and communication strategies in the Internet age. This course aspires to expand students’ learning horizons and cultivate a more open mindset, while igniting their passion for learning.
Professor Liu has been the main lecturer of the course continuously as of 2023, who has also compiled a supporting textbook titled Directing and Producting Documentary (2014 Edition Published by Nankai University Publishing House). It is widely accessible across the nation through various online platforms, such as Smart Education of China · Higher Education and XuetangX. The course has been adopted by over 20 educational institutions, attracting more than 2,000 students. Its influence and effectiveness are evident. Development of the course has also been included in the education and teaching reform at the university level. The Teaching Reform and Innovation of “Documentary Direction and Production” won the second prize for teaching achievements at NKU in 2017.
The textbook, TV Programmes Production Techniques, aligns with the policies made by the Ministry of Education, which emphasize the integration of vocational education with general education, as well as the collaboration between industry and schools. It provides a robust theoretical foundation, accompanied by detailed and thorough explanations. This comprehensive source encompasses technical theories, guidance on practices, and case studies. Centered on the fundamentals and technical principles of TV program production, it explores the intrinsic connection between TV program production and ideological and political education. As for the communication practices of thematic advertising via omnimedia, the communication practices of innovative theories, the development of new mainstream media, and the new ecosystem of radio and TV programs, the textbook highlights how enhanced and upgraded techniques in TV program production can significantly improve the ability to shape public opinion via omnimedia.
It adopts a unit-based training model with abundant cases, both theoretical and practical, covering the history of technology and the characteristics of technological development in the new media era. After its publication, it has been well received by a large number of teachers and students, and has imposed a significant influence in universities and colleges concerned.
The introduction of learning objectives, practical project training, case studies, and a question bank are enhanced in the textbook through the “incorporation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress.” Capitalizing on TV programs related to significant events of the Party and the nation, the textbook elaborates on the applications of technologies related to high-definition television (HDTV), ultra HDTV, cameras, sound, non-linear editing, and studio in covering and promoting these major events. During the compilation of the textbook, the academic knowledge, theoretical logic, mindset, and specificity of ideological and political education were thoughtfully included, with a focus on political identification, patriotism, cultural attainment, and moral integrity. The integration of ideological and political resources, teaching, and a professional knowledge system was also carefully considered. As a result, an atlas has emerged, showcasing the exploration of ideological and political resources for academic textbooks in journalism and communication.
TV Programmes Production Techniques was adopted as an applied textbook in the field of broadcasting, film and TV by Communication University of China Press for the “13th Five-Year” Plan period. It has won the Academic Textbook Award from the Chinese Collegial Association for Visual Art. This textbook was among the first batch of “14th Five-Year” national planning textbooks for vocational education in 2023.
Liu Zhongbo, male, Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, NKU, Secretary at the 3rd Party Branch of Teachers, and Secretary-General at Tianjin Writing Society. He has led 7 programs above the provincial and ministerial levels in recent years. His research mainly focuses on documentary theories and production, film and TV art communication, new media, and international communication. His original works have received nominations and awards at numerous photography and video exhibitions across China.
