A history of information and media from ancient China to the early twentieth century. Topics include the origin of the Chinese writing system, oracle-bones and bronze inscriptions, ancient manuscripts, the inventionof woodblock printing, the early modern commercial printing revolutions, newspapers, public notices, and the rise of modern media. Through the lens of the circulation of information, news, rumors, intelligence, and propaganda in different media, we will examine the dissemination of information, state-society contests over information, the power and authority of knowledge, and state control over informationand its impact on society.