Television & Culture ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

Television is an important influence on our culture, and is definitely not 'just entertainment.' In this course, you will study television as a cultural artifact. Students will investigate television's distinctive features, programming and cultural impact. Acquire skill in interpreting the sort of cultural impact television programs may have on viewers. Consider the ways that gender, race, class, sexuality, disability and age are featured on television shows. Discover the way television's generic conventions create limits on the creativity of television producers. Become a more knowledgeable and selective viewer. Learn to interpret television ratings and track the performance of various shows. Read and critically evaluate articles. This course can include considerations of theory, history, and ethics. Highly Recommended (not required): A lower level study in media literacy or critical or literary theory This course, and The American Cinema, are appropriate for students beginning upper level work. It’s a good “sequel” to Media and Visual Literacy and a good predecessor to Women, Girls, and the Media, or any other course about “difference” in the media such as race, sexuality etc.