Television Storytelling: The Conditions of Narrative Complexity
ANTH 308
Fall 2012 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 316, FILM 319 |
This course examines the industrial and cultural conditions for the development of relatively complex forms of storytelling in commercial U.S. television. Narrative complexity is a cross-generic phenomenon that emerged over the 1980s and has proliferated within an increasingly fragmented media environment. In class discussions and individual research projects, students will analyze particular programs in-depth, with attention to their industrial and social conditions of production, their aesthetic and ideological appeals, and the cultural tastes and viewing practices they reflect and promote. We will also consider how television studies has responded and contributed to the increased prestige of certain types of programs. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS ANTH |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST)(ANTH)(FILM-MN)(FILM)(STS) |
Major Readings:
Jason Mittell. TELEVISION AND AMERICAN CULTURE
Roberta Pearson, ed., READING LOST
Dana Polan, THE SOPRANOS
Michael Hammond & Lucy Mazdon, THE CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES
Additional readings: texts by Jeffrey Sconce, Horace Newcomb, Jane Feuer, Julie D'Acci, Janet McCabe, Kim Akass, David Lavery, Amanda Lotz, and others)
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Examinations and Assignments:
weekly research journal
short (5-7page) midterm paper
class presentation and final research paper
students will also take turns facilitating class discussions over the semester. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
We may occasionally hold screenings of assigned episodes on Monday evenings, 7-9PM. In most cases, however, the assigned episodes will be accessible via netflix, iTunes, amazon.com, video on demand, or other sources.
For admission, please (1) place an electronic POI request and (2) email etraube@wesleyan.edu to obtain the questionnaire which will be the basis for selection. For consideration, please return the completed questionnaire by the last day of pre-registration, April 18, 2011. Applicants will be notified by the start of the adjustment period. |
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