Television Storytelling: The Conditions of Narrative Complexity
ANTH 308
Fall 2011
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 316, FILM 319 |
This course examines the industrial and cultural conditions for the development of 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 practices of their viewers. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation
This course situates formal developments in television narratives within a historical context of production, circulation and reception
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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) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
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. |
| Instructor(s): Traube,Elizabeth G. Times: ...W... 07:00PM-09:50PM; Location: ANTH6; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 16 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 5 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 3 |
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