Television Storytelling: The Conditions of Narrative Complexity
ANTH 308
Spring 2024
| Section:
01
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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) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Jason Mittell, Complex TV: The Poetics of Contemporary Television Storytelling Works by Linda Williams, Amanda Lotz, Michael Newman, Ilana Levine, Janet McCabe, Brett Mills, Jason Jacobs, Anthony Smith, Noel Carroll, John Caldwell, 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:
There will be between 2-3 hours of assigned viewing each week. For admission, please (1) place an electronic POI request during pre-registration and (2) email etraube@wesleyan.edu to obtain the questionnaire which will be the basis for selection. Those admitted will be able to enroll during the adjustment period. |
| Instructor(s): Traube,Elizabeth Times: ...W... 07:10PM-10:00PM; Location: BOGH113; |
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. |
| 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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