ENGL285

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ENGL285

Reading Television ENGL285 SP

Spring 97 Availability (Last Updated on Sat Mar 8 05:00:06 EST 1997 )

Section  Limit  Enrollment  Available
  01       25      23         2

The mass-mediated television text has become one of the most popular and influentuial sources of entertainment and information in our culture. Almost since its inception, TV has generated debates--often acrimonious--about what it does, what effects it has on viewers, how it works on our minds and emotions. In this course we will begin by learning how to read a televisual text, paying attention to how such texts produce narratives, create and use point of view, constitute characters, and attempt to shape our identifications and interpretations. We will pay particular attention to issues of gender, race, and class, as we explore various genres of television texts, including the news, police dramas, sitcoms, etc. Despite the fact that the course focuses on what has been called "mind-candy," prospective students should know that this will be a rigorous course, requiring a serious commitment of time to reading about, watching and analysing televison texts.

MAJOR READINGS

wo-three hours per week of taped television
programs. Readings drawn from a wide variety of articles and
books (TBA)

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two-three medium-length papers (4-5 pages), one long paper (about 15 pages), and a seminar presentation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA ENGL

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: Bock, K; Times: .T..... 7:00PM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 2, Fr: 2; Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

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