SYLLABUS
CMM 325.01 Professor: Tom Loehr
Television Aesthetics & Criticism Office Phone: 380-3844
Class Time: MWF: 1:45 – 2:35 SHC email: tloehr@shc.edu
Classroom: CA 101 Office Hours:
Fall, 2008 MWF: 10:15 – 11:30
(Note: This class is a ÔWÕ Course.) 2:45 – 4:30
(4:00 on Fridays)
TR: 8:30 – 10:30
2:30 – 4:30
The Page for this class: http://faculty.shc.edu/tloehr/WebPages/CMM325CurrentNotices.html.
This page will be updated regularly and you are expected to check it regularly
for: assignments, readings, links, due dates for papers, quizzes, tests, etc.
Eres will not be used in this course, BUT THE WEBSITE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART
OF THIS COURSE!!!
The primary goal of this course is to develop an acutely critical eye and ear for the medium that pervades our lives and our culture – television.
Like any medium of communication, television can be capable of reaching great heights of expression as well as falling to great depths of banality and mediocrity. But its influence on culture throughout that spectrum is undeniably significant. It was true in its ÔclassicÕ period in the 1950Õs and is even more so today, with the proliferation of channels, numbering up to a thousand or more in many cases, with the arrival of digital video recorders, DVD releases, I-Pods and other similar devices for downloading programs. This course looks closely at this medium, its origins and history, its modes of expression and specific genres - especially as they have changed over time - and attempts to gain a greater understanding of how this medium influences us, as individuals and as a society within our particular culture.
First: After a short period of carefully examining the history of this medium through its predecessors radio and film, we will learn to recognize and identify the distinctive elements that make up the visual and aural ÔtoolsÕ of this medium. The main text, Jeremy ButlerÕs Television Critical Methods and Applications, will be the basis for this.
Secondly we will learn several critical approaches that will allow for detailed analysis and critique of the meaning arising from various television texts. Among those approaches are: semiotics, cultural studies, Marxist analysis, gender studies, psychoanalytic criticism, the auteur theory and sociological criticism. Articles, either on the web or copied and distributed, and in-class Power Point presentations will provide background for and explanation of these theories and critical approaches.
Thirdly we will read & discuss the articles collected in the secondary text for this course, Television After TV, edited by Lynn Spigel and Jan Olsson. The articles examine the current changing structure of television and attempt to make sense of and grasp the importance of the tremendous shifts taking place in this medium in the Twenty-First Century.
Outcomes: At the end of this course students will have a solid understanding of the visual and aural elements that make up the Òtelevisual languageÓ. They will also have developed a grasp of the various theories that provide a basis for analysis of television texts and be able to apply them in written and oral formats, including a research paper. They will also have a basic grasp of the technological elements behind television, especially within a historical progression of the medium.
The ÔWÕ Designation: This is a ÔWÕ course and as such a great deal of writing will be expected. Three to four essays, each 2 – 4 pages will be required, as will a final paper of 10 – 12 pages. Research will be a part of each and will be a significant part of the final paper. Errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and general usage could lower the grade for a given assignment by a full letter grade or more – down to a failing grade for excessive errors. Research will be required for some assignments, especially the final paper. We will follow APA style guidelines. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and could result in expulsion from the class and the college.
Quizzes and tests will be given – 2 quizzes and a midterm and 2 quizzes and a written final in the second half of the semester. There will also be at least one oral report, probably in conjunction with one or more other students. Altogether, the papers, quizzes, tests and reports will provide opportunities for the student to reveal their understanding of the language of television and the multitude of meanings derived from the understanding of the critical approaches to TV analysis and the depth of their own analysis of this important mode of mass communication and artistic expression.
Primary: Television Critical Methods and Applications, by Jeremy Butler, 3rd Ed. Referred to below as: TCM&A.
Secondary: Television After TV, by Lynn Spigel & Jan Olsson, 2nd Ed. (printing). Referred to below as: TV/TV.
1st Week, Aug. 25, 27 & 29:
1. Introduction to course, goals, objectives, guidelines, grading, attendance policy, etc.
2. History of the medium, both technological and in content; history and influence of radio.
3. History of motion pictures – the silent era – 1895 - 1927.
READING: Chaps. 1 & 2, TCM&A.
TV/TV, pgs. 37 – 74 ; first article on Convergence Television
2nd Week, Sept. 3 (no class on Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 1), & 5:
1. Discussion of above readings in TCM & A and TV/TV; film history, contÕd: 1930s – 1970s.
2. First theoretical approach: Semiotics – history; key terms; relevance for TV Studies; handouts and web references. Butler text, pgs. 436 – 446.
ASSIGNMENT: A
two – three page paper on the plot structure and narrative form of the
episode you will watch in class, Sept. 8.
DUE: Wednesday, Sept. 10.
READING: TCM&A
– Chapter 3.
3rd Week, Sept. 8, 10 & 12:
1. In-class viewing of a half-hour narrative – a sitcom, TBA. Writing on its narrative aspects.
2. Chapter 3 in TCM&A on characters/actors/stars and their roles in developing and structuring narrative. Short Papers DUE.
3. Short Quiz; Conclusion of History of Film. Semiotic Applications in Narrative structure and programming.
READING: TCM&A – Chapter 4 on Reality TV in relation to narrative; Chapter 5, Part 2 on Elements of The Mise En Scene.
Separate Article on Marxist Analysis.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a two – three page essay on a narrative fiction program on television or feature film; more details, TBA. DUE: Mon., Sept. 22.
4th Week: Sept. 15 & 17:
1. Hand back & Discussion of 1st papers.
2. Elements of the mise en scene; chapter 5, Butler text. Film & TV examples.
3. Assignment: each will analyze the mise en scene elements of a non narrative program for Wed.
4. Marxist analysis; history; key terms and its position within criticism today.
READING: Article, TBA on Ideological (Marxist) Critique. TV/TV: Pgs. 93 – 112.
ASSIGNMENT: Group assignments for oral reports using elements of the
mise en scene in conjunction with Marxist Critique.
DUE: Wed., Sept. 24.
5th Week: Sept. 22 & 24 :
1. Short Quiz
2. Viewing and analysis of classic TV text(s) using a Marxist approach.
3. Lighting as a part of the mise en scene. TV and Film examples
4. Discussion of Jeffrey SconceÕs article in TV/TV, What If?: Charting TelevisionÕs New Textual Boundaries.
READING: Chapter 6 in TCM&A on the camera – video and film – and its properties.
Article on Psychological Analysis and Critique, TBA
.
6th Week: Sept. 29 & Oct. 1:
1. Discussion of Chapter 6, TCM&A ; different styles and different camera and production techniques. Examples from TV and Motion Pictures.
2. Oral Reports on Television Ads; Sconce Article; more on Chapter 6 as needed.
READING: Chapter 7 in TCM&A on Editing; article in TV/TV, pgs 113 – 132.
7th Week: Oct. 6 & 8:
1. Chapter 7 in TCM&A on editing; history, comparison with film. Concepts of Montage, Continuity, time and space manipulation. Examples
2. Oral Reports on TV coverage of previous nightÕs debate.
READING: Chapters 8 in TCM&A
ASSIGNMENT: Prepare work on final paper by choosing a genre first, then a specific program or programs (for comparison/contrast) and do a brief review of the literature on that topic. (Details, TBA.) DUE: Wednesday, Oct. 22.
8th Week: Oct.15: (Fall Break on Mon. and Tues., Oct. 13 & 14)
1. Chapter 8 on audio in Butler; review for midterm exam on Monday of next week. Discussion of final paper.
READING: Article on Sociological Analysis & Critique, TBA; article in TV/TV, pgs. 210 – 223.
9th Week: Oct. 20 & 22:
1. Midterm exam; Sociological Analysis – from the article distributed. A brief Lit Review for final paper is DUE, Wednesday, Oct. 22.
2. More discussion Chapter 8 in TCM&A on audio style in television, especially the use of music – historically and today and in comparison with motion pictures.
3. Discussion of final paper and the requirements in the various stages.
New theoretical application: The Auteur Theory – the difference between Film & TV.
ASSIGNMENT: Short paper, 3 – 5 pgs – analyzing - from at least 2 of the theoretical perspectives covered - a Sitcom or Reality Series; DUE: Monday, Nov. 3.
READING: Chapter 9 in Butler on the history of style in TV.
10th Week: Oct. 27 & 29:
1. Discussion of Chapter 9, TCM&A, on the history of style in TV.
2. An Overview/Summary of aesthetic elements and theoretical/critical procedures; putting them together in preparation for the final paper.
3. Looking at Genres: First, Sitcoms, past and present; evolution and the future.
READINGS: From TCM&A: Chapter 10 on Music Television; from TV/TV, article, pgs. 303 – 323.
11th Week: Nov. 3 & 5:
1. Looking at Genres: News/Information, including network & cable programming: nightly, twenty-four hour and special programs. Paper on Sitcoms/Reality Shows DUE. Assignment on brief oral reports for next class.
2. News programming continued; in-class brief reports on news programs.
3. Looking at Genres: Quiz/Game Shows, including some types of reality programming.
Theoretical applications: Semiotics, Marxist, Gender & Psychological.
READING: Chapter 11 on
Cartoons in TV.
ASSIGNMENT: You each will present an oral report on a specific tv program. More details will be given. It will
include an written essay of 2 – 3 pages by each person. DUE: Either Nov. 17.
12th Week, Nov. 10 &12 :
1. Looking at Genres: Cartoons – history and trends; also, a look at reality/quiz show genres.
2. Genres: Advertising, the glue that holds American television together.
READING: Chapter 12 in TCM&A and Article in TV/TV, pgs. 349 – 385.
ASSIGNMENTS: Work on Final Paper and prepare Oral Reports – instructions, TBA.
13th Week, Nov. 17 & 19:
1. Oral Reports given and essays DUE.
2. HBO and other premium channel programming: documentaries and dramatic series on Premium channels. Differences from major network and cable series.
ASSIGNMENT:
Prepare a brief summary/outline of your final paper
READING: Article
on The Sopranos, TBA
14th Week, Nov. 24th (Thanksgiving Week):
1. Premium channel – HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, etc. – programming contÕd; examples from various shows & different channels: bending and stretching the ÔrulesÕ for what is ethically acceptable.
READINGS: Article in TV/TV, pgs. 418 – 445.
ASSIGNMENT: Continue work on final paper.
15th Week (Final), Dec. 1 & 3:
1. Other television systems around the world – comparison with U.S. structure.
2. The future of television: continued convergence. Discussion of article in TV/TV. Discussion of progress on the final paper; APA style concerns and procedures.
3. Course wrap up and Review for Final. Final Paper DUE on Dec. 3.
Summary of Assignments and tests:
4 Essays of approximately 2 – 4 pages each; one or two will contain research.
1 10 – 12 page research paper, DUE: Final Day of Class – Friday, Dec. 5th.
2 Oral presentations – with the second being most important
2 – 3 Quizzes
2 Tests – midterm and final
Timely submission of Written Work: All assignments will have specific DUE DATES - at the beginning of a particular class. If turned in later than that date & time, a one-letter deduction will be subtracted from the grade. If excessively late – over one week – a two-letter deduction will take place.
Attendance Policy: After three (3) unexcused absences a warning will be sent. With a fourth absence and the written warning, a student is liable for withdrawal from the class. It is important to come to class, join in on the discussions of the readings and required television or film viewings and the in-class viewings of segments of various programs. Attendance and participation are factored into the grade (see below) and will form a significant function in achieving the stated goals for the course.
Grading: For the Midterm:
1 – 2 quizzes and 2 Essays & 2 Oral Reports 60 %
Attendance & participation 15% = Midterm Grade
Midterm Exam 25%
Midterm Grade: 25 %
1 Quiz; 2 Essays & 1 or 2 Oral Reports 25 %
Final Paper: 20 % = FINAL GRADE
Final Exam: 20 %
Class Attendance & Participation 10%
Students
with Disabilities: Students who
want to receive disabilities accommodations should contact Mrs. Dunklin,
Coordinator for Student Support Services at 380-3470 as soon as possible so
that warranted accommodations can be arranged. Her office is located in
Student Academic Services, 1st floor, Administration Building.