Television is arguably the most influential and ubiquitous mass medium of the last half century. Because of its familiarity and popularity, it is also often the medium most overlooked, dismissed, and maligned. Drawing from the history of television and of television scholarship, this course builds a theoretical framework for understanding this pivotal cultural form. We will cover interdisciplinary approaches to studying TV texts, TV audiences, and TV industries, including questions of the boundaries of "television" (from independent and avant-garde video to convergence). In the process, we'll develop our own methodological tools as critical television viewers.
SPACES
On Monday's meetings, the professor will lecture and lead discussion. Wednesday's meetings will consist of open discussion, with certain students assigned to bring questions and facilitate.
To foster experiential learning about media, we will be using a dedicated website at [HERE] for all course work. This is a social network platform that supports blogs, wiki-like pages, bookmarks, threaded discussion, file uploads, status updates ("the wire"), live chat, and streaming videos. You are encouraged, but not required, to use the site to collect and discuss relevant material outside of class (above and beyond the stipulated homework).
TEXTS
You are expected to complete the reading (three chapters or articles averaging around 75 pages) by Monday's session each week. The professor will distribute a "virtual reader" containing PDF copies of all course texts at the beginning of the term. You are responsible for bringing printed or electronic copies of the week's materials to class so you can refer to them.
Screenings are sourced from accessible DVDs and websites whenever possible, but not all videos will be available to "make up" outside of class. Some, but not all, of the books and DVDs on the syllabus are on reserve in the Art library for you to consult.
POLICIES
Laptops and/or mobile devices are encouraged in class, although there may be some designated computer-free time. You are expected to be aware of your own attention and stay focused on lecture and discussion.
Attendance at all class and screening sessions is required. If you have a conflict or illness that causes you to miss class, contact the professor in advance. Grade penalties will be imposed for excessive unexcused absences.
Late work is discouraged. Most assignments are integrated with class activities and thus do not accommodate lateness. If you are facing extenuating circumstances and need an extension, contact the professor in advance. Grade penalties will be imposed for unexcused late work.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. For more information on avoiding plagiarism and the rest of Stanford's Honor Code, seehttp:/
Students who have a disability which may necessitate an academic accommodation or the use of auxiliary aids and services in a class, must initiate the request with the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC), located within the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). The SDRC will evaluate the request with required documentation, recommend appropriate accommodations, and prepare a verification letter dated in the current academic term in which the request is being made. Please contact the SDRC as soon as possible; timely notice is needed to arrange for appropriate accommodations. The Office of Accessible Education is located at 563 Salvatierra Walk (phone: 723-1066; TDD: 725-1067).
ASSIGNMENTS
You will complete two blog essays, two video responses, a group video project, a final paper, and other weekly contributions as detailed below. Handouts with more detailed guidelines for the major assignments will be provided. At the beginning of the term, the class will be divided into four groups (A-B-C-D) for staggered due dates and final projects.
.blog essay (two, due by midnight on Tuesday)
In this informal writing assignment (similar to a 2-page paper), you will present an argument about the week's material that references at least one reading and one television artifact. The goal is to develop skills in academic composition and basic HTML competence.
.video response (two, due by midnight on Tuesday)
Here, you will work on media literacies by presenting an argument about the week's material in the form of a short video (aim for five minutes). This doesn't need to be more complicated than a "video blog" commentary where you record yourself speaking, but you can choose to communicate in more elaborate or creative styles. You may check out a Kodak zi8 camera and use resources in the Meyer Multimedia Lab and/or use your own camera/webcam and computer.
.discussion (two Wednesdays)
Wednesday's peer-facilitated discussions are an opportunity to practice leading and moderating a conversation. The members of one group will be responsible for proposing topics, fielding comments, making connections, and keeping us on topic. To prepare, come up with a few fruitful questions about the screening materials that connect them to Monday's readings. You should also peruse your classmates' blogs and video responses, and consider prompting discussion that builds on their work.
.website contribution (two Wednesdays)
On weeks when you don't have another assignment, you should make at least one contribution of your choice on the course website before class. You could leave a comment in response to one of your classmate's posts, link us to a relevant article or artifact in bookmarks, or share a video or other media of interest.
.interview project (due before class December 1)
For "YouTalk," your group will be paired with a group of "cyber-chums" from Lynne Joyrich's Introduction to Television Studies class at Brown University. Beginning on November 22 (over Thanksgiving break), you'll collaborate virtually to interview each other about your habits and pleasures as TV and video viewers. You will post the results (in the format of your choice) using a "page" on our course website, finishing before our final Wednesday meeting so we can discuss your work.
.group video project (December 8, 12:15pm)
Your group will go on to create a final video on the theme of "TV 2025: Imagining Media Futures." You may build on and even incorporate your work from the individual video responses and YouTalk project. These videos will be featured on SCBN, the Stanford student television station http:/
.final paper (due by midnight on December 10 by email)
For your final assignment, you will expand one of your blog posts or video responses into a 6-7 page paper that draws on course texts to analyze a television artifact of your choice. The professor will meet with you individually to help you develop your argument.
ASSESSMENT
For the major assignments, a handout with the criteria for evaluation will be provided in advance. Essays and the final video will be graded via this structured rubric. For other weekly and overall contributions, you will receive comments more informally by email, on the website, or in person.
Grading is typically on a 9-point scale: 9/8 = A range, 7/6 = B range, 5/4 = C range, < 4 = unsatisfactory
Final grades will break down as follows: blog essays – 20% (10% each), video responses – 20% (10% each), discussion facilitation and participation – 10% overall, website contributions – 10% overall, YouTalk project – 10%, group video project – 15%, final paper – 15%
SCHEDULE
[0] INTRO ◊ September 20-22
→ no screening – no assignments
Reading (for Wednesday)
- Allen, Robert C. "Frequently Asked Questions: A General Introduction to the Reader." The Television Studies Reader. Ed. Robert C. Allen and Annette Hill. Routledge, 2004. (1-18)
- Scannell, Paddy. "Television and History." A Companion to Television. Ed. Janet Wasco. Blackwell, 2010. (51-66)
- McLuhan, Marshall. "The Medium is the Message." Understanding Media. MIT Press, 1994. (7-22)
[1] TECHNOLOGY ◊ September 27-29
→ A blog – B video – C discussion – D website
Reading
- Dienst, Richard. "The Outbreak of Television." Still Life in Real Time: Theory After Television. Duke University Press, 1994. (3-35)
- Williams, Raymond. "The Technology and the Society." Television: Technology and Cultural Form. Routledge, 2003. (1-25)
- Spielmann, Yvonne. "Video: From Technology to Medium." Art Journal 65:3 (Fall 2006): (55-70)
Screening ◊ sci-fi
- "Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman" (Dara Birnbaum) [05] {VDB.7}
- "Boomerang" (Richard Serra and Nancy Holt) [10] {VDB.2}
- "Global Groove" (Nam June Paik) [30 - excerpt] {DVD}
- "The Eternal Frame" (Ant Farm and T.R. Uthco) [22] {VDB.7}
- "Wetwired" from The X-Files [42] {DVD}
- "Blipverts" from Max Headroom [42] {DL}
[2] FLOW ◊ October 4-6
→ A website – B blog – C video – D discussion
Reading
- Butler, Jeremy G. "Television's Ebb and Flow in the Postnetwork Era." Television: Critical Methods and Applications. Routledge, 2006. (3-18)
- White, Mimi. "Crossing Wavelengths: The Diegetic and Referential Imaginary of American Commercial Television." Cinema Journal Vol. 25, No. 2 (1986): (51-64)
- Uricchio, William. "Television's Next Generation: Technology/Interface Culture/Flow." Television After TV. Ed. Lynn Spigel and Jan Olsson. Duke University Press, 2005. (163-182)
Screening ◊ variety shows
- Sesame Street [excerpts]
- PBS "Pioneers of Television: Late Night" [excerpts] {DVD}
- The Tonight Show [clips] {YouTube}
- The Tonight Show 1/22/2010 (Conan's last show) [42] {DL}
- Discovery Channel's "The World is Just Awesome" [01 + selected mashups] {YouTube}
[3] LIVENESS ◊ October 11-13
→ A discussion – B website – C blog – D video
Reading
- Feuer, Jane. "The Concept of Live Television: Ontology as Ideology." Regarding Television. Ed. E. Ann Kaplan. Greenwood Publishing, 1983. (12-22)
- Morse, Margaret. "The News as Performance: The Image As Event." Virtualities: Television, Media Art, and Cyberculture. Indiana University Press, 1998. (36-67)
- McPherson, Tara. "Reload: Liveness, Mobility and the Web." The Visual Culture Reader. Ed. Nicholas Mirzoeff. Routledge, 2002. (458-70)
Screening ◊ news
- MSNBC.com "flow" video [07] {course website} + Good Morning America [clips] {website}
- TV coverage of the John F. Kennedy assassination [excerpts]
- "Four More Years" (TVTV) [60 - excerpt] {VDB.8}
- "The Business of Local News" (University Community Video, Minneapolis) [17] {VDB.7}
- "Citizen Cam" (Jérôme Scemla - Canal +, Paris Première and Saga Films, Iceland: 1999) [26]
- "Spin" (Brian Springer) [10 min. excerpt] {YouTube}
[4] FORM ◊ October 18-20
→ A video – B discussion – C website – D blog
Reading
- Feuer, Jane. "Genre Study and Television." Channels of Discourse, Reassembled (2nd edition). Ed. Robert C. Allen. UNC Press, 1992. (138-160)
- Mittell, Jason. "The Form of Television Narrative" + "Formal Analysis in Action: The Case of Lost" from "Telling Television Stories." Television and American Culture. Oxford University Press, 2009.
- Haralovich, Mary Beth and Michael W. Trosset. "'Expect the Unexpected': Narrative Pleasure and Uncertainty due to Chance in Survivor." Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture. Ed. Susan Murray and Laurie Ouellette. NYU Press, 2004. (75-96)
Screening ◊ marooned
- "WrongWay Feldman" from Gilligan's Island [25] {DVD}
- Lost (first season episode TBD) [42] {DVD}
- Survivor (first season episode TBD) [42] {DVD}
- mashups of Lost and Gilligan's Island {YouTube}
[5] AUDIENCE ◊ October 25-27
→ A blog – B video – C discussion – D website
Reading
- Morley, David. "Changing Paradigms in Audience Studies." Remote Control: Television, Audiences, and Cultural Power. Ed. Ellen Seiter et al. Routledge, 1989. (16-43)
- Ang, Ien. "In the Realm of Uncertainty: The Global Village and Capitalist Postmodernity." Living Room Wars. New York: Routledge, 1996. (162-180)
- Meehan, Eileen R. "Watching Television: A Political Economic Approach." A Companion to Television. Ed. Janet Wasco. Blackwell, 2010. (238-255)
Screening ◊ advertising
- "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" from I Love Lucy [22] {DVD}
- "Jack-Tor" from 30 Rock [22] {DL}
- Mad Men (season 1 episode TBD) [42] {DVD} + Clorox and other commercials aired during Mad Men
- The Price Is Right [clips]
- The Apprentice (first season episode TBD) [42] {DVD}
- "America's Next Top Commercial" and "Product Placement" (student videos) [10] {course website}
- "Production Notes: Fast Food for Thought" (Jason Simon) [excerpt]
[6] GENDER ◊ November 1-3
→ A website – B blog – C video – D discussion
Reading
- Spigel, Lynn. "Television in the Family Circle." Make Room for TV. University of Chicago Press, 1992. (36-72)
- Modleski, Tania. "The Rhythms of Reception." Regarding Television. Ed. E. Ann Kaplan. Greenwood Publishing, 1983.
- Streeter, Thomas and Wendy Wahl. "Audience Theory and Feminism: Property, Gender, and the Television Audience." Camera Obscura 33-34 (1994): (243-261)
Screening ◊ soap
- classic soap opera [clips]
- Passions (episode TBD) [42]
- Desperate Housewives (episode TBD) [42] {DVD}
- Wife Swap (episode TBD) [42]
- Semiotics of the Kitchen (Martha Rosler) [06] {DVD}
[7] RACE ◊ November 8-10
→ A discussion – B website – C blog – D video
Reading
- Lentz, Kirsten Marthe. "Quality versus Relevance: Feminism, Race, and the Politics of the Sign in 1970s Television." Camera Obscura 43 (2000): (45-93)
- Harper, Phillip Brian. "Extra-Special Effects: Televisual Representation and the Claims of the 'Black Experience.'" Living Color: Race and Television in the United States. Duke University Press, 1988. (62-81)
- Sasha Torres, "Television and Race." A Companion to Television. Ed. Janet Wasco. Blackwell, 2010. (395-408)
Screening ◊ comedy
- "Lionel Moves Into the Neighborhood" from All in the Family [22] {DVD}
- "The March" from The Cosby Show [22] {DVD}
- "Mammy Dearest" from A Different World [22] {YouTube}
- Ugly Betty (episode TBD) [42] {DVD}
- Outsourced (episode TBD) [22] {hulu}
- I'm the One that I Want [excerpt] {DVD}
[8] CONVERGENCE ◊ November 15-17
→ A video – B discussion – C website – D blog
Reading
- Caldwell, John. "Convergence Television: Aggregating Form and Repurposing Content in the Culture of Conglomeration." Television After TV. Ed. Lynn Spigel and Jan Olsson. Duke University Press, 2005. (41-74)
- Deuze, Mark. "Convergence Culture and Media Work." Media Industries. Ed. Jennifer Holt and Alisa Perren. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. (144-155)
- Uricchio, William. "The Future of a Medium Once Known as Television." The YouTube Reader. Ed. Pelle Snickars and Patrick Vonderau. National Library of Sweden, 2009. (24-39)
Screening ◊ web/TV
- "Occupation" from Battlestar Galactica [42] + The Resistance [35] {DVD} + selected Video Maker videos {web}
- Quarterlife + 2/8 Life episodes (TBD) and associated videos [30] {YouTube, hulu}
- "Star Spangled Chatter" and "Anthrax" (Jason Vosu) [03] {YouTube}
- "Electronic Behavior Control System" (Emergency Broadcast Network) [05] {YouTube}
- selected TV mashups and political remix videos
→ BREAK ◊ November 22-24
[9] FANDOM ◊ November 29-December 1
→ everyone – presentation of "YouTalk" projects
Reading
- Busse, Coppa, Hellekson, De Kosnik, Russo, and Lothian. "In Focus: Fandom and Feminism." Cinema Journal Vol. 48, No. 4 (Summer 2009): (104-136)
- Jenkins, Henry and Joshua Green. "The Moral Economy of Web 2.0: Audience Research and Convergence Culture." Media Industries. Ed. Jennifer Holt and Alisa Perren. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. (213-225)
- Hastie, Amelie. "The Epistemological Stakes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Television Criticism and Marketing Demands." Undead TV. Ed. Elana Levine and Lisa Parks. Duke University Press, 2007. (74-95)
Screening ◊ TV/fans
- "Hollow Pursuits" from Star Trek: The Next Generation [42] {DVD}
- "Storyteller" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer [42] {DVD}
- "Remixing Popular Culture: Section 1 - Vidding" (Julie Levin Russo and Alexis Lothian, produced by Anita Sarkeesian) [40] http:/
/ vimeo.com/ 13021751} - "Fan Vids and Life On Mars" (student video) and student-selected fan videos {course website}
