VSA2770

Television Studies

(ART)

C Verevis and D Williams

6 points + 4 hours per week + First semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: A first-year subject in Visual Culture or Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies

Synopsis: Employing textual criticism, critical theory and political economy, Television Studies surveys various approaches to the study of broadcast, cable and public television. Consideration is given to various genres of television (news, current affairs, soap operas, sport, etc), as well as to socio-economic forces which shape Australian networks within global and community television spheres. The subject also examines issues of new media, and theories of popular culture, which problematise traditional television theory. Topics for special study include issues of gender, race relations, and consumerism.

Assessment: Visual test (1.5 hours): 40% + Essay (3000 words): 60%