Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Television genres are central to the popular and academic discussion of television tests. Defining genres-describing boundaries and crossing them-is a practice undertaken by both television producers and audiences alike. In television studies, the identification of genres has provided a way of mapping the field and delimiting an area for study. This unit looks at contemporary television genres and their historical, aesthetic and ideological development. Genres of television considered in this unit include: advertising, news, sports, music, action, comedy, soap opera, children's, talk shows, game shows, lifestyle, reality, and event television.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit students will be expected to demonstrate: a critical understanding of the concept of genre as it applies to television texts; an understanding of the historical development of genres on and for television; an understanding of the episodic and serial nature of television genres; a knowledge of the various industrial, aesthetic and ideological factors that contribute to an understanding of television genres; an ability to define, and critically engage with, specific television genres; an understanding of the likeness and specificity of local and global television genres; an appreciation of the ways in which television genres contribute to the pleasure and possibilities of popular television; an ability to engage with written and televisual texts in a clear and confident manner in both written and oral presentation; and a deeper understanding of theoretical debates in the field of television genres specifically at it applies to the concept of genre.

Assessment

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

Contact hours

1 x 1-hour lecture, 1-hour tutorial, 2-hour screening per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Film and television studies
Communications

Prerequisites

One unit at first-year level in Film and television or approved discipline

Prohibitions

FTV2010