ATS2257 - Long-form television: "HBO" and beyond - 2019

The post-2000 era has seen radical transformations in the way television is produced, distributed, viewed and valued. This unit traces the development of one of the most visible and successful outcomes of these shifts, global long-form television series that experiment boldly with complex serial narratives, self-conscious stylistics and provocative themes and characters. Areas for discussion include the millennial industrial developments that enable these series to be produced, the critical discourses of 'quality' television that construct their artistic status, the transnational markets in which they circulate, and the audiences and fans that give them a cult life beyond the screen. Through examination of how these systems and strategies both break with and continue historical televisual traditions, the unit demonstrates how the long-form mode of storytelling exemplifies the cultural form of television as the most vital and influential of the millennial era.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1. critically analyse a range of contemporary long-form television texts from different national contexts;
2. understand and apply a range of contemporary theories in television studies;
3. demonstrate an ability to conduct research and develop a critical argument in a manner appropriate to second year study;
4. demonstrate skills in providing commentary and criticism on television texts and readings in classroom environments.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Film and screen studies