Art and Craft of Television

MDAR 335-01

School of Continuing Studies ? Tulane University

Thursdays, 5:45 PM – 8:25 PM, Fall 2006

Mr. Kelly Fogarty, Instructor

Voicemail: 905-0070 ? Email: kfogarty@tulane.edu

Office hours before and after class and by appointment

Class Description

Considerable portions of our lives are spent centered on television. It is a companion. It is a contact for surveillance, authority and entertainment in our lives. It has significantly contributed to the progress of communications in our society. And it is viewed as being part reflective, part distortive and part fantasy. This class is designed to analyze the art and craft of television—from how it works to content and programming trends as well as its business operation. This class depends on your participation and you are expected to share opinions and examples of what you find occurring on television.

Class Textbook

The text for this course is The Broadcasting Television Industry by James Walker and Douglas Ferguson, published by Allyn & Bacon. Additionally, articles from periodicals and Web sites will be utilized.

Class Requirements

There will be a variety of assignments that reflect the information presented in class and demonstrate your ability to provide your own critical analysis of television programming. Additionally, you must have access to a television (and possibly a VCR or DVR) to watch required television programs. Keeping up with the assigned textbook readings and advance viewing of assigned television programs is essential!

Assignments:

Grading:

Important Notice

Using someone else’s evaluation of a TV program as your own is considered academic dishonesty and plagiarism. This is not allowed and will be handled as described in the Tulane Honor Code. Additionally, no make up of exams allowed unless arrangements are made in advance. Mid-Term and Final exams, if missed, must be taken within one (1) week of scheduled exam date.

Class Outline

Each TV program analysis assignment is to be completed in class on dates outlined in the syllabus. If you miss a class and need the assignment—email the instructor and it will be sent to you to complete at home and turned in at the next class.

TV Program Term Paper

The social utility function explains the phenomenon of how people engage others in discussion about what happened on a television show. With this in mind, you will prepare a written critique on any TV program of interest; however advance instructor approval is required.

The objective is to challenge more in-depth analysis of television programs and greater consideration of the possible media effects on viewers. To this end, your grade will be based on the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your program observations.

Written Critique – Due December 7th

Each student will prepare a written TV program critique of no more than 3 pages in length and include:

A cover page with the following--

·         The name of the TV program watched

·         The network or cable station on which it appeared

·         The date and time it aired

·         The program’s genre and TV content rating code

PLUS

The critique MUST be organized in sections (paragraphs) so the following headings are included--

1.       A summary of the program’s content – what the show was about

2.       Five examples of stereotypes that were used – how characters on the show were portrayed

3.       Five examples of “themes” that were explored – the subject matter covered in the program

4.       Five examples of advertised products or product placement – and what they reflect about viewers

5.       Discussion on what program reflects about society values – the underlying message of the program

Format the paper with one-inch margins and a type size of 12 points. Critiques are to be no more than 3 pages in length. Please do not submit critiques in a presentation folder or binder.

TV Program Term Paper due on December 7th—no exceptions.