FIL-10006 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Introduction to Television Studies begins with the history and culture of television, before going on to key academic debates in the field, including representations of gender, race, reality, quality, and, finally, considering the future of television. Case studies of specific televisual texts will be analysed to elucidate academic debates surrounding the contemporary study of television. Students will develop skills in the textual and critical analysis of television. In addition, students will also consider broadcasting institutions within the larger field of public service and transnational media. Indicative content may include: Quatermass and the Pit, The Sweeney, Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, South Park, Orange is the New Black, Making a Murderer, and Ripper Street.
This module is taught through one lecture and one seminar per week. It is assessed by one short paper (1000 words, 30% of the overall assessment) and one essay (2000 words, 70% of the overall assessment).

To familiarise students with the study of television;
To identify and analyse through diverse examples the significance of television aesthetics and how these aesthetic choices shape preferred televisual meanings;
To analyse some of the historical and technological developments in and of television;
To enable students to practice close analysis through formal written exercises and reflective diaries.

Intended Learning Outcomes

engage in detailed close analysis of selected televisual texts using appropriate terminology accurately: 1,2
identify and describe the defining features of television genres: 1,2
analyse the texts studied in line with scholarly themes such as society, identity, gender, race and class: 1,2
write concisely and competently, in both short and extended written forms, about a variety of televisual texts: 1,2

Study hours

10 x 1 hour lectures: 10 hours
10 x 1 hour small group classes: 10 hours
Weekly 1 hour screening: 10 hours
Class preparation: 35 hours
Short paper preparation: 25 hours
Essay preparation: 60 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment