Section A04: Television
We all "do" television; but how do we study it critically? This seminar will give you the tools to engage TV as self-aware consumers and citizens. What is the "essence" of TV? What is the nature of TV spectatorship? How do we become smart "news" viewers? How well do media institutions know their audiences? How much power do TV fans hold? Is public TV a good alternative to commercial TV? We will survey and discuss some of the approaches that TV scholars have taken to engage these questions. Ultimately, this seminar will prepare you to conceptualize an original research project on TV that you will research, write and present to your peers.