Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 x 3 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay (2500 words) | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay (2500 words) - (to a new title) | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Resit | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Discuss contemporary television drama using and applying critical methods gained from current and past academic sources.
Examine the textual construction of a televisual narrative; Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural, institutional and political context in which the chosen programmes are both made and received
Create a coherent and sustained written argument
Brief description
This module will focus on contemporary television drama. Each week a different TV drama will be explored and analysed in lectures, screenings and seminars. however, this does not mean that the module in only interested in these specific programmes or is simply text orientated. Instead, each drama will be examined as individual examples around which larger areas of theoretical debate and discussion (such as issues of genre, feminism, politics, the representation of history and identity and so on) can be discussed. The wider context in which these dramas are situated (such as issues of technology, institution, audience/reception and the historical development of television as a whole) will also be explored and encouraged in students' own work. While it is therefore recommended that essays should focus on a drama covered in this part of the module, it is not compulsory. A screening of an appropriate drama will follow each lecture and seminars will focus on close readings of that text.
Content
10 x 3 hour Lecture/Seminar/Viewings
1. TV Drama: Then & Now.
2. Stylistic Developments: TV Drama Comes of Age.
3. Narrative Complexity & Serialisation.
4. Quality TV Drama.
5. Nordic Noir and its Influence.
6. Telefantasy.
7. Queer Representations.
8. Third-Wave Feminism.
9. Representing History (Band of Brothers)
10. Revision
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon basic statistical data (primarily presented in percentages), through encouraging key research studies in the field. |
| Communication | Students' written communication skills will be developed (e.g. appropriate language and style, accuracy, precision and ability to be concise). Although not assessed, opportunities will be given, through interactive lecture-workshop sessions, for students to develop confidence in using their speaking and listening skills when communicating their ideas. Although not assessed, students will develop oral presentation skills by articulating their ideas to the group and putting together a systematic presentation |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. Students will develop their critical thinking skills. Through group and whole class discussion students will be given opportunities to develop an awareness of the opinions of others and reconsider initial ideas if necessary. |
| Information Technology | Students will be given the opportunity to develop their authorial and note-taking skills when planning and preparing fo the written assignments, and will be encouraged to develop their note-taking skills in lectures. Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using electronic search an dretrieval of sources both on the web and on the AU LIS. Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, and will focus on the selection of materials appropriate to task. Students will be required to present the essay in word processed form. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate current knowledge and skills and set targets for self-improvement. Students will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for managing their own learning. Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resources distributed throughout the module). Students will develop self-confidence in public speaking, particularly valuable for those wishing to work in the advertising industry. |
| Problem solving | Student should be able to identify tensions and debates in the field, and will be encouraged to critically reflect. Students should gain experience in applying different approaches and materials to understand data and other patterns in research |
| Research skills | Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval . Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. Students will be encouraged to evaluate, interpret and reflect upon a variety of sources, and to make links to accomodate new ideas. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Most sessions will involve group work where students will be able to collaborate through discussion. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5