The Television Age
Communication Studies 423
Course Outline
and Objectives
- Course Home Page
- Course Outline and Objectives
- Unit 1
- Unit 2
- Unit 3
- Unit 4
- Unit 5
- Unit 6
- Unit 7
- Unit 8
- Unit 9
- Unit 10
- Unit 11
- Unit 12
- Study Schedule
- Student Evaluation
- Discussion Board
- Online Resources
- Course Announcements
Student Manual (pdf)- Study Guide (pdf)
Unit 5
Genres and Formats II
In Unit 5, we continue our consideration of the ideological functions of television genres. We discuss in greater detail the extent to which genres are able to develop, change and cross-fertilize, and the social factors that permit then to do so. Finally, we look at the similarities and differences between related genres—soap operas and situation comedies, and science fiction and horror series—and consider the functions each may fill.
Objectives
After completing this unit, you should be able to
- analyse the ideologies beneath the surface of formulaic narratives.
- analyse changes in genre structure or approach.
- discuss the kinds of ideas and representations found in situation comedies and soap operas.
- discuss the kinds of ideas and representations found in science fiction and horror series.
