- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
American Television Series after 2000 4219-SD0028-OG
The course provides an introduction to one of the most explosively developing segments of contemporary American media: the drama television series. While the course will sketch out a tentative history of American series in the new millennium, it is primarily focused on specific aspects of its cultural form. Each week will be built around one television title which will provide openings to the examination and discussion of selected issues (series format and its transformations; visual and aural design; complexity; audience and fan activity, etc.) as well as themes and tropes (race, gender, class, future, etc.). Some of the series discussed in the course include, among others, The Wire (2002-2008), Lost (2004-2010), Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), True Detective (2014-2019), Mr. Robot (2015-), The Expanse (2015-), and Sense8 (2015-2018).
Please note that although the course does not require prior knowledge of American television, it is somewhat demanding in terms of viewing: every week students will be expected to watch either one season of a selected series or 1-2 episodes of several series. There will be some weeks with lighter viewing load but in general the course requires significant screen time.
Type of course
foreign languages
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this course a student:
1. KNOWLEDGE
• has a knowledge of contemporary television series in the United States
• is aware of the evolution of television series and its diversity
• has an extensive knowledge of contexts of American television
2. SKILLS
• is able to use critical tools
• is able to formulate critical arguments about American television
• is able to use a range of theoretical apparatuses in analyses of individual issues, phenomena, and texts
3. SOCIAL COMPETENCES
• is aware of the cultural significance of television
• is open to new phenomena and ideas in American popular culture
• understands and appreciates the role of the United States in shaping global conventions of television
Assessment criteria
Students are expected to watch assigned movies, read assigned texts, attend classes, participate in class discussion, and write a final essay/project.
1) Final paper/project – 40%
2) Class participation – 20%
3) Slack activity – 40%
Final grade (comprising the above components):
• over 90% – 5
• 85-89% – 4+
• 80-84% – 4
• 70-79% – 3+
• 60-69% – 3
Bibliography
Selected critical titles include but are not limited to:
* Nick Browne - American Television: New Directions in History and Theory
* Sandra Falero - Digital Participatory Culture and the TV Audience: Everyone’s a Critic
* John Fiske - Reading Television
* Mareike Jenner - Netflix and the Re-invention of Television
* Jason Mittel - Genre and Television: From Cop Shows to Cartoons in American Culture
* Jason Mittell - Complex TV:The Poetics of Contemporary Television Storytelling
* Toni Pape - Figures of Time: Affect and the Television of Preemption
+ wide selection of press articles
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: