TCF 311 Section 001: Critical Stdy Television

Jeremy Butler Office: 486B Phifer Office hours: TT 3:15-5:00, & by appt. 348-6350

jbutler@ua.edu www.tcf.ua.edu/jbutler

Critical analysis of television programs and commercials. Examples are presented for study and evaluation.

Or permission of instructor.

At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the shaping of television history and the impact of diverse groups on that history;
2. Understand how television style is created and what impact it has;
3. Dissect TV narrative structure.
4. Write correctly and clearly (evaluating their work for accuracy and fairness, appropriate style, and grammatical correctness);
5. Evaluate concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of television; and
6. Think critically, creatively, and independently.

Your progress will be assessed through:

• Four exams, which will mostly consist of analytical essays of TV programs and be based on the principles in Television. The fourth exam will be held during the Final Exam period and will focus on Channels of Discourse. Worth 25 points each. 
• Extra Credit Option: An extra credit option, worth 3 points and due the Friday of Study Week, is explained here.

Please note: This is a seminar class which depends heavily upon students having done the readings and being prepared to discuss them in class. If the majority of the class fails to do a reading assignment then an in-class essay may be assigned and factored into the grading as part of the exam scores. 

Students may earn up to 4 extra credit points. Details are over here.

Make-up tests/exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. No tests/exams will be given before their scheduled dates.

Grades will be posted on eLearning.

Grading scale:

A+ 97-100   C+ 77-79    F  59 and below
A  93-96    C  73-76
A- 90-92    C- 70-72
B+ 87-89    D+ 67-69
B  83-86    D  63-66
B- 80-82    D- 60-62

Please browse to the online course schedule.

 

Numerous TV programs will be shown on DVD in class. There will be no other screenings of the programs, but local video stores do carry a few of the titles, and two or three of them are available in the audio-visual section of the Gorgas Library.

Credits are available from the Internet Movie Database. Follow the links below to find credits.

Each absence beyond four for the semester (including the evening screenings) will result in one point being deducted from your final total. (Up to five points may be deducted.)

Cell phones must be turned off during classtime--especially during screenings. Text messaging is not permitted during class. Any use of cell phones during exams will be considered academic misconduct.

College of Communication & Information Sciences majors must earn a "C" or better in all required and elective courses in their major. A "C" or better is required in all external courses required by the major whether they serve as a prerequisite to a major course or are simply required by the major. This means a "C" of any kind.

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

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• Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
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