DMC 298 - TV Studies: TV to Streaming

How we watch TV has fundamentally changed since the medium’s inception. We stream countless networks on countless devices, while previous generations got up to change the channel on a TV set into a cabinet. To understand how we got here, this class will explore the evolution of TV from the radio era (and the sinking of the Titanic) to the current streaming wars. Students will consider how different models—network TV, cable, and streaming—affect consumers’ access, how the representation of identity reflects US culture, and how TV’s mode of production affects the final product. Finally, students will learn how to critically engage (while still enjoying) the shows—from I Love Lucy to The Last of Us—that have powerfully shaped American life.

Credits 4

Notes
From time to time, departments design a new course to be offered either on a one-time basis or an experimental basis before deciding whether to make it a regular part of the curriculum.

Compass Attributes
Humanities