ATS2257 · Bingeing to branding: Television in the age of streaming

Overview

The post-2000 era has seen radical transformations in the way television is produced, distributed, viewed and valued. This unit traces the development of one of the most visible and successful outcomes of these shifts, global long-form television series that experiment boldly with complex serial narratives, self-conscious stylistics and provocative themes and characters. Areas for discussion include the millennial industrial developments that enable these series to be produced, the critical discourses of 'quality' television that construct their artistic status, the transnational markets in which they circulate, and the audiences and fans that give them a cult life beyond the screen. Through examination of how these systems and strategies both break with and continue historical televisual traditions, the unit demonstrates how the long-form mode of storytelling exemplifies the cultural form of television as the most vital and influential of the millennial era.

Areas of study: Film and screen studies

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. critically analyse a range of streaming television content;
2. articulate and apply a range of contemporary theory in television studies;
3. conduct research and develop a critical argument in a manner appropriate to second year study;
4. demonstrate skills in providing commentary and criticism on streaming television content and readings.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.