| Unit name | Television: Ideas and Industry |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATV30020 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Piper |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit you will engage with the big issues and debates which surround the television industry and its programmes. The unit begins by comparing the vision and practice of early British television with the present complexities of the international television market and contemporary consumer culture. You will then examine key
debates about television through a series of themes such as public service, audience, diversity, quality, nation, and to consider how expectations shift in an increasingly plural and multiplatform environment that includes both broadcast and streaming services.
The unit looks at television from inside and out, and there will also be a chance to explore what it is to make creative decisions within the operational logic of the industry, by developing and pitching programme ideas for commissioning.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Complementing the textual and historical approaches taught in previous years, this unit invites you to look more closely at television's industrial, political and institutional contexts. It will be an opportunity to engage critically and intellectually in the debates that have shaped the industry, as well as to explore what it is to work creatively and practically.
An overview of content
In this unit students will:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will build on the range of critical, practical and historical competencies taught in previous units, inviting a different perspective that makes the ecology of television provision its focus, and explores what it is to work creatively within its market logic.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
weekly lecture/seminar or workshop plus screenings
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
In class brief presentation of project ideas prior to summative presentation, for which verbal feedback will be given.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
The presentation involves collaborative group work and a shared mark. In the event that a student fails or is unable to contribute to and/or complete the group project an individual development assignment will be set.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. FATV30020).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
