107-077 Television and Australian Culture

Usually 12.5 points of first year cinema studies, see Prerequisites. For cultural studies students 50 points of first year arts including at least 25 points from a specified list of subject areas, see Prerequisites.

This subject forms a study of television in its multiple dimensions - aesthetic, social, cultural and institutional. The focus of the subject is on Australian television, however the influence of British and American models in the formative years will be examined. Students will also explore the recent trend towards globalisation in the electronic media in relation to contemporary Australian television programming and advertising. Topics explored may include pay television, audience reception studies, the televisual aesthetic of flow and segmentation and public access television. Students should conclude the semester with an understanding of television in terms of different theories of the relationship between mass media, popular culture and society; the historical development of television broadcasting in Australia; the differences between televisual and cinematic forms of spectatorship; and the nature of television genres in terms of their style, structure and appeal.

A classpaper, an essay and a take-home examination totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.

• J Tulloch & G Turner (eds), Australian Television: Programs, Pleasures and Politics. Allen & Unwin, 1989.