Contemporary English studies: Reading Television: Masculinity, femininity and the canon 2510-f1ENG2S-CES-RT
- https://moodle.umk.pl/course/view.php?id=7970 (term 2024/25L)
The class aims to broaden and contextualise the students' knowledge concerning one of the dominant forms of early 21st century English-language culture, namely: scripted television series, with a particular focus on American television.
The course consists of an introductory module, familiarising the students with the American television landscape and its changes, the notion of the canon as it may be applied to television studies, and introducing relevant critical and theoretical approaches. The students will learn about generic distinctions and the chronology of selected influential English-language, American and co-produced TV series and the channels/distributors that broadcast them.
Subsequently, the students will learn about selected phenomena associated with contemporary television, such as the rise anti-hero drama, auteurial television series, the influence of societal and political changes (such as the recession or Obama's presidency) on television, discussing representation of masculinity and femininity, changing audiences and various storytelling modes.
Total student workload
Learning outcomes - skills
Observation/demonstration teaching methods
Expository teaching methods
- discussion
Exploratory teaching methods
- case study
- project work
- seminar
Type of course
Course coordinators
Assessment criteria
Assessment of classroom performance and/or Moodle task completion showcasing knowledge of assigned readings documented by the teacher in an activity log. (U1, U2) (30%)
End of semester essay or presentation (U1, U2, U3) (70%)
Final paper is assessed with regard to using knowledge gained in class and researched sources, as well as correct essay structure and English lexis and grammar.
Assessment criteria:
3 - 60-69%
3.5 - 70-75%
4 - 76-83%
4.5 - 84-90%
5 - 91-100%
Active participation in classes is obligatory in a tutorial; therefore, persistent lack of preparation or unexcused absences can lead to a lowered grade or result in a failing grade.
Practical placement
Not applicable
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: