FTMTFW-Television: Exploring Fictional Worlds

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring (Double presentation)
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: FT3TFW Television: Exploring Fictional Worlds
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Tonia Kazakopoulou
Email: a.kazakopoulou@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores the immersive nature of television fiction storytelling in both long-form and limited construction. Television’s fictional worlds can span years, shifting and changing across their lifetimes or be told in their entirety over a short serial. They are constructed and explored through creative decisions pertaining to the use of camera, performance, post-production, etc. Through a set of case studies we will explore a selection of programme in depth, each covered in two to three weeks of teaching. Looking at a selection of episodes (or a whole run for short serials) we will explore these fictional worlds from different angles, which can include aesthetics, storytelling, social and cultural contexts, marketing and distribution, audiences and fandom, production and industry contexts. Genres may include but are not limited to telefantasy, soap, melodrama, crime drama, period drama (these are subject to change based on staffing availability). 

This module is taught twice to two different cohorts of students - first in the Autumn term and then repeated in the Spring term.  The 200 contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in the Autumn term, and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in the Spring term. 

Aims:

• Develop rigorous close analysis skills  


• Explore a single programme through different theoretical concepts and contexts 


• Consider how the television industry and audiences may impact a programme’s development and changes across its run 


• Gain an understanding of different approaches to television narrative structures 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Evidence an independent critical, artistic, and technical understanding to undertake practical experiments in adaptation.


• Relate practical decisions in creative practice to theoretical, critical and cultural ideas explored over the degree and in this module;


• Analyse and engage with central discussions around adaptation as an artistic, cultural, and political practice in film, theatre, and television.


• Demonstrate a critical understanding of adaptation within its wider industrial, technological, cultural and political contexts. 


• A sophisticated critical understanding of a range of case study programmes; 


• Ability to apply different thematic and methodological approaches to the analysis of a single television text 


• Develop textual analysis skills to produce a sustained analysis of a programme’s creative choices 


• Undertake independent research and exploration of a specific area of the field and present this work to a broader audience.

Additional outcomes:

The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies, which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT. 

Outline content:

The module is organised around its three to four central case study programmes, each of which is studied for two to three weeks. Students will bring together their contextual reading and screenings of pertinent materials through seminar discussions. 

Global context:

The global reach of the module is largely determined by the international selection of case studies programmes; these will be placed in the context of globalised contemporary television industries.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Within the two-hour class, a range of teaching styles will be used and may vary from week to week. Where appropriate, mini-lectures will be used to establish contexts and introduce issues for discussion and debate. The dominant teaching form will be the seminar, which will concentrate primarily on close analysis of programmes and discussion of critical approaches, and through which students can test out and develop their thinking in a supportive environment. Seminars will require preparation in the form of weekly screenings and specified critical reading, though some may be allocated for individual tutorials for assessments. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	16
Tutorials	2
Project Supervision	36
Demonstration	2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10
Wider reading (directed)	30
Advance preparation for classes	24
Preparation for tutorials	2
Preparation for seminars	24
Essay preparation	50
Reflection	4
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Short Esaay


2. Oral Assessment 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: £25 theatre trip

Last updated: 18 September 2023