LT123-4-SP-CO:
Contemporary Television

The details
2026/27
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
26 February 2025

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

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Key module for

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Module description

This module aims to introduce students to a range of critical approaches for analysing contemporary television. 


Looking at television from the US and the UK from the last 30 years, students will gain an understanding into the ways in which scholars have investigated and interrogated these texts through key theoretical and conceptual frameworks. The module will consider our understanding of television through key issues in production, distribution, consumption, reception and representation. The module is broken into two parts. Part one examines television as text, particularly considering the role of broadcasters, networks and platforms in creating this text. Part two examines the ways in which ideologies, for example, gender, race, and sexuality are taken up in contemporary television.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To introduce students to key critical approaches to television from television studies.

  • To critically apply these approaches to key televisual texts from the US and the UK over the last 30 years.

  • To give students an understanding of the significant changes occurring in the medium of television, including production, consumption and representation.

  • To critically analyse the changing nature of television as a medium.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be expected to:



  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key issues relating to television and television studies.

  2. Demonstrate an ability to interrogate issues pertaining to television through various theoretical and contextual frameworks.

  3. Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate the changing nature of television over the last 30 years.

  4. Submit written material for an assessment in line with departmental standards for academic work.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Ten 1-hour lectures
  • Ten 1-hour seminars

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Close-Textual Analysis Assignment (1,000 words)    35% 
Coursework   Essay (2,000 words)    60% 
Practical   Participation Mark    5% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Sarah Smyth, email: sarah.smyth@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Dan O'Brien (AU), Dr Sarah Smyth (SP)
liftstt@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

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