Whether you are streaming a new series, watching an episode on broadcast television or discussing it on social media, you are engaging with a narrative form that remains central to contemporary culture. ‘Televisual’ invites you to explore the significance of television narrative and its impact on how stories are produced and received today. We will do so through the close analysis of a selection of case studies, moving from the 1950s’ ‘I Love Lucy’ through to ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Twin Peaks’. In doing so, we will engage with some of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries’ most important theorists of television and media, including Raymond Williams and Marshall McLuhan. Beginning with television’s emergence as a mass medium in the 1950s, we will consider the various ways in which television has been produced, transmitted and received. Our investigation will move from television’s reliance on studio recording and broadcast schedules to the development of cable television, digital devices and streaming platforms. We will ask what makes televisual storytelling distinct and consider whether television has influenced the development of other narrative forms. The course will conclude with Jane Schoenbrun’s 2024 film ‘I Saw the TV Glow’, which explores television fandom and the relationship between screen narratives, memory and identity.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and closely analyse distinctive generic and/or formal elements of television narrative;
- analyse narrative television through critical engagement with relevant theory and debate;
- read, write and argue effectively about the emergence and development of television narrative in the late-twentieth and early-twenty-first centuries; and
- develop a critical stance on the role that televisual forms play in representing contemporary screen culture as well as imagining and shaping that culture.
Indicative Assessment
- Supervised Media Concept Exercise (750 words) (25) [LO 1,2,3]
- Independent Television Analysis (1500 words) (35) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final Examination (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time, comprising:
a) 36 hours of contact: twelve weekly three-hour seminars.
b) 94 hours of independent study, including viewing prescribed television texts, reading, assessment preparation, research, writing and examination preparation.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Assumed Knowledge
It is recommended that students have completed both ENGL1100 and ENGL1200.
Areas of Interest
- Cultural Studies
- English
- Gender Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Literature
- Film
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4620 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4817 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |