Response to Speaking of Soap Operas — Due February 22nd
Summarize the argument and approach in Allen’s book, focusing specifically on his conception of genre. What genre theories that we have read seem to correspond with or contradict Allen’s approach? How might Allen respond to some of the issues we have raised throughout the course? How would you categorize his approach to soap operas? Do you agree with his argument or approach? How might you answer the questions he poses differently? Address any or all of these issues (or additional points that strike you as relevant in reading the book) in a well-organized and clearly written 2-page (single-spaced) essay.
Textual Analysis Assignment — Due March 1st
So far this semester, we’ve investigated a number of theoretical approaches to genre analysis. Now it’s time to open up our "toolbox" and apply some of these ideas to a specific example. For this 5-6 page (double-spaced) essay, you will choose one text from a list of television programs to analyze using the genre theories we’ve discussed thus far. Each program is a "mixed" case of some sort.
The list of options is:
The Larry Sanders Show — a half-hour mix of talk show and situation comedy from the 1990s.
Soap — a half-hour sitcom parody of a soap opera from the late-’70s (note — you should watch at least two episodes of this show to see how the episodes tie together)
The Sopranos — an hour-long family drama/gangster drama (plus more?) from the late-1990s.
South Park — a half-hour "adult" animated sitcom from the late-1990s.
Sports Night — a half-hour "dramedy" from the late-1990s.
All tapes will be on reserve at Pullen Library Media Center (2nd floor South) — you may watch them in the library only. You must watch the specific episodes of the programs that are on reserve — if you know the show more broadly, you can refer to other episodes but must focus on the selected tapes. You can discuss any of the episodes on the selected tapes and you may refer to multiple episodes from the tapes if you choose.
The goal of your essay is to apply the genre theories we have studied to better understand this text and its generic categories. The basic question you should try to answer is "how do genre theories help us understand this television program?" In answering this question, you should apply a range of theoretical perspectives by hypothesizing how each theorist and approach would examine this program.
In applying your theoretical tools to the programs, you must draw from all of the following:
In applying these theoretical approaches to your selected programs, you should explore the questions each approach would ask about the text, the methods each would use to answer these questions, and some possible analysis that each approach would offer. You do not have to do any research beyond the scope of watching the tapes and reviewing the course readings, but if you believe that a given theoretical approach would require or encourage extra-textual research, please indicate how that research might hypothetically progress and what it might tell you.
In applying each of the approaches to your selected program, consider the strengths and weakness of each approach and assess which would be more or less effective in dealing with these television shows (and why). Conclude your essay by offering your own take on the various theories we’ve studied and discuss what perspective(s) you find most compelling and convincing.
You should be as specific as possible in citing specific genre cues in the texts that you are analyzing and drawing upon the ideas from the readings. Please do not quote from readings unless absolutely necessary (and then only use brief quotations) — if you do use a quotation, please provide the page number in parenthesis as a citation.
Your essay should be well-organized, clearly written, and well-detailed. It must be typed and double-spaced. Late papers will be penalized following the policy explained in the course syllabus.