CA450                         History of Broadcasting in the United States     Spring 2002   

 

Tues. and Thurs. 2:30-3:45 1651 Humanities

Screening Wed. 4-6  1651 Humanities

 

Professor Michele Hilmes            mhilmes@facstaff.wisc.edu

                  6156 Vilas Hall     262-2547

                  Office hours:  Tues. and Thurs. 11-12 am and by appointment

 

This course examines U.S. broadcasting in historical perspective, not only as an industry but as an institution of cultural identity.  Basic definitions, functions, and the development of industry structures will be analyzed and linked to the texts they created and the audiences they served.  Students should complete this class with a better understanding of the many economic, regulatory, social and political factors that led to the development of television as we know it, as well as the role that broadcasting has played in the shaping of American culture. 

 

Texts:  Michele Hilmes, Only Connect: A Cultural History of Broadcasting in the United States  (available at Rainbow Book Cooperative, 426 W. Gillman St.)

            _____________, editor,  Connections (Reading packet - available at Coles Copy Center, 555-B State St. - lower level of The Den)

 

Evaluation:

Two take-home essay exams @ 20%                 40%

Research paper – 8-10 pp.

            Topic statement                                    5%

            Proposal                                               10%

            Paper                                                   35%    

Attendance and participation                              10%

 

All exams and papers must be completed to receive a grade for this class.  Make up exams will be scheduled only in cases of documented hardship.  Grades on written assignments will be penalized if handed in late. Attendance at screenings is mandatory, and regular attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged.

 

 

2/22     Intro, screenings

 

Screening:  Empire of the Air, Part I

 

2/24            Chapter 1

 

 

2/29            Chapter 2 pp. 16-24, Winston “How Are Media Born?”

 

Screening:  Empire of the Air, Part II

 

2/31            Chapter 2 pp. 24-33

 

 

2/5            Chapter 3 pp. 35-45, Goodman and Gring, “The Radio Act of 1927”

            Exam I handed out

 

Screening:  Radio programs

 

2/7            Chapter 3 pp. 46-59

 

 

2/12            Chapter 4, pp. 62-72, McChesney, “Crusade Against Mammon”

 

Screening: The Case of Amos ‘n’ Andy

 

2/14            Chapter 4, pp. 72-85

 

 

2/19            Chapter 5, pp. 88- 97            Exam I Due

 

Screening:  Jack Benny, Stella Dallas, Fibber McGee and Molly

 

2/21            Chapter 5, pp. 97-115

 

 

2/26            Chapter 6, pp. 118-129, Meehan, “Why We Don’t Count”

 

Screening:  War broadcasts

 

2/28            Chapter 6, pp. 129-146

 

 

3/5            Chapter 7, pp. 150-165, Karnick, “NBC and the Innovation of Television News”

            Paper topic statements due

 

Screening:  TV News, Drama

 

3/7            Chapter 7, pp. 165-181, Lipsitz, “The Meaning of Memory”

 

 

 

 

3/12            Chapter 8, pp. 183-198,  Haralovich, “Sitcoms and Suburbs”

 

Screening:  TV Sitcoms

 

3/14            Chapter 8, pp. 198-215, Spigel, “From Domestic Space to Outer Space”

 

 

3/19            Chapter 9, pp. 218-240, Vianello, “The Rise of the Telefilm”

 

Screening:  Smothers Brothers, All In the Family

 

3/21            Chapter 9, pp. 240-252, Pach, “And That’s The Way It Was”  Proposals Due

 

 

3/26, 3/28            Spring Break

 

 

4/2            Chapter 10, pp. 255-271, Williams, “Feeding Off the Past”

 

Screening:  the Silverman era

 

4/4            Chapter 10, pp. 271-289, Edgerton, “High Concept, Small Screen”

 

 

4/9            Chapter 11, pp. 291-294; Screening That 80s Show

 

Screening:  Frank’s Place, Cosby, Roseanne

 

4/11             Chapter 11, pp. 294-309, Aufderheide, “Cable Television and the Public Interest”

 

 

4/16            Chapter 11, pp. 309-326, Gray, “Recodings”     Papers Due    

 

Screening:  My So-Called Life, Twin Peaks

 

4/18            Chapter 12, 329-350, Rowland, “US Broadcasting Policy and the Public Interest”

Exam II handed out

 

 

4/23            Chapter 12, pp. 350-365, Becker, “Prime-Time Television in the Gay Nineties”

 

Screening:  Ellen, Seinfeld, Friends

 

 4/25            Chapter 13, pp. 279-292, Boddy, “US Television Abroad” 

 

 

 

4/30             Chapter 13, pp. 292-303, Curtin, “Feminine Desire in the Age of Satellite TV”

 

Screening:  international programs

 

5/2             Chapter 14  

 

          

 

Exam II Due Monday May 6 by 4:30