Chapter 13 covers television programming. However, much of the TV programming we watch isn’t viewed on a TV, but rather a computer or tablet. For this exercise you are asked to interview three people about their current favorite TV program (where TV programming is defined as a serial audio-visual presentation – that is, it has multiple episodes that are presented and marketed as being part of a series). It might be something that was originally distributed on a broadcast or cable network. It might be something that is original to an online streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. Then you’re asked analyze the interviews as well as a program you yourself like, and explore the personal and social implications of these entertainment preferences.
Before starting this paper make sure you’ve read up on the television industry and review information about the social functions of media for individuals.
Please try to select three people that you know who are different from each other – it could be people of different ages or generations, different genders, different professions or academic interests, different races, ethnicities or cultural backgrounds, or levels of comfort with technology. They should not be classmates who are taking this course (or another section of this course) this semester. However, they could be friends, family members, co-workers, or teammates.
As you are doing the interviews, ask your interview subjects to talk about at least two aspects of the show: the content and how they watch it. Ask them about what the show is about and why they like it. Is it informative? Is it entertaining? What do they learn or enjoy and why do they think it’s better from other, similar shows. Also ask to describe how they usually watch. For example, is it something they like to watch with a group of friends or family, or do they prefer to watch alone? Do they binge (can they binge?) or do they watch one episode each week. Do they use a “second screen” when they watch the program? Listen carefully, take notes, and ask follow-up questions if they say something that you think is interesting. Consider together whether how they watch the program makes it more enjoyable to you.
Then, identify your own favorite show (Modern FAMILY ON ABC) and think about some of the same issues: what is it about, how do you usually watch it, and does the way you watch the show contribute why you like it.
HERE ARE MY TAKEAWAYS FROM MODERN FAMILY
“Modern Family” is a fantastic choice! It’s a sitcom that revolves around the lives of Jay Pritchett and his family, including his second wife, his stepson, and their families. The show cleverly portrays the dynamics of a diverse, multi-generational family through a mockumentary style.
As for how I usually watch it, I’d say I have the luxury of accessing episodes on streaming platforms or catching reruns on TV. Binge-watching is definitely my preferred method, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the storylines and character development. Watching it this way certainly contributes to my enjoyment; I can appreciate the continuity of the narrative arcs and notice subtler details that may not be as apparent when watching sporadically.
The show’s humor, relatable family dynamics, and the way it addresses contemporary issues with heart and wit are what draw me to it. Plus, the stellar cast and their impeccable comedic timing make it an absolute joy to watch. Whether it’s Claire’s Type-A antics, Phil’s endearing goofiness, or Cam and Mitchell’s hilarious misadventures, “Modern Family” never fails to entertain and resonate with me.”
Once the interviews are done, write a four-page paper describing your interviews and your own experience, linking them to the course content and discussing their implications. You should apply the principles and tools of media literacy in your analysis.
Specifically, your paper should do the following:
Include a brief introduction that previews your main points.
Describe who you interviewed and what they told you, as well as your own favorite show. The paper is going to be awkward and hard to follow if you just summarize each interview in sequence. Instead, look for patterns and seek to present them in a clear and coherent way. Are some of your interviewees more like each other? Can you categorize them (and you) into different “types” of viewers? What are the primary things that you all have in common? How do you differ? Keep in mind that this is an opportunity to show off some of the specific concepts and ideas that you’ve learned from the course (which is something we’ll be looking for as we grade your paper). For example, are any of you cord cutters or cord shavers? Who is using and OTT services versus MVPDs? Did anyone talk about social television?
Finally – and this is toughest part – consider two types of implications of your favorite TV show.
Personal Consider what sort of functions these programs fulfill for you and the people you interviewed. (The information on pages 14 to 16 might be useful here.) Why do you think you and the people you interviewed gravitate towards these particular shows? Why do you watch them in these ways?
Social Also consider the implications of entertainment preferences like yours and the people you interviewed. If many people had similar to your group, what sort of ideas and perspectives would be socialized? Would it contribute to polarization? What types of television or media outlets are likely to earn enough revenue to survive?
This section of the paper is an opportunity to show that you understand and can apply some of broader abstract concepts and principles covered in the course. There is room to be creative and address the aspects of the issues that are most interesting to you. However, the stronger papers will show a solid grounding in course concepts, and present thoughtful, well-reasoned arguments backed up with evidence.
Your grade for the paper will be based on two things. Part of your paper grade is based on how you present your ideas. Since you are a college student, we expect you to be able to communicate what you mean clearly and to use proper spelling and grammar. We also expect you to format your paper and cite your sources in a specific way. While you may make an error or two doing so, if you don’t even try, or use a format other than the one we ask for, you are letting us know you do not care about our expectations or your grade. Finally, we expect you to organize your ideas in a coherent way. You shouldn’t repeat yourself unnecessarily or skip around from topic to topic. Each paragraph should be designed to communicate a specific point. Furthermore, the paragraphs should be should be presented in a logical order and transition sentences should be used to indicate how they relate to each other.
The rest of the grade is based on the ideas that you present. Specifically, it will be based on how thoroughly and thoughtfully you seem to have carried out and analyzed the interviews, the depth of the understanding you show of class concepts pertaining to the television industry and trends in media. A strong paper will demonstrate to the reader that you have reviewed and understand the concepts about the media that are presented in the readings and lectures. It will also demonstrate that you can do more than accurately repeat back what you’ve read or heard. It will show that you can think for yourself and use the concepts to analyze trends in television programming and the way you and the people you talked to use it.
This paper should be approximately four pages long, double spaced. Be sure to include works cited and a cover page. If you need it to be a little longer to make your points, that is fine. It should not be significantly shorter. Skipping lines between paragraphs, having giant margins, or putting your title on every page are obvious and tacky ways making the paper look longer without really saying anything. This should be avoided. All papers to have a cover page, be typed in 10 or 12-point font, and have one-inch margins. All papers should be carefully spell-checked and proofread.
This assignment should be your own work. Ideas or language from sources (including the textbook) should be cited properly. This means that direct quotes should be indicated through the use of quotation marks or block quotes. All sources should be acknowledged within the text of the paper as well as within a works-cited page at the end of the paper. Papers that contain ideas or prose that are borrowed from other material without proper acknowledgment do not meet the standards for acceptable submission and will receive a zero. Violation of these standards can also constitute an act of academic dishonesty. In these cases, a written report of the incident will be forwarded to the Office of Academic Affairs, which can pursue further action.
