MSTU2008 SECOND ASSESSMENT (LONG ESSAY) TOPICS
LENGTH: 2000-2500 WORDS
WEIGHTING: 60%
DEADLINE: 4PM FRIDAY 24TH MAY 2024
SUBMIT VIA TURNITIN
Task Description:
This research essay is designed to get you to look in depth at the one of the topics raised in the second half of the course.
Criteria & Marking:
· Selection/relevance of chosen examples, as well as sensitivity and insight of the analysis of them
· Depth and sophistication of critical engagement with the selected topic, including relevant secondary sources and key concepts
· The strength, clarity, organisation and sophistication of your argument, both in the introductory statement, subsequent development, and in the conclusion
· The quality of written expression, referencing and presentation (including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and referencing)
Essay Guide
This assessment gives you the opportunity to explore the topics, issues and television shows that we addressed from week five to the end of the course. A challenging aspect of the task is choosing the right television show(s) to work on in the essay. Depending on the topic you can choose one or more, and it is a good idea to check with us if you are unsure as to whether you are taking on too much. Often it is useful to choose 1- 2 moments, scenes or themes from the show and evolve your argument through your detailed description and analysis of them. This is a long research essay so you are expected to demonstrate your understanding of secondary reading (see criteria above); as a guide make sure you have at least 3-4 readings referenced in the essay. You may wish to develop your own essay title in consultation with Jason or Matthew. Any questions or concerns feel free to ask for further guidance.
Please remember:
To type out the topic you are answering at the start of your essay
To write all titles (books, films, television shows) in italics. Do NOT use quotes for show titles but do use them for episodes of shows, e.g. ‘Felina,’ Breaking Bad (5:16)
That the essay length is between 2000-2500 words +/- 10%
Do not repeat material from your first assessment
Use Chicago for referencing (author/date/page)
Choose ONE topic from the following:
1. Explore the ways in which the discursive context of feminism is significant in ONE or more television shows.
2. To what extent is streaming television cinematic when compared to traditional forms of the medium? Use ONE or TWO examples in your answer.
3. Explore the impact of streaming on the nature of narrative organisation, character development and mise-en-scene in contemporary television fiction.
4. Examine the importance of gender as a theme in one or more television shows.
5. Explore the ways in which the representation of women can be understood as an aspect of television’s aesthetic achievement in ONE or TWO television shows.
6. Discuss the significance of the ways in which Wandavision OR The Last of Us represents the family. (You may choose other shows with our approval.)
7. In what ways is the genre of the Western relevant to our understanding of EITHER The Mandalorian or The Witcher?
8. What is the role of fans and fandom in relation to the aesthetic and thematic achievement of television in the age of streaming. Use ONE or TWO television shows to illustrate your answer.
9. To what extent is fandom an engine of, or stimulus for, creativity in television?
10. The fan is merely a construction of academic and industry discourses rather than an accurate representation of the diversity of forms of passionate engagement with television. Discuss.
11. Examine the history and significance of reality television with reference to at least TWO examples.
12. To what extent does reality television owe a debt to earlier forms of documentary?
13. Using ONE or TWO streaming television shows, explore the relationship between the depiction of crime and fourth-wave feminism.
14. To what extent does contemporary crime television incorporate and articulate aspects of ‘toxic masculinity’? Use detailed examples in your answer.
15. How important is the representation of sociality as an aspect of television comedy?
16. Choose ONE television show and investigate the ways it creates a comedic world. (You may use animation for your examples.)
17. To what extent does contemporary television fiction successfully articulate a critique of capitalism? Use detailed examples in your answer.
18. To what extent is Succession ‘Shakespearean’? (You may choose an alternative show.)
19. To what extent are contemporary television fiction shows (for example, Twin Peaks: The Return, Too Old to Die Young, True Detective or The Terminal List) fundamentally about the restoration of moral order? Confine your answer to two or three major examples.
20. Provide detailed reasons why ONE television show is (or fails to be) a work of art.
https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=134#Procedures
the role of television as an aspect of modernity is my first assignment.
