Television Appreciation

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Identify and explain major historical developments in television, including key technological, industrial, and cultural shifts from the medium’s origins to the present.

• Analyze television programs using foundational critical and aesthetic concepts, demonstrating an understanding of narrative form, genre, style, and production practices.

• Evaluate television’s role in shaping and reflecting social, political, and cultural issues, using evidence-based arguments grounded in historical context.

• Compare television systems, programming trends, and audience practices across different periods and regions, applying historical perspectives to contemporary television.

• Critically analyze claims, arguments, and information pertaining to relevant cultural artifacts.

• Construct coherent, evidence-based arguments and/or analyses pertaining to relevant cultural artifacts.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
The Watercooler	30%
From Networks to Netflix	30%
The Elevator Pitch	20%
Midterm and Final Exams	20%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93% and above	A
92% - 90%	A-
89% - 87%	B+
86% - 83%	B
82% - 80%	B-
79% - 77%	C+
76% - 73%	C
72% - 70%	C-
69% - 67%	D+
66% - 63%	D
62% - 60%	D-
59% - 0%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are allowed three absences without a grade penalty. In an asynchronous course, “absence” equals three unsubmitted Watercooler assignments. For every absence beyond those allowed, students will be penalized one-half letter grade. Students who miss six assignments will fail the course. You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays, which do not count toward your total allowed absences, as defined by UNCG policy. If you plan to miss class because of religious holidays, you must notify me at least two weeks in advance of your absence.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

You will need access to Tubi for the duration of the semester. Tubi is completely free; sign up at www.tubitv.com