Television and Radio in Britain
Summer 2016
Page 2
TELEVISION AND RADIO IN BRITIAN
RTVF 4410.090 History of British Broadcasting
RTVF 4450.091 Studies in Contemporary British Broadcasting
Summer, 2016
Phyllis Slocum, Department of Media Arts
Contact Information
Phyllis Slocum: Contact Information –
In London Mobile-cell: 07821733748 (Call from US to UK cell: 011-47821733748)
In the US: 940-565-2565 (o) Emergency: 214-356-1455 (c)
London Contact Information: TBA, Head of Academic Services
Address: TBA, Head of Academic Services, AIFS (UK) Ltd,
Malet Street, LONDON WC1E 7JN England
Also: Debbie Smith – AIFS (RTVF contact)
London Telephone: 020 7636 0761 Emergency: 020 7603 1747 Fax: 020 7637 1325
Email:
COURSE NOTE
This is one of two courses taught concurrently during Summer 1, 2016 in London. As both pertain specifically to broadcasting in Britain, they will contain overlapping material. Field trips have been scheduled to reflect both courses because of the physical necessity to combine academic efforts.
RTVF 4410.090 History of British Broadcasting – Course Objectives
Understanding an historical perspective of British media is critical to understanding the underpinnings of US media. What the United States considers “freedom of speech/press/media overall” would be difficult to appreciate without being acquainted with the foundation of those concepts.
Through readings, lectures, screenings, field trips, and visits to radio, television, and film production/broadcast facilities, students will study the development of one of the most progressive broadcasting industries in the world. Emphasis will include those areas unique to the British system and reflect the role it has played in developing US media and media freedoms.
The students will apply academic principles to their study and understanding of historical British media events, locations, and ideas through their exposure to speakers, field trips with professional academic-oriented guides and UNT professor-delivered lectures. Response papers to speakers, in-class discussion, and an individual semester-long project will include an emphasis on understanding the historical importance of British media to both the development of the US model and its impact on today’s media events.
RTVF 4450.091/5400.091 Studies in Contemporary British Broadcasting – Course Objectives
The contemporary British media landscape is a rapidly changing environment – from a government- funded television/radio operation (as discussed in media history lectures) to a more consumer, advertiser based format. Competition to the premier organization, the BBC, is coming from commercially supported networks (primarily television). The explosion of film and cutting edge production is also a key element in the contemporary British media scene. Along with that comes communication/media via multiple platforms – telephone, tube, street media etc.
Through readings, lectures, screenings, field trips, and visits to radio, television, and film production/broadcast facilities, students will study current aspects of one of the most progressive and inventive broadcasting industries in the world. Students will have a chance to see firsthand the huge global platform that is social media and how two international media giants – BBC and CBS (US) operate in the same environment. Significant attention will be focused on entertainment and the film/TV program side as well.
Students will apply academic principles to their study of contemporary British media events, locations, and ideas through exposure to speakers, field trips with professional academic-oriented guides, and UNT professor-delivered lectures. Response papers to speakers, in-class discussion, and an individual semester-long project will include an emphasis on understanding the contemporary aspects modern British media.
The semester-long project will apply a contemporary approach to the study and presentation of student work coupled with more traditional academic endeavors including respondent papers reflecting the impact of various guest speakers and student oral presentations during academic engagement hours.
TEXT BOOKS AND READINGS
Text: Crisell, A. (2002). An Introductory History of British Broadcasting (2nd Ed.).
(London/New York: Routledge)
Graduate Students – additional text will be assigned
Readings: Broadcast: The Weekly Newspaper of the Television and Radio Industry.
Published weekly in the U.K.
Newspapers, magazines, electronic media-radio and television (as assigned)
Material discussed in class.
This course will be conducted in a presentation and discussion fashion, and therefore will include expansion on material contained in the text and additional materials (handouts, anecdotes, topics brought up by class members, discussions about outside readings, etc.). As an upper level course, students will be expected to keep up with assignments, prepare their presentations accordingly, and be able to contribute to these discussions.
Web/internet based assignments will be required and must be completed on time during the course of the semester. Complete and easy to follow instructions will be provided to students.
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: (due dates listed in final syllabus distributed prior to departure)
· 4 Speaker papers Assigned various Due See Syllabus
· Class participation-discussion On-going On-going
· Oral reports-paper/project status TBA Final week of term
· Semester long project Assigned July 6, 2016
· Journal Assigned July 6, 2016
GRADING
This will be based on four major areas with student participation as a deciding fifth factor.
1) Speaker Papers
· Students will write a total of four summary papers responding to guest speakers focusing on the key points gleaned from the presentation. 5 speakers will lecture students on various media topics. Students will choose 4 for response papers. In-class discussion will be conducted prior to the assignment due date.
2) Class Participation and Attendance
· This will be factored into the final grade.
3) Oral Report and One-on-One with UNT Professor on Web-Based Project
· Each student will meet individually with the instructor twice during the semester to determine the direction of their projects and their status.
· Each student will present insights and observations from their study as well as a few segments from their media project to the entire class during the last week of the program.
4) Research Project: Social Media-Internet/Web Based
· Students will be required to have a digital camera of some type. Quality is not a consideration but it must have the capability of transferring videos and/or photographs to a local computer.
· Students will complete a series of assignments based on British media elements. These assignments will include both contemporary and historical aspects of British media. Students will be required to complete a set number of excursions around the London area.
· Each excursion will be documented visually/aurally and accompanied by a written account which will include the required references. Academic requirements include research, video/stills/audio (as appropriate) and supporting references which may be primary (acquired first-hand material, interviews, surveys, etc.) or secondary (books, articles, web sources, research reports).
· Each excursion will reflect a series of questions established by the faculty leader which students must answer and then provide a sense of context and analysis as to where this specific excursion fits into the British media timeline. Each assignment will be completed during the semester with the possible exception of the final two projects which may be due upon return to UNT. Further details will be provided in the completed syllabus and during class time in London.
· Students will provide an oral overview of their work to fellow students in classroom sessions the last week of the semester - times and dates to be determined.
· Confidentiality and technical safety will be built into this project.
· SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT OUTLINING DETAILS OF THIS PROJECT
5) Student Journals
· Each student will keep a detailed journal of activities in the classroom (lectures, presentations, discussions, readings) and of other course related activities occurring outside of class (site visits, tours of facilities, etc.)
· Either a spiral notebook/ringed binder, etc. (NO LOOSE PAPERS ACCEPTED!) or a secure website/use of Dropbox will be accepted.
· Due date TBA.
Grades: Class evaluation/grades will be based on 5 areas:
· Media research projects 40% Speaker papers 30%
· Student journals 10% Participation/Attendance 10%
· Oral report-class presentation 10%
ATTENDANCE
You are expected to be in class and assemble for site visits on time. You are expected to attend all classes as well as site visits/productions. DO NOT make plans causing you to leave class, a site visit, or a production early. Show up ON TIME for all classes, site visits and productions.
Word to the wise: PLAN ACCORDINGLY!! Attendance will be considered in your final grade.
UNT SYLLABUS – EVENTS
Summer 2016
DATE
/ TOPICFIELD TRIPS/TAPINGS/SHOWS/SPEAKERS WILL BE CONFIRMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Sunday
June 5 / Depart Dallas Sunday June 5th:
Departs DFW: AA flight # 50 3:45 pm
Arrives LHR: 6:55 am Monday June 6th
Monday
June 6 / Arrive London: Go through Immigration/Customs as a group (stay together)· AIFS staff member will meet students at the airport (in the arrivals area). Students will go by private coach (bus) as a group to the AIFS Centre at the University of London with baggage. Short information session at AIFS offices with UNT faculty and AIFS contacts.
· TUBE passes will be distributed.
· AIFS will arrange travel by Taxi to home stays.
· Students settle in and are encouraged to use the London TUBE pass to return to University of London location for practice. (No Class)
Tuesday
June 7 / Class Room 9:45-12:30 pm: UNT Instructor overview; class discussion. University of London – Classroom 2E (second floor of Student Centre (union)
Reviews syllabus, final project, and response papers
AND
AIFS Conduct Orientation: UNT Instructor and AIFS staff – including personal safety tips and legal issues for students – Location: AIFS Room 2E UL London Union, Malet Street
Class Room: 1:30 – 5:30 Ground field trip begins – led by Blue Badge guide and UNT instructor with on-site academic instruction of media locations. Includes physical orientation of city. On-foot to St. Paul’s with on-site guided tour of Cathedral and history. Class meets in private coach for extended tour and in-coach discussion/lecture. Return to University of London classroom.
Coach to St. Paul’s – after tour, guide leads group across Millennium Bridge – discussion – then back to coach and return to AIFS
Welcome Dinner 6:00 pm: Giraffe Restaurant at Brunswick Centre.
Wednesday
June 8 / Class Room: 9 am Meet at AIFS – UNT instructor introduction to internationally acclaimed British Film Institute (BFI). Class walks together to BFI using Westminster Tube Station (40 minute trip – on South Bank)10:00 -11:00 am: BFI Librarian Sarah Currant conducts full lecture with detail for students about accessing all information available to students. Emphasis on
TV broadcast, film, and other media information. Overview of what this offers to students in academic and cultural research. Explore BFI – South Bank
Class Room Session: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm – UNT instructor sets up the evening event –First “Sensational-Tabloid” media murder case. Reviews final project assignments amd next morning’s guest speakers Room 3-A
6:00 -9:00 pm - Jack the Ripper Media Walk: Class meets Blue Badge guide at Tower Hill tube station. On-site night walk with accompanying lecture
Thursday
June 9 / Class Room Session: 12:45 – 5:00 pm UNT Instructor reviews previous day’s events and leads discussion of Dr. Andrew Crisell’s book – required classroom reading:
Text: Crisell, A. (2002). An Introductory History of British Broadcasting (2nd Ed.) (London/New York: Routledge)
Class Session: Guest Lectures: Dr. Andrew Crisell Professor of Broadcasting Studies-University of Sunderland and author class text and Ellie Crisell – News Anchor for BBC Video and Audio presentation will be part of this lecture
· 1st Response Paper assigned – Can write on one or both
Friday
June 10 / Class Room Session: 7:45 am -5:30 pm Magna Carta Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge Day Trip
Meet at AIFS at 7:45 am -- Lectures by both UNT instructor and Blue Badge guide will take place on private coach – Only UNT students on board.
Saturday
June 11 / Free Day – Complete homework assignments; begin outlining final projects as one on one meetings with faculty begin next week.
Sunday
June 12 / Free Day
Monday
June 13 / Class Room Session: 2:00 – 5:00 pm Guest Speaker Deborah Wilson Professor and Vice President European Journalism Training
· 2d Response Paper assigned
Tuesday
June 14 / Class Room Session: 9:30-12:00 1st Response Paper due (the Crisells)
Students meet with UNT faculty 1-on-1 re: Semester project See signup sheet
Class Session Room: 2:00-5:00 pm - Guest Speaker Kevin Marsh Editor-Author /International Consultant – owner-Offspin Media
· 3d Response Paper
Wednesday
June 15 / Day trip to Hampton Court: Early Start- 9 am Meet at Goodge Street Tube Station
· Travel by Thames riverboat outbound with train return. Private guide Mary Carroll will accompany group. Entrance to the palace is included.
Thursday
June 16 / Work Day – focus on final project elementsFriday
June 17
/ Class Room Session: 9:00 – 11:45 pm UNT Faculty Lectures:· Set up for World War II – Cabinet War Rooms and the Turning Point for US Media “Moving from Print orientation to Broadcasting orientation”
· Community Policing – CCTV Wood Street Police (next week site visit)
Leave AIFS 12-noon walk to Tube
1:15 – 5 pm - Afternoon Session: On-Site visit/lecture War Rooms
· 2d Response Paper Due (Wilson)
Saturday
June 18 / Free Day
Sunday
June 19 / Free Day
Monday
June 20 / Class Room Session: 1:30-5:00 pm - Guest Speaker: Dr. John Paul Green – Sunderland UniversityExpertise: British drama/Dr. Who and TV production
· 3d Response Paper due (Marsh)
·
· 4th Response Paper (Green)
Tuesday
June 21 / Train to Cardiff: BBC Broadcast House and Dr. Who Museum – overnight!
· Bring Photo id – Meet at 9:30 Paddington Station
· Train departs at 10:15 am – arrives 12:21 (bring snacks/sandwich)
· Bus to BBC entry at 2:30
· Free evening in Cardiff
Tour BBC studios: On-site lectures with full tour/professional discussions of BBC drama productions
Overnight at hostels in Cardiff (accompanied by AIFS Staff)
Wednesday
June 22 / Breakfast – provided at hostels
Morning to explore Cardiff
12:30 meet for bus to – Dr. Who studio/museum. Tour and free time in Dr. Who museum – iconic British television drama. (See notes Dr. Green)
5 pm: Train departs back to London – arrive London 7:32 pm
Thursday
June 23 / No Morning Class Session: Work on Social Media projects2 pm – 5 pm: Wood Station Police : Media and Community Policing - (Tube details to come)
Friday
June 24 / Work DaySaturday June 25 / Free Day
Sunday
June 26 / Free DayMonday
June 27 / Class Room Session – 11 am - 1:30 pm On-site Tour The Globe (theatre) backstage guided tour· Meet at Globe Theatre (South Bank)
Afternoon- South Bank Art museums, BFI, Tate Modern, other
6:30 – 10:30 pm: The Globe – Taming of the Shrew (tickets included)
· 4th Response Paper due - Marsh
Tuesday
June 28 / 12:15pm: Meet at Dilke House to travel to Leavesden Studios via Euston Tube
1:30 pm – Shuttle to Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studios
· Film Studios and Production Facility – Tour
Wednesday
June 29 / NBC London Bureau - Class Room Session: 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
· Meet at Chancery Lane Tube by the dragon
· ITN Bld; 200 Grays Inn Rd; WCIX 8X7: TODAY show preparations, tour, lecture covering international information/media for the United States from Europe
TV Taping: 5:30-10:00 – Waterloo – South Bank (next to the Globe)
· Queue at 5:30 – security checks at 6:30 doors open at 7 pm
· Return after taping via Waterloo Tube
Thursday June 30