MFC5142 - Television Audiences: Theory & Research

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to television audience study;
2 demonstrate the ability to undertake primary and secondary research to an assignment brief and to apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to the production of written assignments;
3 analyse selected television texts and conceptualise that analysis within a variety of relevant contexts and conceptual frameworks (social, cultural, historical, industrial, aesthetic)

Content:

The module provides a critical and historical exploration of television audiences from the 1950s to the present day, examining engagement, interpretation and interactivity from a variety of theoretical and industrial perspectives. It will address issues of agency, ideology, representation, censorship and screen theories relating to both “theorised” and real television “audiences” including, mass audiences, individual spectators, fan audiences and female audiences. The module will include sessions on how the UK television industry (both commercial and public service) view, monitor and cater to key audience demographics and how these are monitored in relation to audience viewing figures. Research methodologies including audience-based quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The scheme below assumes recruitment of 30.

Lectures
Contact hours 18:
Number of Groups: 1

Seminars
Contact hours 18
Number of Groups: 2 x 15

Tutorials
Contact hours: 4

Assessment: