Radio/Television/Film Genre (322-0-21)

Topic

Television Nature Documentaries

Instructors

Mimi White

Meeting Info

Annie May Swift Hall 109: Tues, Thurs 1:00PM - 2:50PM

Overview of class

This class will look at the ways in which the aesthetic and rhetorical practices of contemporary nature documentary programs on television are designed to draw viewers into an array of specific eco-systems, and create a feeling of care for the environment. For group viewing the class will focus on the series Green Planet. In addition, students will each choose a television nature program which will be the focus of a paper they write over the course of the quarter. Towards the end of the term, class screening time will be divided among the students, who will each get a chance to show material from whatever program they are working on, and to give a brief presentation on the aesthetic strategies used by the show, and how they draw viewers into specific worlds of nature.

Class Materials (Required)

Class will include reading assignments (all available through Canvas), and in-class discussion of the screening and reading materials. In addition, students will develop a research paper that analyzes one television series devoted to nature—which can focus on plants/eco-systems and/or animals. Students will therefore need access to either a streaming service or a DVD set for the final paper.

Class Attributes

Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area