Course Catalogue

Television Drama FTV4070

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course surveys the aesthetic, institutional and industrial history of television drama with reference to American and British television, drawing comparisons across global contexts.

Timetable

10 x 1hr lecture,

10 x 1hr seminar,

10 x 2hr screening over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Film and Television Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ 1 x essay (2,000 words) or 5-minute audiovisual essay - 40%

■ 1 x essay (3,000 words) or 8-minute audiovisual essay - 60%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essays, but flexible deadlines and extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ survey the aesthetic, institutional and industrial history of television drama with reference to American and British television, drawing comparisons across global contexts

■ encourage the development of specific modes of analysis appropriate to television drama.

■ consider the implications of media convergence beginning in the 1980s and 1990s and the emergence of 'prestige' drama discourse

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ express an understanding of key debates that inform the study of television drama.

■ critically analyse the institutional and cultural contexts in which recent television drama is produced.

■ Closely analyse and interpret television drama texts, utilizing relevant theoretical frameworks and critical methodologies.

■ construct arguments about television drama in written and/or audiovisual formats

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions