Module Identifier TF21320  
Module Title BROADCASTING HISTORY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Professor Thomas P O'Malley  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite TF10420  
Course delivery Lecture   1 x 10 hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   1 x 10 hours  
  Other   1x 10 hours, viewings.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment 1 x 2000-word essay40%
Semester Assessment 1 x 3000-word essay60%
Supplementary Assessment Assessed work will be resubmitted on a different topic 

Brief description

The subject matter of this module will be the emergence of broadcasting in the UK from the 1920s, the structures it developed and the forces which shaped its output. It will move on to a discussion of the development of television, both the BBC and ITV, situating these firmly within the context of historical understanding of the development of UK society. The content of the lectures will be discussed and developed in the seminars.

Aims

The aim of this module, in addition to being part of the overall degree scheme is to provide students of Television with a knowledge of the development of broadcasting in the UK, and in particular of television, up to 1977. It will enable students to understand the historical development of broadcasting, engage with historical and critical debates about that process, and learn to critically evaluate these debates.

Content

Lecture and seminar content:

The BBC in 1922-26
The BBC in the 1930s
The debate over TV up to 1946
The origins of commercial TV;
The BBC and ITV in the 1950s;
Class, culture and Television in the 1960s;
The Pilkington report;
Censorship and television in the 1960s and 1970s;
The breakdown of consensus over TV in the 1970s;
The nature and importance of the Annan Report ( 1977)
The content of the lectures will be discussed and developed in the seminars.

Module Skills

Problem solving Students will explore problems in the history of broadcasting which will be developed through seminars and coursework.  
Research skills In addition to developing a critical understanding of the methods used to write broadcasting history, students will be directed as to how to conduct bibliographical research on their subjects. This will be reflected in their essays  
Communication Skills of oral communication will be developed in the seminars.  
Improving own Learning and Performance The work in seminars, and the reading will cumulatively aid students in developing across the course. As will feedback on Essay 1.  
Team work Seminar work will be conducted in groups.  
Information Technology Students will have to use IT in their essay preparation and research.  
Application of Number An understanding of some aspects of the application of number, i.e. some experience reading and interpreting tabulated data.  
Personal Development and Career planning Not developed  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Sendall, B. (1983) Indpendent Television in Britain: Volume 2, Expansion and Change, 1958-68 2. Macmillan

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5