tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post4715985987806352754..comments2023-09-01T01:29:15.314-06:00Comments on zigzigger: Intromznhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336592183292185884noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post-78711448531642256952008-01-07T10:02:00.000-06:002008-01-07T10:02:00.000-06:00Thanks for all these comments, and thanks Chris fo...Thanks for all these comments, and thanks Chris for de-lurking ;-) Elana has written about Laguna & The Hills too, in a column in <A HREF="http://flowtv.org/?p=19" REL="nofollow">Flow</A>. <BR/><BR/>@derek I am doing e-reserves only for the reason Chris brings up, to save paper, and because it's easier for me (I fill out requests online, I can do a few at a time instead of all at once, and the library does all the work of scanning).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post-63090073674677010612008-01-06T22:35:00.000-06:002008-01-06T22:35:00.000-06:00I’ve had the same problems with textbooks. Jason h...I’ve had the same problems with textbooks. Jason has it right – if you can’t find what you want, maybe it’s time to write your own. In a related matter, the course packet copyright fees issue just hit our campus like a tidal wave last semester. I’m going exclusively with library e-reserves from now on, because otherwise the cost to students is just ridiculous. Also, I desperately echo your call for more good writing on reality TV, Michael. I’m going to work The Hills into my upcoming TV Criticism class, and your own “The Hills Is Real Too” post is just about the best thing I can find on it to use. (And I totally don’t mean for that to sound like a backhanded compliment, like yours is only the best in comparison to a bunch of stuff that sucks. It stands on its own as great. I just wish there was more out there like it and on more shows. So keep writing! :-)<BR/><BR/>ChrisChristine Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05777560519244309213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post-15270482600625511152008-01-06T11:41:00.000-06:002008-01-06T11:41:00.000-06:00I concur about the troubles with textbooks, even a...I concur about the troubles with textbooks, even as I am in the midst of writing one myself! I purposely avoided going with one of the more commercial presses (Bedford, McGraw-Hill, etc.), who seem to aim toward producing books that look expensive rather than have pedagogical integrity. And I disagree with your assumption that a textbook-centered course conveys more information than article-centered. In my survey of textbooks before writing my own, I found that most mass media textbooks didn't really present much information, but rather pointed to areas in which information might be presented - Campbell is actually more informative than most I found, but most textbooks are more like empty coloring books waiting for actual material to be filled in.<BR/><BR/>That being said, I think the plus of a good textbook (and I hope people will find mine fits this bill) is that it does provide a useful conceptual map to structure a course, engage students, and inspire them to find out more. My book, which focuses more narrowly on American television, follows a topical structure similar to your course: television as commerce, democracy, aesthetic form, site of representation, everyday practice, and technology. I'd say the key area that seems missing from your course is representation - where will issues of ideology and identity factor into the course?<BR/><BR/>Good luck!Jason Mittellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05375428916312710022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post-23520915231075215472008-01-05T19:40:00.000-06:002008-01-05T19:40:00.000-06:00Mike, I had many similar misgivings when teaching ...Mike, I had many similar misgivings when teaching a 250 person Intro to Mass Communications at Berkeley.<BR/><BR/>And I'm a big fan of the thematic approach. I did it for that class, I do it for my tv class, and I just wrote a textbook-y thing (200 page-r, not a 1500-plus-CDs&websites-a-plenty-er) on tv entertainment divided thematically. My students have really responded to it positively.<BR/><BR/>Small recommendation on reading: Jeff Jones' stuff on The Daily Show works really well for your 4th unit. It's always been a hit with my students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post-30755654422181717662008-01-04T16:00:00.000-06:002008-01-04T16:00:00.000-06:00A lot to reflect on and digest - thanks for sharin...A lot to reflect on and digest - thanks for sharing. I had a similar problem in the Media and Culture class I taught last semester, and I ended up foregoing a textbook as well. Given the options out there, it was the only choice I felt comfortable with, but was one with some headaches. If I teach that course again, your syllabus will certainly help me retool mine.<BR/><BR/>Most of all, I really like your course subtopics. For the Civic Culture I would recommend C. Wright Mills' chapter on the Mass Society from Power Elite: it's a nice, accessible introduction to the concept of the public sphere. As for film as art, is Andrew Sarris too evil to teach?Chris Caglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11896423565458620046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37916241.post-59448459154305221312008-01-02T20:44:00.000-06:002008-01-02T20:44:00.000-06:00Wow. Very interesting take on doing the intro cour...Wow. Very interesting take on doing the intro course. I've done the same one for seven semesters straight, though I'm off the hook now for at least the next four. And I've used the Campbell et al book!<BR/><BR/>I absolutely agree with most of your critique of that book, and especially those which are endemic of textbooks (and textbook culture) in general. That said, I think it's still miles better than any other book in its category, for at least taking on the idea of "culture." Most "mass media" (sic) textbooks are still dead-boring tech and policy heavy trudges, peppered with outdated "isn't this cool?" lingo to supposedly entice future professionals. Campbell, warts (and they're many) and all, has little of that, and a lot (too much, very dubiously organized) of interesting stuff.<BR/><BR/>You hit the nail on the head about the racket that is textbook publishing, though. I've never used any of the test banks or PP slides for any book I've assigned, as they've always been pretty crappy IMHO. So there goes that "advantage." In addition, and Campbell's very guilty of this, these books are confused in their overall conception of the course. There's simply too much to go over to really get into the assignments they suggest, unless you have a small enough class (under 30, if not 25), and a high enough course number.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I've some grave issues with even books by scholars I really love (e.g., Hilmes' and Bordwell's textbooks), and still do some jiggery-pokery with the contents to shape it to my needs.<BR/><BR/>Great looking syllabus. I especially like the variety of styles. I love the use of themes rather than chronology. It worked well in my Crime TV course this pas semester (though not perfectly). One of these days, I'm going to organize my TV history course similarly, using period readings wherever possible. Are the readings available for them online (that's what I generally do these days), or are you doing hard-copy coursepacks?<BR/><BR/>Lastly, I get what you're saying about the skyscraper, but I've found it still offers a handle for them to think about cultural politics in ways most of them probably hadn't before. That said, don't get me started on their takes of modernity and postmodernity...gah.dkomparehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16401136573288833318noreply@blogger.com