A Portfolio (total 2000 words) weighted at 100%, containing an analysis of a TV history text, copies of group 'pitch' for a TV history and research on sources for group project.

This portfolio of will enable students to demonstrate their ability to both analyse television history texts [Learning Outcomes 1,2 and 3] and to undertake research for the production of television histories [Learning Outcomes 4 and 5]

This module will introduce students to research skills for both analysing and preparing to produce TV history.

The importance of genre, media language and narrative will be emphasised through initial examining the textual construction of examples of television history programmes. Discussion will also focus on the constraint and imperatives of production and finance and the importance of target audiences.

Groups of students will then undertake to prepare, plan, pitch and then research for a TV history program. This will involve developing critical research skills in relation to a range of primary and secondary sources including for example; oral history, photographs, autobiography or buildings.

Finally the module will critically discuss the usefulness of past TV history documentaries as evidence for contemporary historians.

The main themes and frameworks for analysis will be introduced via lectures, whilst seminars and workshops will be used to develop students' understanding and skills in critical reading a range of genres of TV histories.

Inter-active lectures and workshops will then be used to explore the resources used by makers of television history this will be followed up by group work in seminars. These learning groups will also be expected to operate outside the taught sessions and will be supported by tutorials.

The Monocled Mutineer (1986)
The People's Century (1995)
The Edwardian Country House (2002)
Bleak House (2005)
Gilbert White Nature Man (2006)

J.Bignell and S.Lacey (2005) Popular Television Drama, Manchester University Press
D. Boswell and J. Evans (eds) (1999) Representing the Nation a reader : Histories, Heritage and Museums, Routledge
E.Buscombe (ed) (2000) British Television a reader, Oxford University Press
G. Creeber (2001) The Television Genre Book, BFI
G. Creeber( 2004) Serial Television, BFI
D. Gomery and L.Hockley (eds) (2006) Television Industries, BFI
J.Izod, R.Kilborn and M,Hibberd (1997) An introduction to documentary TV, Manchester University Press
A. Hill, (2005) Reality TV: audiences and popular factual television, Routledge

University Computers for access to internet resources, such as imdb, recommended, books, articles and DVD's from the library.
Students will also be encouraged to make use of visit local museums or archives and undertake oral history as appropriate.