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Calendar   Spring 2003

                                      JANUARY
                                              9 American Religious Background

   16 History and Development of Television
            READ: Packard, Intro-76; 215-227

I. EARLY TELEVISION AND RELIGION

    23 Religion and Early TV; Public Service, Drama, and Worship
          READ:  Packard, 95-137
          DUE: assignment 1 (TV Guide)

II.  THE ELECTRONIC CHURCH

        30 History of Televangelism
            READ: Selling Catholicism, 1-86

FEBRUARY
         6 The Range of Televangelism: Christianities, Audience
            READ: Selling Catholicism, 87-160

        13 Scandal and Televangelism
            READ : Packard, 162-199
          DUE: Assignment 2

        20 Religious Clubs and Networks; Non-broadcast Uses
 

III. REPORTING RELIGIOUS NEWS

         27 Network News
             READ: Religion in the News, 1-96

MARCH
         5 Documentary News; the Secularity Debate
            READ:  Religion in the News, 97-204

        12  NO CLASS

IV. RELIGION AND COMMERCIAL TELEVISION

        19 Commercials, Comedy, and Mainstream Programming
             READ:The Gospel According to the Simpsons

---------------SPRING BREAK--------------------------------------------
 

V. TELEVISION: SHAPING RELIGIOUS MEANING

APRIL
        2  Bias and Politics
        DUE: Assignment 3 (news journal)

        9 The First Amendment: Establishment
          DUE: assignment 4 (TV, Religion, and Culture)

William Packard   Evangelism in America, From Tents to TV
C.O. Lynch           Selling Catholicism
Mark Pinsky           The Gospel According to the Simpsons
Stewart Hoover      Religion in the News
 

Grades
                            Final grades will be determined as follows:
                                         Written work         60%
                                                 Assn 1                    15
                                                    Assn 2                    15
                                                    Assn 3                    15
                                                    Assn 4                    15
                                          Quizzes                15%
                                   Participation         25%
 

Description
                              No other communications medium, including film
                                        and literature, has had the dramatic impact on
                                        American religious life of television, which has both
                                        shaped and been shaped by religion.

We examine that multifaceted relationship, considering
such critical topics as the rise and influence of
televangelism, the depiction of religion in secular
programming, and the influence of religious values
on the medium to develop a fuller understanding of
how contemporary religion functions in American life.
This course examines the interaction of religion and
television; television as a vehicle for  religious
programming, news, and values, and religious as a
dynamic influence on the medium.

 The course will make several demands on students:

    * extensive reading
    * regular attendance
    * substantial writing
    * group work
    * a high level of attention
    * active participation in class discussion