Assignment: Cause and Effect Essay

What were the circumstances under which the Children's Television Network (CTW) was created. How did the landscape of children's television in the late 60s influence the design of Sesame Street? Specifically, who was the focus of this new program and how did they differ from that of earlier children's shows? Likewise, what was the immediate impact of Sesame Street's debut? How did it alter subsequent programs and how does it continue to influence television today, here and around the world? Cite extensively (and exclusively) from Michael Davis' Street Gang to support your thesis.

Note: For your benefit, here is Sesame Street's premier episode from 1969 (via YouTube—in multiple parts)

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

The best papers will:

• Stay within the parameters of the prompt, examining the circumstances that precipitated the CTW's creation of Sesame Street, as well as its subsequent impact
• Have a concise thesis that both addresses the subject matter and contains a viable argument
• Clearly support their thesis utilizing solid evidence presented in a logical structure
• Properly cite evidence from Street Gang using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of the main points
• Be formatted according to MLA Style 

Due: Th 4.05 (Sec. 05) / Fr 4.06 (Sec. 49) Draft 1—Bring 3 copies

TV News 03.29.12

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• Will we finally see a black Bachelor? Huffington Post
• An online petition to stop the Kardashians from selling fur takes off Hollywood Reporter
• The Voice turns to Facebook Washington Post
• Who needs a television?: Verizon wants to bring cable TV to your phone Mobiledia
  
• NBC News accused of editing Trayvon Martin 911 call Hollywood Reporter

 

Week 10: All in the Family (CBS, 1971 - 1979)

Tu 3.27

No class: Spring break

Th 3.29

No class: Spring break

Fr 3.30

No class: Spring break

Upcoming: 

Week 11: Father Knows Best

Tu 4.3
Read: STREET—Ch. 16 – 18

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Th 4.5
Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop

Due: CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

Fr 4.6

Read: STREET—Ch. 16 – 18

Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop; Presentations

Due: CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

Week 09: The Golden Girls (NBC, 1985 - 1992)

Tu 3.20

Read: STREET—Ch. 10 – 12

Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Cause and Effect Essay—A Primer”

Th 3.22

Read: STREET—Ch. 13 – 15

Class: Watch— Excerpt from “Episode 4168” from Sesame Street (2008); Reading discussion

Due: REFLECTION 5

Fr 3.23

Read: STREET—Ch. 10 – 15

Class: Watch—Excerpt from “Episode 4168” from Sesame Street (2008); Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Cause and Effect Essay—A Primer”

Due: REFLECTION 5

UPCOMING:

Week 10: All in the Family

Tu 3.27
No class: Spring break

Th 3.29

No class: Spring break

Fr 3.30

No class: Spring break

Week 11: Father Knows Best

Tu 4.3
Read: STREET—Ch. 16 – 18

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Th 4.5
Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop

Due: CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

Fr 4.6

Read: STREET—Ch. 16 – 18

Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop; Presentations

Due: CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY (DRAFT 1—BRING 3 COPIES)

 

TV News 03.17.12

Southern-themed reality TV is suddenly all the rage

• The new force in reality television: Rednecks USA Today
• Has American Idol found its (black) Jeremy Lin? Washington Post
• Smelling MySpace's blood, MTV sets sights on dominating online music New York Times
  
• Wait and see: Simon Cowell mum on Britney Spears as judge on X Factor Daily Mail
• Factual: Stephen Hawking to appear on Big Bang Theory New York Daily News
• BBC planning iTunes-style downloading service Reuters

 

Reflection 05: What's on Telly?—Exploring British Television

Absolutely Fabulous has been a hit on UK TV for 20 years

In this country, we don't often get the opportunity to watch a wide range of British television. The American preference for television produced in this country means that British-made programs have a more difficult time reaching mainstream audiences here. In fact, Americans often prefer remakes of British shows to actual British shows. While some British shows have achieved US success (e.g. Downton Abbey), most of UK television is unknown to American viewers. For this reflection, watch, then write about, two of the following UK programs. In your analysis, examine the differences and similarities between the two countries, such as tone, language, subject matter, and comedy.

• Episode 2 of Cycle 6 from Britain's Next Top Model (Sky Living, 2005 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• "Gym" from Peep Show (Channel 4, 2003 - Present) via Hulu
• "Teacher" from Miranda (BBC Two, 2009 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• "Beginnings" from Spaced (Channel Four, 1999 - 2001) via YouTube
• "Fast Food" from Nigella Bites (Channel Four, 1999 - 2001) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• "Dear Sexy Knickers" from Are You Being Served? (BBC One, 1972 - 1985) via YouTube
• "Daniel Radcliffe" from Extras (BBC Two, 2006 - 2007) via YouTube
• "Chris" from Skins (E4, 2007 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• "Flotsam and Jetsam" from Being Human (BBC Three, 2009 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• Episode 10 of Series 8 from The X Factor (ITV, 2004 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts 
• Episode 6 of Series 8 from The Graham Norton Show (BBC Two, 2007 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• Episode One of Series One from The F Word (Channel Four, 2005 - Present) via YouTube
• "Episode One" from Shameless (E4, 2004 - Present)
• "Dressed" from Coupling (BBC Two, 2000 - 2004) via Hulu
• Episode 1 of Series 1 from Geordie Shore (MTV UK, 2011 - Present) via YouTube—in multiple parts
• "Episode One"from Misfits (E4, 2009 - Present) via Hulu
• "The Camping Trip" from The Inbetweeners (E4, 2008 - 2010) via YouTube
• "Appraisals" from The Office (BBC One, 2001 - 2003) via Hulu
• "Fish Farm" from Absolutely Fabulous (BBC One, 1992 - Present) via Logo
• Episode 2 of Series 2 from The Catherine Tate Show (BBC Two, 2004 - 2009) via YouTube

Note: UK broadcasting standards are different than those in the US, so you may find more profanity, violence, even nudity, in British shows.

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Due: Th 3.22 (Sec. 05) / Fr 3.23 (Sec. 49)

Week 08: Roseanne (ABC, 1988 - 1997)

Tu 3.13

Read: STREET—Ch. 1 – 5

Class: Watch—Excerpt from “Episode 2483” from Sesame Street (1988); Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4

Th 3.15

Read: STREET—Ch. 6 – 9

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

Fr 3.16

Read: STREET—Ch. 1 – 9

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Watch—Excerpt from “Episode 2483” from Sesame Street (1988); Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4

UPCOMING:

Week 09: The Golden Girls

Tu 3.20

Read: STREET—Ch. 10 – 12

Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Cause and Effect Essay—A Primer”

Th 3.22

Read: STREET—Ch. 13 – 15

Class: Watch— Excerpt from “Episode 4168” from Sesame Street (2008); Reading discussion

Due: REFLECTION 5

Fr 3.23

Read: STREET—Ch. 10 – 15

Class: Watch—Excerpt from “Episode 4168” from Sesame Street (2008); Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Cause and Effect Essay—A Primer”

Due: REFLECTION 5

TV News 03.07.12

Paula Deen is at the center of new allegations

• Bad taste: Food Network's Paula Deen sued for sexual harassment Hollywood Reporter
• Liam Hemsworth: Punk'd Huffington Post
• Apple introduces the iPad 3 Digitaltrends
• Twists and turns: The Desperate Housewives trial Washington Post
• Canceled by FOX, Terra Nova may be picked by Netflix Hollywood Reporter
• Sandra Fluke visits the ladies of The View Washington Post

Reflection 04: Did You See That?—When History Unfolds on Television

In 1981, 750 million worldwide watched the Royal Wedding

There are moments in which television transforms itself from a form of entertainment into a window to world events. During these times, history plays itself out in real time and, thanks to television, we are afforded a front row seat. Whether what we see inspires us, or terrifies us, historical events on television often captivate us. For this reflection, watch excerpts from two of the following historical events. As you watch, consider the unique perspectives that television provides. What do we gain by watching history unfold on TV? And what historical event have you see played out on television?

Write about two of the following events:

• The Launch of Sputnik 1 (1957)
• The Assassination of President Kennedy (1963)
• The Assassination of Dr. King (1968)
• The Apollo 11 Moon Landing (1968)
• The Apollo 13 Splashdown (1970)
• The Resignation of President Nixon (1974)
• The "Miracle on Ice" (1980)
• The Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana (1981)
• The Live-Aid Concerts in Philadelphia and London (1985)
• The Space Shuttle Challenger Explosion (1986)
• The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
• The OJ Simpson Murder Trial (1994 - 1995)
• The Funeral of Princess Diana (1997)
• The Attacks of September 11th (2001)
• The Inauguration of President Obama (2009)
• The Memorial of Michael Jackson (2009)
• The Japanese Earthquake and Tsunamis (2011)
• The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length
• A Works Cited page

Due: Tu 3.13 (Sec. 05) / Fr 3.16 (Sec. 49)

Week 07: Survivor (CBS, 2000 - Present)

Tu 3.6
Read: HOME—pg. 61 – 120
Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

Th 3.8
Read: HOME—pg. 121 – 168
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Preview—Literary Analysis / Short Answer Responses

Fr 3.9
Read: HOME—pg. 61 – 168
Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY; Reading discussion; Presentations; Preview—Literary Analysis / Short Answer Responses

Upcoming:

Week 08: Roseanne

Tu 3.13
Read: STREET—Ch. 1 – 5

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES
Due: REFLECTION 4

Th 3.15
Read: STREET—Ch. 6 – 9

Class: Watch—Excerpt from “Episode 2483” from Sesame Street (1988); Reading discussion; Presentations

Fr 3.16

Read: STREET—Ch. 1 – 9

Class: LIT. ANALYSIS / SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Watch—Excerpt from “Episode 2483” from Sesame Street (1988); Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4 

 

TV News 03.03.12

Gonna be just fine: Eliminated X Factor singer, Rachel Crowe, lands major TV and record deal Hollywood Reporter

Kristin Chenoweth defends the representation of Christians in her new show Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Has "TV Everywhere" gone anywhere? Wall Street Journal

Purists up in arms: Lucy Liu cast as Dr. Watson in CBS' new Sherlock Holmes series amid controversy Washington Post

Conan O'Brien vs Chinese copycatters MSN

San Jose teen amongst American Idol's final 13 KTVU