Tu, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, MJ 124
Students must also enroll in a lab section

Requires special fee

Fulfills COLL A&H Requirement

Instructor: David Coon
E-Mail: drcoon@indiana.edu

One of the most significant media trends over the past few years is
the popularity of television programs collectively known as “Reality
TV.”  While some shows have come and gone (All American Girl, Are
You Hot?, Joe Millionaire), others have developed into long-term
successes (The Real World, Survivor, American Idol, Extreme Makeover
Home Edition).  Taken as a group, these programs raise a number of
questions about media, culture, and society.  What is reality?  Why
are we so obsessed with it?  How do we distinguish between things
that are real and things that aren’t?  Is there a distinct line, or
are the boundaries blurry?  When we’re talking about Hollywood
productions, is there anything that we can call real?

This class will use reality TV as a starting point to discuss the
relationship between mass media and reality.  We will discuss issues
of genre; media industries; audience reception; the construction of
race, gender, and sexuality; celebrity and star discourse; public
and private; news reporting; documentary filmmaking; fictionalized
history; and authenticity.

In addition to short papers and exams, students will produce short
videos that offer a critical view of some of the issues raised by
reality TV and discussed in class.