2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP5371M Reality TV: Truth or Fiction?

30 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Jessica Martin
Email: J.Martin@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will introduce students to core sociological concepts, empirical studies and theoretical approaches to studying reality television. Covering a range of formats and sub-genres, and exploring questions of representation, production and consumption, the module will instil a critical, scholarly disposition towards the study of reality television. It will enable students to apply critical literatures and approaches to a programme of their choice from an international context familiar to them.

Objectives

The overall aim of this module to to provide students with the critical skills and knowledges to apply their ‘sociological imagination’ to reality television.

It seeks to imbue students with the mastery of high level social science skills to assess and evaluate the popular genre of Reality Television.

It will enable students to critically apply this expertise to a specific national context, genre or social formation.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of and critical engagement with the key theoretical and critical debates and emprical studies within the social sciences concerning Reality Television
2. analyse, critically evaluate and apply different theories, definitions and forms of Reality Television
3. examine and locate Reality Television programmes within their broader socio-political context
4. evaluate the strengths and limitations of different conceptual frameworks relevant to the study of Reality Television
5. demonstrate knowledge of the key texts from the field of the social sciences concerned with Reality Television.
6. To engage fully in class discussions in relation to the key readings and their implications for the study of Reality Television.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

1. Develop analytical and critical thinking skills
2. Develop subject knowledge, and the ability to evaluate and apply this to the study of Reality Television programmes
3. Enhance proficiency in academic writing and the formulation of clear, cogent arguments
4. Work independently through self-directed learning, managing both time and resources effectively

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			11.00
Private study hours			268.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided through seminars, feedback during tutorial discussions, attendance at open doors, and attendance at assessment Q&A sessions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/06/2024

Disclaimer

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