Essay Goals To explore the process of representation on television with some depth.  To conduct close textual analysis of a set of related episodes or shows. To apply the theories and approaches of course readings to an analysis of television. To provide critical insight into television as institution and as text. Basic Requirements Approximately 8-10 pages or 2000-2500 words Use at least 2 outside academic sources (See  General Requirements below ) Draw upon class readings and lectures Analyze  at least  3 representative episodes from one or more shows. So you can analyze 3 episodes of a single show or one episode from 3 different shows or 1 and 2 or 2 and 1 or 2 and 2, etc. Format according to APA style Include a bibliography or works cited page Essay Questions You may come up with your own topic as long as it fits within the course. If you have any concerns about your topic, discuss it with Jody or your TA. You are asked to write an approximately 2000-2500 word analysis of a TV show or shows that focus on the issue of social representation. You must provide a close analysis of at least three different shows/episodes. Essays must be relevant to class texts and lectures. You are required to draw upon class materials and least two outside academic research sources. You may use or adapt one of the following questions. Feel free to modify these questions. Lectures and readings should clarify the significance of all of the following. I chose: Animation Consider animation's relentless critique of both television and the culture as a whole. In the last few decades, animation has positioned itself outside the mainstream and has offered some brilliant social and ideological commentary. Long past are the days of the  Flintstones  and the  Jetsons ;  The Simpsons, South Park  and  Adult Swim, Ren and Stimpy  all offer intelligent, sophisticated cultural critique wrapped in the façade of crude humor and fart jokes. And yet… And yet why does  The Simpsons  always end in family unity and harmony? Why do we love Homer, Hank Hill, Daria, Peter Griffin, and even Cartman so much? How does a show like  Bob's Burgers  redefine the TV family? Can the grotesque be considered subversive? If so, what exactly does it subvert? How does a show like  Happy Tree Friends  challenge a culture obsessed with cuteness? How do animated family show undermine the norms and values of the sitcom? How do these new animated shows embody the carnivalesque and the grotesque? In what ways are these shows self-reflexive toward television? How do these shows challenge dominant beliefs by representing alternative characters, lifestyles and situations? How might an animated family like the, Hills, Morgendorffers, Belchers, Griffins, or Smiths expose the economic conditions or the predicament of the middle or working class in ways live action shows do not? Begin by thinking of the ways these animated shows stand in opposition to the traditions they draw upon. Try to recognize the ways th.

1. Essay Goals
To explore the process of representation on television with
some depth.
To conduct close textual analysis of a set of related episodes or
shows.
To apply the theories and approaches of course readings to an
analysis of television.
To provide critical insight into television as institution and as
text.
Basic Requirements
Approximately 8-10 pages or 2000-2500 words
Use at least 2 outside academic sources (See
General Requirements below
)
Draw upon class readings and lectures
Analyze
at least
3 representative episodes from one or more shows. So you can
analyze 3 episodes of a single show or one episode from 3
different shows or 1 and 2 or 2 and 1 or 2 and 2, etc.
Format according to APA style
Include a bibliography or works cited page
Essay Questions
You may come up with your own topic as long as it fits within
the course. If you have any concerns about your topic, discuss it
with Jody or your TA.
You are asked to write an approximately 2000-2500 word
analysis of a TV show or shows that focus on the issue of social
representation. You must provide a close analysis of at least
three different shows/episodes. Essays must be relevant to class
texts and lectures. You are required to draw upon class
materials and least two outside academic research sources. You
may use or adapt one of the following questions. Feel free to
modify these questions. Lectures and readings should clarify the
significance of all of the following.

2. I chose:
Animation
Consider animation's relentless critique of both television and
the culture as a whole. In the last few decades, animation has
positioned itself outside the mainstream and has offered some
brilliant social and ideological commentary. Long past are the
days of the
Flintstones
and the
Jetsons
;
The Simpsons, South Park
and
Adult Swim, Ren and Stimpy
all offer intelligent, sophisticated cultural critique wrapped in
the façade of crude humor and fart jokes. And yet… And yet
why does
The Simpsons
always end in family unity and harmony? Why do we love
Homer, Hank Hill, Daria, Peter Griffin, and even Cartman so
much? How does a show like
Bob's Burgers
redefine the TV family? Can the grotesque be considered
subversive? If so, what exactly does it subvert?
How does a show like
Happy Tree Friends
challenge a culture obsessed with cuteness?
How do animated family show undermine the norms and values
of the sitcom?
How do these new animated shows embody the carnivalesque
and the grotesque?
In what ways are these shows self-reflexive toward television?
How do these shows challenge dominant beliefs by representing
alternative characters, lifestyles and situations?
How might an animated family like the, Hills, Morgendorffers,

3. Belchers, Griffins, or Smiths expose the economic conditions or
the predicament of the middle or working class in ways live
action shows do not?
Begin by thinking of the ways these animated shows stand in
opposition to the traditions they draw upon. Try to recognize
the ways they refuse or openly mock traditional values, beliefs
and ideologies – like of middle-class decorum or the nuclear
family. What do they express for us and how do we account for
their popularity? Think about what the Flanders represent or the
ways
South Park
takes on current issues and controversies. Consider the ways a
show like
King of the Hill
exposes and mocks, in subtle ways, the values of Middle
America in the flyover states.