Course Description: 

This course focuses on the internationally streamable series as a visual form, an adapted product, and a powerful means of communication about national cultures and geographic contexts. It provides instruction in formal and contextual analysis of the streamable series and its role in popular culture and as product thereof. Examples of series produced to cater to the diverse tastes of international audiences are drawn from dynamic non-Hollywood centres of production such as Egypt, India (“Bollywood”), Mexico, Nigeria (“Nollywood”), South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Topics include: the codes and conventions of this globalised cultural form; the streamable product as an international event (fan audiences, global marketing, social media engagement, etc.); the role of images in shaping popular culture; visual and material culture in transnational contexts; and the digital media’s role in movements for social, cultural, and political change

Weekly Schedule & Readings:

• Weekly Schedule:
• Week 1 – Introduction
• Screening: In lieu of screenings for this week, please ensure you review, and are comfortable with, the trigger warnings for the four shows we will be watching during this semester: One Day (2024); Love & Anarchy (2020-22); It’s Okay to Not be Okay (2020); Valeria (2020-25).
• ———–Bingewatching – One Day (2024)——–
• Week 2 
• Watch Before Class: One Day Season 1, Episodes 1-5 
• Week 3 
• Watch Before Class: One Day Season 1, Episodes 6-10
• Week 4 
•  Watch Before Class: One Day Season 1, Episodes 11-14
• ——-Romcoms – Love & Anarchy (2020-22)——-
• Week 5
•  Watch Before Class: Love & Anarchy Season 1, Episodes 1-4
• Week 6 
•  Watch Before Class: Love & Anarchy Season 1, Episodes 5-8
• ——-Cinematography – It’s Okay to Not be Okay (2020)——-
• Week 7  
•  Watch Before Class: It’s Okay to Not be Okay Episodes 1-4
• Week 8 
•  Watch Before Class: It’s Okay to Not be Okay Episodes 5-8
• Week 9  
•  Watch Before Class: It’s Okay to Not be Okay Episodes 9-12 
• Week 10 
•  Watch Before Class: It’s Okay to Not be Okay Episodes 13-16
• ——-Streaming Nationhood – Valeria (2020-25)——-
• Week 11 
•  Watch Before Class: Valeria Season 1, Episodes 1-4
• Week 12 
•  Watch Before Class: Valeria Season 1, Episodes 5-8

 Course Evaluation: 

• Participation (group Whiteboard brainstorm)                      20%                 
• Critical Reflection (1 x 4 series)                                           40%                 
• Critical Responses (8 x Course Content)                              40%     

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 “The Netflix brand for TV shows is really all about binge viewing. The ability to get hooked and watch episode after episode.” – Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO & Founder 

“You shouldn’t be embarrassed about being sad.” – It’s Okay to Not be Okay 

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