Television and American Culture

About the Author(s)

Jason Mittell, Associate Professor of American Studies and Film & Media Culture, Middlebury College

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Television?
SECTION 1: TELEVISION INSTITUTIONS
1. Exchanging Programming
2. Exchanging Audiences
3. Serving the Public Interest
4. Televised Citizenship
SECTION 2: TELEVISION MEANINGS
5. Making Meanings
6. Telling Television Stories
7. Screening America
8. Representing Identity
SECTION 3: TELEVISION PRACTICES
9. Viewing Television
10. Television for Children
11. Television's Transforming Technologies
Conclusion: American Television in a Global Context

Reviews

A terrific introduction to the study of television, this textbook masterfully integrates a look at American television's industrial practices, its genres and narrative strategies, and its cultural roles. Professors will find this textbook comprehensive and well-organized, while students will find it engaging and provocative. - Ethan Thompson, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi

Mittell brings much needed energy to television studies - a well-rounded treatment of television as culture, industry, form, production, and technology.