Writing assignment #10 (Due Tuesday): Report on a book covering more than a decade in broadcasting history. (350-500 words; 4-5 secondary sources. Wikipedia and IMDB don’t count here.)

Please turn in this assignment on paper or by email: jmbaxter@jmail.umd.edu

Reading: “Big Bird Flies Right” (PBS); "Introduction," Television and the Performing Arts, by Brian G. Rose. Post comments on the reading here.

Reading: Davies, Maire Messenger and Pearson, Roberta. “Star Trek - Network to Syndication;” Erickson, Hal. “Syndication in a 150-Year Nutshell.” Post thoughts about the reading here for discussion.

Reading: Wu, Tim. Ch. 16 and 19 in The Master Switch; Campbell, W. Joseph. “Fright Beyond Measure? The Myth of The War of the Worlds.” Post thoughts about the reading here for discussion.

Reading: Wu, Tim. Ch. 10 and 13 in The Master Switch. Post thoughts about the reading for discussion.

Writing assignment #9: Find one letter to Howard K. Smith that interests you. Find out some more about the issues addressed in the letter, the actual broadcast, some kind of background. (250-350 words; 4-5 secondary sources).

Writing assignment #8: A 250-word status memo. It should give an account of your search for relevant primary records and secondary sources, the approach you are taking in your research, and the most interesting of your initial findings.

More about newsreels.... let me know your thoughts!

Writing assignment #7: 1. Pick a week from 1955-1980 in TV Guide (on microfilm). Describe that issue (articles, ads, what region it serves) and take note of several specials or featured programming in that issue, usually broken out from the listings as a sidebar. 2. Find a review of (or article about) one of those special programs in Variety and summarize.  (250-350 words; 4-5 secondary sources).

Reading: Leeman, Nicholas. “The Murrow Doctrine;” Campbell, W. Joseph. “Murrow vs. McCarthy: Timing Makes The Myth” and “Debunking the ‘Cronkite Moment.’” We split this assignment up among the class; each of you will read (at least) one of these articles. Post your thoughts about the reading  for discussion.

Today we're watching a documentary, "From Newsreels to News." Let me know what you think.

Writing assignment #6: Listen to the radio version of a popular program and then watch the early TV version. Compare and contrast them. Watch, listen and think critically. (250-350 words; 4-5 secondary sources).

Reading: "World War II and the Invention of Broadcast Journalism," from Michele Hilmes Listening In. Post thoughts about the reading here for discussion. If you're wondering what to write, just tell me the one thing from the reading that you didn't know and that you're still going to remember a year from now.

Reading for next week: Wu, Tim. Ch. 6 and 8 in The Master Switch. Post thoughts about the reading here for further discussion. What bit(s) of history from these chapters will you still remember a year from now?

Writing assignment #5: Find an issue of a periodical or journal at the Broadcasting Archives from before you were born. Pick an article, summarize it briefly and try to give the subject some historical context. Describe any illustrations for the article. If appropriate, describe the magazine itself – its style, its intended audience, the kind of advertisements included. (250-350 words; 2-3 secondary sources).

The NBC Chimes (online) Museum

Writing assignment #4: Choose a single folder from the vertical files from the Broadcasting Archives – station files, subject files, transcripts, pamphlets. Whatever you pick, summarize it briefly and try to give the subject some historical context. Describe the contents of the folder. (250-350 words; 2-3 secondary sources).

Reading for week of Sept. 24: Wu, Tim. Ch. 5 in The Master Switch; Giddins, Gary. “This Guy Wouldn’t Give You The Parsley Off His Fish” (half the class), McFadden, Margaret T. “America's Boy Friend Who Can't Get a Date” (half the class). Post thoughts about the reading here for discussion.

Today, in class, we're watching a documentary called "Pioneers of Primetime." What do you think?

Writing assignment #3 (Due Tuesday): Ask for the photo file on a particular person at the Broadcasting Archives (someone you’ve read about or just a name at random), explore the contents (sometimes more than photos), do some research and write about that person or the event depicted. Be sure you’ve picked an interesting photo and describe it well. (250-350 words; 2-3 secondary sources. Include a copy of one of the photos).

Reading for next week: Wu, Tim. Ch. 2 and 4 in The Master Switch; excerpt from Sunday Nights at Seven: The Jack Benny Story. Post thoughts about the reading to the class blog for discussion.

Writing assignment #2: Listen to some vintage radio programs (find one online – see list). Describe what you heard: not the story but the sound quality, the language, the voices, the format of the show. Do some research and write about one in particular, or compare and contrast two of the same genre. (250-350 words; 2-3 secondary sources).

Reading for next class: Hilmes, Michele. “Print Formats Come to Broadcasting;” Kompare, Derek. “Live vs. Recorded on Radio.”  What are your thoughts?

Today, in class, we're watching Part 1 of a documentary called "Empire of the Air." If you had any thoughts or comments about the film, during or after viewing, please post them here.

Reading for next class: Wu, Tim. Introduction and Ch. 1 in The Master Switch. Post thoughts about the reading here for discussion. What was your take away from the readings? What interested you the most?

Writing assignment #1 (Due Tuesday): Find a television program from before 1990 online (see list of suggested web sites), watch an episode, and think about it. Describe what you saw. What's different from the kinds of shows you watch today? Write a short paragraph or two about what kinds of research questions you think you could pursue. (ALSO: Note where you found the program.)