TRAVAIL DE MATURITE 2016-2017 : Proposition

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TRAVAIL DE MATURITE 2016-2017 : Proposition de thème
COMPETING PERSPECTIVES OF AMERICA IN TV SERIES
(BILINGUE : ANGLAIS/FRANCAIS)
1. BRANCHE(S) CONCERNEE(S) : ENGLISH, HISTORY, FILM STUDIES
2. Prof. responsable(s): JOSIANNE LAUBER (LAUJ), BANU AKIN (AKIB)
3. Thème du séminaire: Decoding the cultural messages present in one of today’s most powerful
mediums – The American Television Series.
3.1. Bref résumé de la problématique :
Today, the United States is involved in what a lot of observers call a culture war. This period
of evolution and transition in cultural norms has intensified since the 1960s and has given rise to very
intense debates in the public arena as to what being “American” really means.
The importance of Television programming in this struggle cannot be underestimated.
Commenting on the debate surrounding homosexual marriage in 2012, the American vice president
Joe Biden remarked that “ [the sitcom]‘Will & Grace’ probably did more to educate the American
public [about homosexuality] than almost anything anybody has ever done so far”.1
Students will be led to study a number of different American TV series to see what messages
they convey concerning the challenging issues of our day: rural vs. city life, religion and spirituality,
marriage and family, gender roles, political, religious and educational institutions, the police and its
corruption, etc. Does the series chosen uphold traditional values or subvert them? How are they
portrayed and by what means? Is the message explicit or implicit?
3.2. Propositions de sujets pour les travaux inclus dans ce thème :
The following TV shows and topics are suggestions. Students are more than welcome to pick other
shows and/or topics.
 Mad Men: The empire of advertisement and consumption, the portrayal of 1960s/1970s
 True Detective: The myths around the lost Americas (Louisiana and California devoid of
its glamorous and shiny image)/corruptions (the police and the politicians)
 Boardwalk Empire: The birth of police corruption and organized crime
 Desperate Housewives: Gender roles, American “housewifery”, American suburban life
 Orange is the New Black: Feminism, gender struggles, penitentiary system for women
 Fargo: American sense of crime, law, and lawlessness
 Homeland: The USA and the struggle against terrorism
 Breaking Bad: Good man gone bad due to a system not supporting those who need help
Eldridge, David, « Biden ‘comfortable’ with gay marriage, cites ‘Will & Grace’, washington times, May, 06,
2012http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/6/biden-will-grace-educated-public-about-gays/,
consulté le 05.12.15
1
4. Considérations méthodologiques :
Students should be able to:
 Watch one of the TV series from a critical point of view,
 Focus on the most important topics in the chosen series and the way they are explored in the
show,
 Analyze the way the characters are constructed and adopt their worldview,
 Explore the impact of the location,
 Take into account the cultural and commercial impact of the chosen series within the USA as
well as worldwide.
5. Compétences requises et / ou intérêts souhaités chez l'élève :

Good command of English (a 5 or higher in English class)

Film Analysis

Background of the cultural revolution in the United States