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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

US Narrative Television (Face-to-Face)

ENGL 2160-01

Course: ENGL 2160-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ENGL
CRN: 12111

Course Description

A study of US narrative television from its beginnings up to the present. Representative TV shows will be screened for class study, including both canonical and non-canonical works. Prerequisites: THEA 1023 or ENGL 2023.

Required Texts

Required Text

Egerton, Gary R.. The Columbia History of American Television. Columbia UP, 2009. ISBN: 978-0231121651

Required Screenings (in order)
  • "Premier Show." The Howdy Doody Show [Puppet Playhouse] S1.E1, created by E. Roger Muir, National Broadcasting Company, 27 Dec. 1947. (YouTube)
  • "Episode #1.42." The Milton Berle Show [Texaco Star Theatre Starring Milton Berle]; written by Heywood Kling; Milton Berle Productions, National Broadcasting Company, Texaco Gasoline Company; Mar. 22, 1949. (YouTube)
  • "Job Switching." I Love Lucy S2.E1; directed by William Asher; written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Davis, and Bob Carroll Jr.; Desilu Productions; 15 Sep. 1952. (Paramount+)
  • "The $99,000 Answer." The Honeymooners S1.E18; directed by Frank Satenstein; written by Leonard Stern, Sydney Zelinka, and Jackie Gleason; Jackie Gleason Enterprises; 28 Jan. 1956. (YouTube)
  • "Samantha." The Flintstones S6.E6; directed by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna; written by Harvey Bullock, R.S Allen, and Joseph Barbera; Hanna-Barbera Productions; 22 Oct. 1965. (Tubi)
  • "The Glass Eye." Alfred Hitchcock Presents S3.E1, directed by Robert Stevens, written by Stirling Silliphant and John Keir Cross, Shamley Productions, 6 Oct. 1957. (Dailymotion)
  • "Eye of the Beholder." The Twilight Zone S2.E6, directed by Douglas Heyes, written by Rod Serling, Cayuga Productions, 11 Nov. 1960. (Freevee)
  • "The Gallows." Gunsmoke S7.E22; directed by Andrew V. McLaglen; written by John Meston, Norman MacDonnell, and Charles Marquis Warren; Arness Production Company; 3 Mar. 1962. (Paramount+)
  • "Sammy’s Visit." All in the Family S2.E21; directed by John Rich; written by Norman Lear, Bill Dana, and Don Nicholl; Tandem Productions; 19 Feb. 1972. (Freevee)
  • "Tuttle." M*A*S*H S1.E15; directed by William Ward; written by Bruce Shelly, David Ketchum, and Richard Hooker; 20th Century Fox Television; 14 Jan. 1973. (Hulu)
  • "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet." M*A*S*H S1.E17; directed by William Ward; written by Carl Kleinschmitt, Larry Gelbart, and Richard Hooker; 20th Century Fox Television; 28 Jan. 1973. (Hulu)
  • "Dinah Shore—Went with the Wind." The Carol Burnett Show S10.E8; directed by Dave Powers; written by Roger Beatty, Elias Davis, and David Pollock; Punkin Productions Inc., 13 Nov 13. 1976. (Tubi)
  • "The Stars of Star Wars." The Muppet Show S4.E17; directed by Peter Harris; written by Jerry Juhl, David Odell, and Jim Henson; HIT Entertainment, Henson Associates, Incorporated Television Company, and The Jim Henson Company; 23 Feb. 1980. (Disney+)
  • "Sorry, Wrong Meeting." The Jeffersons S7.E14; directed by Bob Lally; written by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernard West; TAT Communications Company; 15 Feb. 1981. (Vimeo)
  • "Pilot." The Cosby Show S1.E1, directed by Jay Sandrich, written by Ed Weinberger and Michael Leeson, Carsey-Werner Company, 20 Sep. 1984. (Dailymotion)
  • "The World According to Freedom." Hill Street Blues S2.E8; directed by Jeff Bleckner; written by Michael Kozoll, Steven Bochco, and Michael I. Wagner; MTM Enterprises; 7 Jan. 1982. (Dailymotion)
  • "Northwest Passage." Twin Peaks S1.E1; directed by David Lynch; written by Mark Frost and David Lynch; Lynch Entertainment, Lynch/Frost Productions, Spelling Entertainment, and Worldvision; 8 Apr. 1990. (Paramount+)
  • "The One with the Blackout." Friends S1.E7; directed by James Burrows; written by Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, and Ira Ungerleider; Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions; 3 Nov. 1994. (Max)
  • "The Soup Nazi." Seinfeld S7.E6; directed by Andy Ackerman; written by Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, and Spike Feresten; Castle Rock Entertainment; 2 Nov. 1995. (Netflix)
  • "Love’s Labor Lost." ER S1.E19, directed by Mimi Leder, written by Lance Gentile, Amblin Entertainment, 7 Mar. 1995. (Hulu)
  • "Homer’s Enemy." The Simpsons S8.E23; directed by Jim Reardon; written by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon; Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television; 4 May 1997. (Disney+)
  • "Modern Warfare." Community S1.E23, directed by Justin Lin, written by Emily Cutler, Paramount Studios, 6 May 2010. (Hulu)
  • "Pine Barrens." The Sopranos S3.E11; directed by Steve Buscemi; written by David Chase, Terence Winter, and Timothy Van Patten; Chase Films, Home Box Office, Brad Grey Television, and Brillstein Entertainment Partners; 6 May 2001. (Max)
  • "Two Cathedrals." The West Wing S2.E22; directed by Thomas Schlamme; written by Aaron Sorkin; John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and thinkfilm; 16 May 2001. (Max)
  • "Downsize." The Office S1.E1, directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, British Broadcasting Corporation, 9 Jul. 2001. (Hulu)
  • "Pilot." The Office S1.E1; directed by Ken Kwapis; written by Greg Daniels, Ricky Gervais, and Stephen Merchant; Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille Productions, and NBC Universal Television; 24 Mar. • 2005. (Peacock)
  • "Pilot." Breaking Bad S1.E1; directed by Vince Gilligan; written by Vince Gilligan; High Bridge Productions, Gran Via Productions, and Sony Pictures Television; 20 Jan. 2008. (Netflix)
  • "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers." Stranger Things S1.E1; directed by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer; written by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, and Jessie Nickson-Lopez; 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, and Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office; 15 Jul. 2016.
  • "Good News about Hell." Severance S1.E1, directed by Ben Stiller, written by Dan Erickson and Anna Ouyang Moench, Fifth Season and Red Hour Films, 18 Feb. 2022. (AppleTV)
  • "Monster Slayer." Dark Winds S1.E1; directed by Chris Eyre; written by Graham Roland, Tony Hillerman, and Anthony Florez; AMC Studio; 12 Jun. 2022. (Netflix)
  • The Guild, Episodes 1–4; directed by Jane Selle Morgan; written by Felicia Day; RobotKittenGigglebus Entertainment; 27 Jul.–1 Nov. 2007. (watchtheguild.com)

Learning Outcomes

To complete this course successfully, you will develop the following six program learning outcomes at a competent level. These outcomes, which have been introduced to you in your prerequisite coursework, will be reinforced in this course through instruction, practice, and formative assessment. Your efforts will be summatively assessed via a number of interrelated assignments and projects, as indicated.

Learning OutcomeLearning ActivitiesAssessment Methods
Become familiar with the historical achievements, current major issues, processes, and directions in their field.Readings, screenings, class lectures, and discussions.Quizzes and exams
Develop an understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of television and of the interaction of these elements.
Acquire the ability to place works in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
Form and defend value judgments about television and to communicate relevant ideas, concepts, and requirements to professionals and laypersons related to the practice of the major field; ability to work collaboratively as appropriate to the area of specialization.
Gain functional knowledge of the history of television, its artistic and technological evolution, and an understanding of basic aesthetic and critical theory.

Course Requirements

Course Assignments

Quizzes: [30% of the course grade] You will take regular, 5-question quizzes on each textbook chapter and on the screened films via Canvas. These online quizzes will have clear deadlines and therefore cannot be made up if missed.

Exams: [70% of the course grade] You will take two online, open-book/notes exams via Canvas: a midterm focusing on the first half of the semester and a final exam addressing the second half. These exams must be taken on the days indicated in the syllabus–although we will not meet as a class on those days, and you will only have a two-hour window between 9 and 5 during which to take the exams. You will demonstrate your competence in the course learning outcomes through multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank answers, and scene identification and analysis. The final exam may be taken early under extenuating circumstances, requiring a formal rescheduling fee, but neither exam may be taken late.

Grading Policy

This course is primarily about learning historical facts, becoming familiar with trends in televisual technology and style, and exposing yourself to foundational and influential television shows within the United States broadcasting industry. As such, assessment focuses on your ability to retain knowledge, apply understanding, and synthesize your learning into recognizable discussion and analysis. The course is thus assessed objectively and holistically: Each essay question on your two exams will be assigned a letter grade and those grades will be averaged for a comprehensive score. Your holistic course performance will also help determine your additional success. If you can demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes, you will receive an A; competence, a B; familiarity, a C; and ignorance, a D or F.

Course Outline

Tentative Course Schedule
Week 1

Wednesday, January 7

Introduction to the course and television

Discussion of TV as both technology and art form

Friday, January 9

Review of syllabus and discussion of course assignments and procedures

Week 2

Monday, January 12

Chapter 1: "An Idea Whose Time Had Come" (TV before 1940)

Wednesday, January 14

Chapter 2: "Not Going According to Plan" (TV 1940–1947)

Friday, January 16

"Premier Show," The Howdy Doody Show, S1.E1

Week 3

Monday, January 19

No Class—Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Wednesday, January 21

Chapter 3: "Learning to Live with Television"

Friday, January 23

Chapter 4: "Here Comes Television" (TV 1948–1954)

Week 4

Monday, January 26

"Episode #1.42," The Milton Berle Show

Wednesday, January 28

"Job Switching," I Love Lucy, S2.E1

Friday, January 30

Chapter 5: "The Halcyon Years" (TV 1955–1963)

Week 5

Monday, February 2

"The $99,000 Answer," The Honeymooners, S1.E18

"Samantha," The Flintstones, S6.E6

Wednesday, February 4

"The Glass Eye," Alfred Hitchcock Presents, S3.E1

"Eye of the Beholder," The Twilight Zone, S2.E6

Friday, February 6

"The Gallows," Gunsmoke, S7.E22

Week 6

Monday, February 9

Chapter 6: "Television and the Presidency"

Wednesday, February 11

Chapter 7: "A Great Awakening" (TV 1864–1975)

Friday, February 13

"Sammy’s Visit," All in the Family, S2.E21

Week 7

Monday, February 16

No Class—Presidents’ Day

Wednesday, February 18

"Tuttle," M*A*S*H, S1.E15

"Sometimes You Hear the Bullet," M*A*S*H, S1.E17

Friday, February 20

Chapter 8: "The Sky’s the Limit" (TV 1976–1991)

Week 8

Monday, February 23

"Dinah Shore—Went with the Wind," The Carol Burnett Show, S10.E8

Wednesday, February 25

"The Stars of Star Wars," The Muppet Show, S4.E17

Friday, February 27

Midterm Exam (on Canvas)

Week 9

Monday, March 2

"Sorry, Wrong Meeting," The Jeffersons, S7.E14

"Pilot," The Cosby Show, S1.E1

Wednesday, March 4

"The World According to Freedom," Hill Street Blues, S2.E8

Friday, March 6

"Northest Passage," Twin Peaks, S1.E1

Spring Break

Week 10

Monday, March 16

Chapter 9: "The Changing Face of Television"

Wednesday, March 18

Chapter 10: "The Business of America Is Show Business" (TV 1922–present)

Friday, March 20

"The One with the Blackout," Friends, S1.E7

"The Soup Nazi," Seinfeld, S7.E6

Week 11

Monday, March 23

"Love’s Labor Lost," ER, S1.E19

Wednesday, March 25

"Homer’s Enemy," The Simpsons, S8.E23

"Modern Warfare," Community, S1.E23

Friday, March 27

"Pine Barrens," The Sopranos, S3.E11

Week 12

Monday, March 30

"Two Cathedrals," The West Wing, S2.E22

Wednesday, April 1

"Downsize," The Office, S1.E1

"Pilot," The Office, S1.E1

Friday, April 3

"Pilot," Breaking Bad, S1.E1

Week 13

Monday, April 6

"Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers," Stranger Things, S1.E1

Wednesday, April 8

"Good News about Hell," Severance, S1.E1

Friday, April 10

"Monster Slayer," Dark Winds, S1.E1

Week 14

Monday, April 13

Chapter 11: "The Greatest Show on Earth"

Wednesday, April 15

Chapter 12: "Tune in Locally, Watch Globally"

Wednesday, April 17

Episodes 1–4 of The Guild

Finals Week

Monday, April 22, 7:00 a.m.–8:50 a.m.

Final Exam (on Canvas)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Class Decorum and Behavior

Please listen attentively and engage respectfully in all in-class discussions and conversations. I will expect you to read/view the assigned material carefully in advance (as indicated on the course schedule) so you can participate intelligently in all in-class discussions and activities. Please don’t distract others with your electronic devices!

In-class Work

You may participate in activities to enhance your learning, exercises which may include theme writing, group discussions, personal reflections, and other potential experiences. Although your work will not be formally graded, you will learn through practice, feedback, reflection, and repetition.

Late/Make-up Work

Generally speaking, I do not accept late work nor will I provide make-up or substitution assignments. I may make exceptions in advance if I choose.

Attendance Policy

Attendance: You will learn more and have a better experience if you hear the lectures, engage with your classmates, and participate in the discussions personally. That said, if you are ill (especially if you are contagious), please stay home.

Course Fees

Recommended Supplies

You must have access to paper or a computer in class for note-taking, quizzes, written assignments and exercises, and other potential activities.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.