The Forms for Serial Stories (20389)
Degree/study: Degree in Audiovisual Communication
Year: 2nd
Term: 1st
Number of ECTS credits: 4 credits
Hours of studi dedication: 100 hours
Teaching language or languages: catalan/spanish
Teaching Staff: Xavier Pérez Torío and Manuel Garin Boronat
1. Presentation of the subject
The subject Serial Story Forms is aimed to familiarize students with the structures and forms of the narrative organization serial fiction, proposing a systematic analysis of the different serial models and a compared study of its basic characteristics in the different serial expression media: literature, cinema, television, comic, video game, etc. The question that has to be answered when approaching any subject would be: ¿how does the internal structure of fiction operate when it organizes in a serial format?
The method applied in programming the contents is given by a double model. Firstly, it presents a first methodological approach dedicated to the explanation of resources, techniques and procedures of the serial fiction among the study of a foundational and canonical example: the Arthurian narrative as a serial universe. Secondly, it considers a proposal to study cases of these procedures and techniques, from a series of basic works that illustrate with special clarity the concepts studied in the first part and that completes a general itinerary through the group of organization forms of the serial fiction in the different media.
2. Competences to be attained
Skills in collecting and interpreting relevant data (inside and outside the field of study) to be able to dispense judgements that include the reflection on significant social, scientific and ethical issues.
Learning skills that allow continuing the studies in a self-directed or autonomous way.
Capacity and skills in the use of techniques when building audiovisual scripts.
Skills in the processes of building and analysing audiovisual stories, linear as well as non linear.
Capacity to read and analyse texts in each one of the communication media and in digital supports.
3. Contents
Analysis of forms, techniques and procedures that configure the serial type of narrative structures.
4. Assessment
Assessment areas
- Participation in classroom activities
- Teamwork
- Exhibitions and demonstrations
- Exam
Assessment system
The assessment system is given by the average compensated by the teamwork, the public exhibition of this work and the final exam, with a qualitative correction depending on the interventions of students in the classroom debates.
5. Bibliography and teaching resources
5.1. Basic bibliography
Manuals
ALVAR, C. Breve diccionario artúrico. Madrid: Alianza, 1997.
BALLÓ, J.; PÉREZ, X. Jo ja he estat aquí. Ficcions de la repetició. Barcelona: Empúries, 2005. (Traducció al castellà: Yo ya he estado aquí. Ficciones de la repetición. Barcelona: Anagrama, 2005).
CIRLOT, V. La novela artúrica: orígenes de la ficción en la cultura europea. Barcelona, Montesinos, 1995.
GARCÍA GUAL, C. Historia del rey Arturo y de los nobles y errantes caballeros de la Tabla Redonda. Madrid: Alianza, 2003.
Fictions
Anonymous, La búsqueda del Santo Grial. Madrid: Alianza, 1997.
Anonymous, La muerte del Rey Arturo. Madrid: Alianza, 1997.
Anonymous, Sir Gawain y el Caballero Verde. Madrid: Alianza, 2005.
CHRÉTIEN, de Troyes. Erec y Enid. Madrid: Siruela, 1993.
CHRÉTIEN, de Troyes. El Cavaller del Lleó. Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 2001.
CHRÉTIEN, de Troyes. El Caballero de la Carreta. Madrid: Alianza, 1998.
CHRÉTIEN, de Troyes. El Cuento del Grial y Sus Continuaciones. Madrid: Siruela, 2000.
GEOFFREY, de Manmouth. Historia de los reyes de Britania. Madrid: Alianza, 2003.
MALORY, T. La muerte de Arturo. Madrid: Siruela, 1999.
TWAIN, M. Un ianqui a la cort del Rei Artús. Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 1999.
STEINBECK, J. Los hechos del Rey Arturo y sus nobles caballeros. Barcelona: Edhasa, 1988.
5.2. Complementary bibliography
ALBERTONI, C. W. Santas historietas: enciclopedia de los cómics. Buenos Aires: Catálogos, 2004.
BLOOM, H. El canon occidental. Barcelona: Anagrama, 2001.
CASETTI, F. L'imagine al plurale. Serialità e repetizione nell cinema e la televisione. Venecia: Marsilio Editore, 1984.
CIRLOT, V. Figuras del destino: mitos y símbolos de la Europa medieval. Madrid: Siruela, 2005.
FOSTER, H. El príncipe valiente. Re-edición Planeta De Agostini
DELEUZE, G. Diferencia y repetición. Buenos Aires: Amorrortu, 2002.
ECO, U. Apocalípticos e integrados. Barcelona: Lumen, 1990.
ECO, U. Seis paseos por los bosques narrativos. Barcelona: Lumen, 1997.
ELIADE, M. El mito del eterno retorno: arquetipos y repetición. Madrid: Alianza, 1972.
KIERKEGAARD, S. La repetición. Barcelona: Guadarrama, 1975.
KOTT, J. Shakespeare, Nuestro Contemporáneo. Barcelona: Alba, 2007.
TRÍAS, E. Drama e identidad. Barcelona: Ariel, 1984.
VV. AA. La caja lista: televisión norteamericana de culto. Barcelona: Laertes, 2007.
VV. AA. The Contemporary Television Series. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005.
VV. AA. El relato electrónico. Valencia: Filmoteca Española, 1989.
6. Metodology
Master classes
Seminars
Guided analysis assignments
Teamwork
Personal study
7. Planning of activities
FIRST PART
Week 1
Methodological Approach - The serial as a fictional structure: the Arthurian universe.
General introduction and framework of the subject
Genealogy of the serial forms: fictions of repetition
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research
Week 2
Methodological Approach - The serial as a fictional structure: the Arthurian universe.
Chronology of the Brittany subject: genre and multiple authorship
Repetition and variation. From the infinite time to the finite time
Procedures, techniques and styles. Proposal of a serial morphology
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research
Week 3
Methodological Approach - The serial as a fictional structure: the Arthurian universe.
Internal mechanisms of narration. Intra-stories and fictional centres
The concept of serial authorship: canon, apocryphal and appropriation
Multiple system, game, rules, serial identity.
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research
SECOND PART
Weeks 4-5
Case study - The serial narration models
UNIT 1 - The only character and the serial hero
Action in suspense, the infinite question: serial adventurers
From the myth of the only to time faces: the hero's cycle
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research
Weeks 5-6
Case study - The serial narration models
UNIT 2 - Binary series: duet as a serial constant
Infinite dialogues: the comic couple and the dual learning
Duplicated research and vectorial wish: the two researchers
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research
Weeks 6-7
Case study- The serial narration models
UNIT 3 - The family recreation and group routines
From the infinite arcadia to the dysfunctional sitcom
The saga and the blood: time, power and end of the tragic home
Assessment: Hand in the group assignment through the Aula Global in Moodle
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research. Preparation and writing of the group analysis assignment.
Weeks 7-8
Case study- The serial narration models
UNIT 4 - Serial as a system: the community
The collective journey and the superhero society
Genesis / apocalypses: Universes and cosmologic labyrinths
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research. Preparation and writing of the group analysis assignment.
Weeks 8-9
Case study- The serial narration models
UNIT 5 - The free form: alternative series and contra-models
From the infinite invention to the loop form: suspense variations
The end of all time, histories of the impossible
Class activities: Master classes, fragment viewing, debates
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research. Preparation and writing of the group analysis assignment.
THIRD PART
Weeks 9-10
Student's presentation - Review and debate of assignments
Session 1 (Groups 1,2,3,4) and Session 2 (Groups 5,6,7,8)
Assessment: Presentation of the group assignment in class
Class activities: Analysis of student's presentations and debate
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research. Preparation and writing of the group analysis assignment.
Weeks 10-11
Student's presentation - Review and debate of assignments
Session 1 (Groups 1,2,3,4) and Session 2 (Groups 5,6,7,8)
Assessment: Presentation of the group assignment in class
Class activities: Analysis of student's presentations and debate
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research. Preparation and writing of the group analysis assignment.
Week 11
Student's presentation - Review and debate of assignments
Last group doubts and final session
Course closure - The serial performance: tables and knights
Assessment: Presentation of the group assignment in class
Class activities: Analysis of student's presentations and debate. Final class.
Out-of-class activities: bibliographic and audiovisual research. Preparation and writing of the group analysis assignment.
Exam period
Assessment: Hand in written group assignments through the Aula Global in Moodle
Assessment: Carry out a written individual exam in class.