Graduate Studies in the Study of Television?

I'm am now looking for some kind of graduate program in things I am interested, I am a while away from Graduating college but I figure it's never too early to be prepared. I'm enjoy TV and I suppose you could say I am an overzealous couch potato. I'm not interested in television production, more it's effect on popular culture and how, when people look back on our generation, what we watch and such reflects kind of who we are. I know there are studies in film, which interests me too, but I am more interested in television. I guess what I'm asking is DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF GRADUATE PROGRAM I SHOULD LOOK FOR? cause I don't really know exactly what department this kind of study would fall under. Any kind of help is appreciated.



This is a tougher one because they call these programs all different names, but there are definitely a lot of these programs out there. If you want to see the kind of work you might produce, I suggest looking at the scholarly journal _Studies in Popular Culture_. They have tons of articles like the things you're talking about.





Here are some of the names of these kinds of programs:


Media Studies


Popular Culture








And some schools have these kinds of programs in English or Communication departments as well.





Here's a description of a program from University of Minnesota:





Critical Media Studies





Critical Media Studies approaches mediated communication as a cultural form that is socially influential, economically powerful, and politically significant. Coursework in Critical Media Studies emphasizes qualitative, historical, and critical approaches to the study of media texts, audiences, institutions, policies, and economics. Topics covered in the Critical Media Studies curriculum include feminist media studies, media, race, and identity; political economy of media, audience reception and effects, popular culture, and media regulation and industries. Coursework outside the department is usually in the fields of American studies, cultural studies, political science, sociology, or women's studies.





Hope this gives you a start!