Culture Questions for Television



Adapted from “Reading Culture: Contexts for Critical Reading and Writing”



by Diana George & John Trimbur (8th Edition)







SUBMIT IN WORD FILE ONLY. To help you with grammar, install grammerly.com.



Choose a TV show to analyze. Options are: The Newsroom, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Shameless, VEEP, The Simpsons, House of Cards. 





Name of show:________________________________ Episode (include date):_________________________________________





Why did you choose this show and this episode?__________________________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________________________



_________________________________________________________________________________________________





How are the surface areas of culture (dress, food, language, customs, body language) reflected in the TV show?











What do the characters think is important? What isn`t important? 











What values are expressed in the TV show? What isn`t valued?











Consider the emotions of the TV show. Is there any humor? Why is it considered funny? Would it be funny in other cultures? Is there any fear or suspense? Is it a universal fear or specific to a particular culture?











How do people in different groups interact with each other? Are there any hierarchies or conflict? Why?











Are people of different races and cultures depicted? If they are, does the episode stereotype them, or does it realistically portray the individuals.











Does the show aim to make any commentary on social or political issues?