2003年春季这门课程的副题是〈美国电视：一部文化史〉。

The subtitle of the course for the spring 2003 term is "American Television: A Cultural History."

本课程将用文化的方法来研究电视作为一种表达技术和表达系统的演进历程。我们将电视看作叙事和创造神话的体系，同时将其视为一种文化实践，并用人类学、文学和影视学的视角对其进行研究。我们将重点关注黄金时段播出的营利性电视节目，电视这一媒体形态的科技史和经济史，以及相关的理论观点。这门课程需要观摩很多电视节目，同时也要求大量阅读媒体理论和文化阐释方面的资料

A cultural approach to television's evolution as a technology and system of representation. Considers television as a system of storytelling and myth-making, and as a cultural practice, studied from anthropological, literary, and cinematic perspectives. Focuses on prime-time commercial broadcasting, the medium's technological and economic history, and theoretical perspectives. Much required viewing as well as readings in media theory and cultural interpretation.