- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- Is this black enough for you? a comparative analysis of African-American families portrayed in Black family television comedies between 1980 and 2000, 2018
- Creator:
- Jonas-Fowler, Joycelyn
- Date of Original:
- 2010/2019
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- theses
dissertations - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Research shows that black people watch more television than any other race of people, and, given that television is the most influential media tool, the content of what may affect an audiences behavior and beliefs deserves analysis. This study examines the black family, alleged pathology, strengths that are specifically associated with them, its portrayal on television, and how television is used as a tool for socialization and influence. A content analysis of the top thirty black family shows that appeared on major network television between 1980 and 2000 was conducted to determine if the family framed was portrayed realistically. Each show analyzed was found to portray some characteristic of strong black families, attributes some media and social critics had not previously recognized or acknowledged. This study suggests that further research is warranted from black family, cultural, and media scholars, as well as social policy and program makers, and on how television influences entire cultures to shift socially and economically. KEY TERMS: Black Culture, Black Family, Humor, Media Role, Television, African American Studies, Broadcast and Video Studies, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication, Social Influence and Political Communication, Television
Date of award: 5/21/2018
Degree type: dissertation
Degree name: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Granting institution: Clark Atlanta University
Department: Humanities
Advisor: Patterson, Charmayne
Advisor: Underwood, Aubrey
Advisor: Osinubi, Viktor - Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2018_jonas_fowl_joycelyn
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
