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    From Mayberry to Netflix: Topics in Television Studies, Race, Gender, and Class
    In-person Program

    From Mayberry to Netflix: Topics in Television Studies, Race, Gender, and Class

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Study how television represents race, gender and class through genre analysis, seminar discussion and critical writing.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    From Mayberry to Netflix at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    No course prerequisites

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

    Cost

    $5,786; $4,482

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Media StudiesSocial SciencesFilm
    Campus experience: Brown University
    Instructor: Katherine Contess
    Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 12:15-3:05 p.m.
    Class activities: Seminars, research and analytical writing

    From Mayberry to Netflix summary

    Brown's course treats television as a subject for serious critical study, examining how race, gender and class appear across different genres.

    Students combine close analysis and theoretical readings with seminar discussion, research and analytical writing.

    It suits curious viewers who want to explain how television works and question assumptions about which shows deserve academic attention.

    What is From Mayberry to Netflix: Topics in Television Studies, Race, Gender, and Class?

    From Mayberry to Netflix: Topics in Television Studies, Race, Gender, and Class is a Brown University Pre-College course examining television as an interdisciplinary academic subject. It explores representation, narrative and the changing production, distribution and consumption of television.

    Students analyze contemporary shows alongside historical patterns of race, gender and class. The on-campus experience includes seminar-style discussion, individual research and analytical writing, with each week organized around a different television genre.

    Why Succeed highlights From Mayberry to Netflix

    • The course connects familiar television shows with substantial questions about race, gender and class.

    • Studying drama, sitcoms, teen television and reality television encourages students to question conventional academic hierarchies.

    • Historical and contemporary perspectives help students understand what streaming changes and what it preserves.

    • Seminar discussion, research and analytical writing provide practice with college classroom expectations.

    Who is From Mayberry to Netflix for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy discussing television and want to develop critical reading, research and analytical writing skills.

    Not ideal if

    Your main goal is filming, editing or producing a show, since the course centers on television analysis.

    Is From Mayberry to Netflix worth it?

    This course has clear academic value if you want to turn an interest in television into stronger critical thinking and writing. Its combination of theoretical reading, historical context and seminar discussion provides a useful introduction to media scholarship.

    The main limitation is its specialized focus on interpreting television rather than creating it. Consider whether undergraduate-level discussion, research and writing match your goals before choosing it over a practical storytelling or production course.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,786; $4,482.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does From Mayberry to Netflix need?

    Effort level

    Substantial academic engagement.

    Best started

    Allow a few weeks before your course starts for close-viewing and writing practice.

    Main challenge

    Building an argument from specific television scenes and theoretical ideas.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose an episode and note how dialogue, setting and character relationships convey race, gender or class.

    • Write a short argument supported by two or three specific moments.

    • Practice discussing an interpretation while considering a different viewpoint.

    Useful if

    You want to become a more active viewer and confident media critic.

    What do students do on From Mayberry to Netflix?

    You study television narratives as texts, connecting close analysis with theoretical readings and historical context. Discussion, research and collaborative or creative projects develop your ability to explain how television represents social identities.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore the characteristics that distinguish television as a medium.

    2. 2

      Examine different genres and their portrayals of race, gender and class.

    3. 3

      Connect contemporary shows with historical patterns of representation.

    4. 4

      Develop interpretations through seminar discussion, individual research and analytical writing.

    5. 5

      Consider how streaming and platform convergence reshape television genres.

    From Mayberry to Netflix dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Program dates

    22 June-2 July

    Course 10094; Monday-Friday, 12:15-3:05 p.m.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • No course prerequisites.

    How to apply to From Mayberry to Netflix

    1. 1

      Read Brown Pre-College's application guidance linked from the course catalog.

    2. 2

      Follow the official application instructions for your chosen course.

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    What does From Mayberry to Netflix cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Drama

    Examine The Wire and assumptions about prestigious television.

    Sitcoms

    Analyze Modern Family within television's representations of social identities.

    Melodrama

    Study Bridgerton while questioning hierarchies of television genres.

    Teen television

    Explore Stranger Things as an example of teen television.

    Reality television

    Examine The Real Housewives as a text for critical study.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on From Mayberry to Netflix?

    A typical day during the program.

    Class meetings

    Classes meet Monday-Friday, 12:15-3:05 p.m.

    Genre focus

    Each week explores a different television genre and related forms.

    Who teaches on From Mayberry to Netflix?

    Katherine Contess is the listed instructor for Course 10094.

    What happens after From Mayberry to Netflix?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build a foundation for further study of film, television and digital media.

    Develop analytical writing and individual research skills.

    Practice participation in college-style seminar discussions.

    Apply critical viewing tools to television you encounter in the future.

    Where does From Mayberry to Netflix take place?

    The course takes place on campus at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    From Mayberry to Netflix FAQs

    There are no prerequisites for this course.

    It examines television narratives, genres and the representation of race, gender and class. Students also explore the shift from network television to internet-distributed television.

    Examples include The Wire, Modern Family, Bridgerton, Stranger Things and The Real Housewives. The course primarily focuses on contemporary television while tracing its historical influences.

    Students practice seminar discussion, individual research and undergraduate-level writing. Collaborative and creative projects help develop analytical writing skills.

    Each week focuses on a different television genre and related forms. Students examine how genre boundaries change as television platforms converge.

    Katherine Contess is the instructor listed for Course 10094.

    Alternatives to From Mayberry to Netflix

    Compare these options if your interests extend to digital storytelling, journalism or broader humanities study.

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    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

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    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • From Mayberry to Netflix: Topics in Television Studies, Race, Gender, and Class - Pre-College Course Catalog"

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official course catalog reviewed

    • Course prerequisites checked

    • Instructor listing checked

    • Campus location verified

    • Meeting schedule reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.