Research Catalog

Title

Evolution on British television and radio : transmissions and transmutations / Alexander Hall.

Author

Hall, Alexander

Publication

Cham : Palgrave Macmillan, an imprint of Springer Nature Switzerland AG, [2021]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xv, 281 pages : illustrations (some colour); 22 cm.

Summary

This book charts the history of how biological evolution has been depicted on British television and radio, from the first radio broadcast on evolution in 1925 through to the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwins Origin of the Species in 2009. Going beyond science documentaries, the chapters deal with a broad range of broadcasting content to explore evolutionary themes in radio dramas, educational content, and science fiction shows like Doctor Who. The book makes the case that the dominant use in science broadcasting of the evolutionary epic, a narrative based on a progressive vision of scientific endeavour, is part of the wider development of a standardised way of speaking about science in society during the 20th century. In covering the diverse range of approaches to depicting evolution used in British productions, the book demonstrates how their success had a global influence on the genres and formats of science broadcasting used today. Alexander Hall is a historian of science and Research Fellow in the Institute for STEMM in Society and Culture at the University of Birmingham, UK. His work examines the intersections between science and the media, exploring the narrative and visual forms of science communication to better understand sciences role in society.

Series Statement

Palgrave studies in science and popular culture

Uniform Title

Palgrave studies in science and popular culture.

Subject

• Evolution on television
• Evolution on radio
• Television broadcasting > Great Britain > History
• Radio broadcasting > Great Britain > History
• Radio broadcasting
• Television broadcasting
• Great Britain

Genre/Form

History.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

1. Introduction: surveying the airwaves -- 2. Situating the Story : the early years of evolution on the wireless -- 3. Evolving the content for the small-screen, from radio to early television formats -- 4. The most malleable of minds : evolution in educational broadcasting -- 5. Imagining evolution : drama and science fiction -- 6. Humanist Blockbusters : depicting the evolutionary epic on television -- 7. Creationism and non-Darwinian ideology in British broadcasting -- 8. Remembering or deifying? The Darwin anniversaries of 1959 and 2009 -- 9. Conclusion.

Call Number

MWGK (Great Britain) 22-260

ISBN

• 9783030830427
• 303083042X

OCLC

1264403349

Author

Hall, Alexander, author.

Title

Evolution on British television and radio : transmissions and transmutations / Alexander Hall.

Publisher

Cham : Palgrave Macmillan, an imprint of Springer Nature Switzerland AG, [2021]

Type of Content

text

still image

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Palgrave studies in science and popular culture

Palgrave studies in science and popular culture.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Form:

ebook version : 9783030830434

Research Call Number

MWGK (Great Britain) 22-260