TV Series to Watch as A Refreshing Way to Learn About History and Politics

Penulis : Abbiya Nisa Salsabila

TV series is a group of programs created or adapted for television broadcast as a form of entertainment. It is mostly based on fictional scenarios or an adaptation of true events. As a television program, TV series engage audiences on a daily basis which makes it a considered platform to share values and impressions with large numbers of people. Thus, the film produces love to adapt history and political events as a way to give the world a better understanding or a way to picture those phenomena. The reason why TV series can be a refreshing way to learn about something is that it does not only tell things but it is also showing. Moreover, it engages emotions and the sense of being a part of communities. These are the writer’s top 3 recommendations for TV Series to watch to learn about history and politics;
The Crowns — The Crowns is a historical TV series created and principally written by Peter Morgan. It mainly shows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The series started from her wedding in 1947 until the early 12th century. The first season takes place in 1955, with the story focusing on Winston Churchill resigning as prime minister. The following seasons continue chronologically based on the actual events. By watching this TV series, we can learn more about the history and the politics of the royal family, specifically the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the world events during her reign.
Designated Survivor — Designated Survivor is a US political TV series about a named individual in the presidential line of succession, chosen to stay at an undisclosed secure location, away from events such as State of the Union addresses and presidential inaugurations. This TV series is fictional, but it shows how the designated survivor happens and works. The series’ first episode starts with some kind of explosion that occurred at the US State of the Union held at the Capitol, which was attended by all members of the presidency, including the US President, US Vice President, members of Congress, and members of the cabinet, except Tom Kirkman the US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He was then appointed as the designated survivor who would replace the position of US President if something happened that killed the entire presidency. The series shows Tom’s struggle in filling the US President role. By watching this TV series, we can learn about how the presidential system in the US works.
Peaky Blinders — Peaky Blinders is a British TV series about a gangster family set in 1900s England. Unlike the two previous recommendations, it is not specifically a historical or

a political TV series, but this series portrays both of those elements as a part of the story. It shows how the situation in England in the 1900s, every aspect of it like business, politics, social life, and more.
We can watch such TV series to learn more about world history and politics, but we should also keep in mind that TV series are not entirely valid. It is wrapped with fictional elements even when it is based on true events. Thus, TV series cannot be the primary source in the learning process. It should be supported by scientific research or other valid sources.
References
Nærland, Torgeir Uberg. (2019). From pleasure to politics: Five functions of watching TV- series for public connection. European Journal of Communication, 4–6.
Metzger, Scott Alan. (2017). Are movies a good way to learn history?. https://theconversation.com/are-movies-a-good-way-to-learn-history-75976