The purpose of this module is to demonstrate the cultural importance of comedy. On the surface comedy might simply make us laugh but it is also an important channel of social analysis. From its practices in ancient Greece to its presence in modern society, this module will give an overview of the many forms comedy has taken throughout history and its ability to analyse issues ranging from gender to politics. The module will also consider the audience relationship with comedy and whether or not it encourages them to think more about issues or simply contributes to increasing apathy towards political and social issues.

·       Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different platforms and genres of comedy and its development through history.

·       Demonstrate a critical awareness of comedy as a form of social and political critique.

·       Demonstrate awareness of the impact comedy has on audiences and the key arguments surrounding this

·       Demonstrate the ability to extract information from relevant sources and then analyse and evaluate it

·       Demonstrate the ability to use information from class and independent reading to construct an academically sound argument  

The course is delivered over nine weeks through a mixture of lectures, discussions/seminars and workshops. These sessions will include lectures featuring video and other visual aids as well as in-class discussions and group activities to develop your knowledge and academic skills in this area. There will also be a strong emphasis on learning outside the class room that will be facilitated by class hand-outs to read, suggested comedy viewing and online materials through Learning Central.

• The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively, whether in class discussion or in written form.
• The ability to work effectively with others in groups and to learn collaboratively through discussion and interaction.
• The ability to think critically, analyse sources, evaluate arguments and challenge assumptions.
• The ability to formulate and justify your own arguments and conclusions and present appropriate supporting evidence.
• The ability to locate relevant resources in the library and online and use them appropriately in academic work.
• The ability to use a range of information technology resources to assist with information retrieval and assignment presentation.
• The ability to independently organise study methods, manage time effectively, and prioritise workload to meet deadlines.

1)    Comedy History

This session will explore the changing faces and platforms of comedy from early Greek satire to controversial shows like South Park

2)    How to Study Comedy & Satire

This session will explore the key debates and academic theories surrounding the cultural impact of comedy. 

3)    The Cultural Significance of Fake News. Part 1.

This session will look closely at the rise of fake news programmes like The Daily Show and the impact they are having on how we interpret the media and political world

4)    The Cultural Significance of Fake News. Part 2.

This session will continue to explore the significance of fake news and how its increasingly popularity has led to other platforms of political engagement with its audience

5)    Ironic Activism

This session will look at comedy’s role in political and social activism and how it’s becoming a popular vehicle for collective action

6)    Satire & Spin

This session will demonstrate how comedy platforms are able to expose the working practices of political public relations

7)    Comedy & Class

This session will explore the representation of class through comedy and how this contributes to different debates on social hierarchies  

8)    Comedy & the Representation of Race & Gender

Comedy has been used to draw attention to many of the debates surrounding race and gender.  This session will explore these representations and whether comedy has reinforced or challenged these perceptions.

9)    What about the audience?

Central to the successful decoding of comedy is the role of the audience.  This session will look at the relationship between audiences and comedy and whether it encourages them to think critically about political and social issues.

Essential Reading:

Baym, G. (2010) From Cronkite to Colbert: The Evolution of Broadcast News. USA: Paradigm Publishers. Chapter 6.

Bremmer J. Roodenburg, H. (1997) A Cultural History of Humour. From Antiquity to the Present Day. Cambridge: Polity.

Casey, B. (2008) Television Studies: The Key Concepts. London: Routledge.

Caufield. R, P. (2008) ‘The Influence of “Infoenterpropagainment”. Exploring the Power of Political Satire as a Distinct Form of Political Humour’. In J. C. Baumgartner & J. S. Morris (Ed) Laughing Matters: Humour and American Politics in the Media Age. London: Routledge 

Day, A. (2011) Satire & Dissent Interventions in Contemporary Political Debate. Indiana: Indiana University Press.

Malik, S (2002) Representing Black Britain: Black and Asian Images on Television. Chapter 5. London: SAGE

Recommended Reading

Morreale, J. (2003) Critiquing the Sitcom: A reader. New York: Syracuse University Press.

Lockyer, S. (2010) ReadingLittle Britain: Comedy matters on contemporary television. New York: I.B. Tauris.

Wilmut, R. and Rosengard, P. (1989) Didn't You Kill my Mother-in-Law?: The story of alternative comedy in Britain from the Comedy Store to Saturday Live. London: Methuen.

Billig, M. (2005) Laughter and Ridicule: Towards a Social Critique of Humour. London: Sage.

Medihurst, A. (2007) A National Joke: Popular comedy and English cultural identities. London : Routledge.

Coleman, R. (2000) African American Viewers and the Black Situation Comedy. New York: Garland.

Dines, G, and Humez, J.M. (eds.) (1995) Gender, Race and Class in Media: A Text-Reader. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Dagnes, A. (2012) A Conservative Walks Into a Bar: The politics of political humor. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Hamamoto, D.Y. (1989) Nervous Laughter: Television Situation Comedy and Liberal Democratic Ideology. New York: Praeger.

Irwin, W., Conard, M.T., and Skoble, A.J. (eds.) (2001) The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer. Chicago and La Salle: Open Court.

Jhally, S. and Lewis, J. (1992) Enlightened Racism: ‘The Cosby Show’, Audiences, and the Myth of the American Dream. Boulder: Westview Press.

King, G. (2002) Film Comedy. London: Wallflower Press.

Krutnik, F. (ed) (2003) Hollywood Comedians: the Film Reader. London: Routledge.

Lockyer, S. and Pickering, M. (eds) (2005) Beyond a Joke: The Limits of Humour. Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Salmi, H. (2011) Historical Comedy on Screen: Subverting history with humour. Bristol: Intellect.

Bore, I.K. (2009) The Cultural World of TV Comedy Audiences: Gender, nationality and humour. PhD Thesis.

Marc, D. (1997) Comic Visions: Television Comedy and American Culture. London: Unwin Hyman.

Mills, B. (2005) Television Sitcom. London: British Film Institute.

Palmer, J. (1987) The Logic of the Absurd: On Film and Television Comedy. London: British Film Institute.

Palmer, J. (1994) Taking Humour Seriously. London: British Film Institute.