XIDS 2100 Syllabus

XIDS 2100-04: Arts and Ideas

Laughing Matters: The Social Meanings of Comedy

Dr. Maria Doyle

Spring 2008: MW 3:30-4:45 pm, Pafford 308

Office and Phone: TLC 2-248, 678-839-4853

Email: mdoyle@westga.edu

Office Hours: MW 10:00-12:00, 2:00-3:30 and by appt.

Website: http://www.westga.edu/~mdoyle

Course Description:

When we say that something is "no laughing matter," we mean that it is serious; it has weight and thus takes precedence over the flip and flimsy trivialities of life. Yet jokes are usually directed at someone or something. Thus comedy serves as a potent vehicle for the criticism (and potential reformation) of society. In this sense, laughter--as a corrective, critique or even escape valve--does indeed "matter." Beginning with an outline of basic comic patterns and techniques, this course will go on both to analyze the ways that comedy strives to create an ideal, harmonious society and the methods it uses to attack the problems of the world. Course texts will include drama, fiction, art, television and film, and lectures will explore how each of these disparate genres draws upon similar forms (such as wit, repetition and exaggeration of word, image and action) to achieve various "comic" ends. Thus, this course seeks to make students aware not just of the subjects of comic literature but more importantly of the workings of comedy itself and the various meanings of and stimuli for laughter, some quite serious; students should be prepared to approach the course material with maturity and with a willingness to participate in the process of analysis and investigation.

Students should familiarize themselves with the use of the MyUWG web interface, as materials for this course, including assignments, information on outside arts events and this syllabus, will be posted there. Students should also use their university email accounts to correspond with the professor.

Learning Outcomes and Assignment Goals:

· Students will demonstrate a deeper awareness of the importance of comedy as a tool for the reconstruction and critique of society

· Students will be able to identify and apply various theories and techniques of comedy through discussions of specific texts from a variety of genres.

· Students will further demonstrate their understanding of the techniques and purposes of comedy through their attendance at and assessment of specific outside artistic events

· Students will expand their skills of written expression through a variety of in-class and take-home writing assignments.

Requirements:

(1) Exams: Students will complete periodic quizzes (15%) and a final exam (25%). The best way to study for quizzes and the final exam is to take good notes during discussion. Students should be prepared to define and apply terms and varieties of comic theory as well as discuss specifics from the assigned texts. Quiz dates are listed on the syllabus. No makeup quizzes or exams will be scheduled, and students who arrive late will not be given extra time.

(2) Course Journal (35%): Students will keep an analytical response journal throughout the course; this journal will include responses to discussion material and outside artistic events. Due dates for this assignment are on the syllabus. See “Course Journal Guidelines” for further instructions.

(3) Group Presentation (20%): In groups of 3-4 students, you will prepare a 15-20 minute presentation on a comic text of your choosing; this assignment will have both written and oral components. Further guidelines about the presentation will be distributed in class.

(4) Class Participation (5%): Class participation – your preparation for class meetings and your willingness to contribute to our discussions – is an important component of your grade. Consistent, punctual attendance is the minimum expected of all students, and after four absences, you will lose half a letter grade in this category for each additional class missed. You do not need to explain your absences to me – I understand that sometimes illness, childcare issues, uncooperative automobiles or unforeseen emergencies prevent you from coming to class – but use those allowed days for real emergencies, as I will not differentiate between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. Doing well in class participation means more than just coming to class. Students are further expected to have read the material carefully before class meetings, to listen attentively both to the instructor and to the comments other students make during discussions, to ask questions and offer ideas about the material and to respond thoughtfully to ideas presented both by the instructor and the other students.

I do not give ‘makeup’ assignments, and unless an exceptional opportunity arises that is directly related to the course material, I do not offer ‘extra credit’ opportunities: you will all be assessed by the same methods on the same assignments. If you find that you are having trouble with the course material, adjust your study schedule, come to my office hours or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get help with your writing.

Special Needs: If you have a registered disability that will require accommodation, please see me at the beginning of the semester; I will be happy to discuss your situation. If you have a disability that you have not yet registered through the Disabled Student Services Office, please contact Dr. Ann Phillips in Student Development (678-839-6428).

All students should print out and sign the course policy sheet (click here). This sheet contains information about deadlines, the course late policy, paper format and a statement regarding academic honesty. Signed sheets are due by Jan. 16.

Schedule of Readings:

Students should have completed the portion of the text assigned by the dates below. Students will be expected to watch the films assigned for this course prior to the first day of class discussion on the film.

Introduction

W 1/9 What is comedy and why does it matter?

The Rules of the Game, The Rules of the World

M 1/14 Comic Patterning: "Who's on First?"

W 1/16 William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Acts 1-2)

Course policy sheets due

Romantic Comedy: Fantasy Worlds and Miscommunications

M 1/21 MLK Day: No classes

W 1/23 A Midsummer Night's Dream (Acts 3-4)

The Comic Meanings of Marriage

M 1/28 A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 5)

Quiz 1

W 1/30 Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest (Acts 1-2)

Closure and Complication

M 2/4 The Importance of Being Earnest (Act 3)

W 2/6 Rob Reiner, dir., When Harry Met Sally

Variations on Comic Harmony

M 2/11 When Harry Met Sally

W 2/13 Norman Rockwell Art Selections

Course Journals: Part 1 due

Comedy of Death and Life: Balancing Harmonies

M 2/18 Marc Chagall Art Selections

W 2/20 Kirk Jones, dir., Waking Ned Devine

Coming Together, Coming Apart

M 2/25 Waking Ned Devine

Quiz 2

W 2/27 Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, dir., Little Miss Sunshine

Refashioning the Comic World

M 3/3 Little Miss Sunshine

Last day to withdraw with a 'W'

W 3/5 Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal"

Licensed Fools and Contemporary Satire

M 3/10 Court Jesters and Clowns

W 3/12 The Daily Show

Course Journals: Pt. 2 due

M 3/17 Spring Recess: No classes

W 3/19 Spring Recess: No classes

Using Comedy to Cope with Disaster

M 3/24 Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse Five (Ch. 1-3)

W 3/26 Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse Five (Ch. 4-7)

Comedy and Disaster, Continued

M 3/31 Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse Five (Ch. 8-10)

Quiz 3

W 4/2 Honors Day: No classes

Comedy and Social Comment: Image and Reality

M 4/7 David Sedaris, "The Santaland Diaries" (in Holidays on Ice)

W 4/9 Jason Reitman, dir., Thank You for Smoking

Comedy and Social Comment, Continued

M 4/14 Thank You for Smoking

Course Journals: Part 3 due

W 4/16 Presentations

M 4/21 Presentations

W 4/23 Presentations

M 4/28 Presentations

W 4/30 Review session