Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2018/19 Session


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Module Title LI American Comedy and the Political
SchoolGovernment
Department Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code 08 27836
Module Lead Scott Lucas
Level Intermediate Level
Credits 10
Semester Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites LI America and the Middle East through Politics and Film - (08 27840)
Restrictions None
Exclusions
Description The course, drawing on concepts linking culture to the construction of the political, begins with Marx and Chaplin. It then takes up cases from 1945, beginning with the “containment” culture of apolitical comedy in US television.
The course then traces the negotiation of political issues, and even “subversion”, from stand-up (Bruce, Sahl) to TV programs (Smothers Brothers, Laugh-In) to series (M*A*S*H*).
Topics include Vietnam, race and civil rights, and the response to 9-11 and the War on Terror. Examples range from the stand-up of Richard Pryor to the animation of South Park and Family Guy.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Critically evaluate the place of comedy in the construction and negotiation of “politics” among the public
  • Use theoretical approaches from Cultural Studies, Politics, and International Relations to create an critical approach to Comedy and the Political
  • Link historical cases to contemporary events
Assessment 27836-01 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessments: 2-hour examination (100%)
Reassessment: Re-sit examination (100%)
Other
Reading List