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