We will study the history of comedy in the United States from a perspective that is at once aesthetic, cultural, and institutional. Examples of early cinema, slapstick comedy, and musicals will help to examine the role of gag, character, and narrative in both short and feature films. The circulation of jokes, performers, and comic routines across media (film, stage, phonograph, radio) will be a further subject of inquiry. Conducting this class in English will serve to highlight the role of language and verbal humor in comedy. Students will also be able to improve their comprehension and conversational skills in an immersive context.
Duration: 4 days
