UNIV 104TDemocracy Inaction: TV Satire

Catalog

DEMOCRACY INACTION: TV SATIRE - - - The UNIV 101 & UNIV 104 courses offer a blended course format which includes two primary components, one focusing on the academic topic, taught by a faculty member with the second component devoted to new student transition topics, taught by a professional staff partner instructor. This freshmen seminar course will explore an intriguing intellectual topic, help freshmen hone critical thinking and writing skills, and assist students in making a successful transition to university life. - - - Head spinning from the furiously infuriating speed of the latest outrages in the daily news cycle? Congress is up for grabs again and New York has to choose a governor, so there will be plenty to laugh (cry?!) about with the 2026 midterm elections. Searing wit and unrelenting mockery employed in perceptive socio-political critique can arouse deep understanding, cheap laughs, or both-maybe neither. Satirical humorists in ancient fifth-century BCE Athens- such as the comedian Aristophanes- and contemporary America- Jon Stewart and other Daily Show comedians, SNL's latest poke at American life, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver-touch the rawest of nerves to fortify, rectify, or undermine societal norms. Through weekly readings, discussions, viewings, composition, and performance of satire from ancient Athens to, literally, present-day America, students and instructor will investigate social thinking, persuasion, and humor in these two representative democracies battling systemic crises, civic breakdown, cynicism, voter suppression, war, and demagoguery. You'll learn, laugh, and learn to make others laugh, even when we're all probably crying inside wondering how we got here and where the nearest exit is located. NOTE: All UNIV 101 and UNIV 104 courses are restricted to students in their FIRST SEMESTER at the University. Students MAY NOT register for more than one UNIV 101 or UNIV 104 course. Additionally, this section is restricted to students in the Newing Community.