American Political Humor

Catalog description

This course will examine the role of political humor and satire in American politics and how political humor, comedy and satire shape public opinion and political outcomes. Students will analyze historical and contemporary examples of humor, comedy and satire and the impact of these forms of political communication on politics and society. Students will examine how political humor has changed over time, the different forms it has taken, and the different purposes that it has served. Students will also discuss the limits of political humor as a vehicle for social and political change and critically evaluate arguments about political humor and free speech, civility and power in modern society. Individually and in small-groups, students will develop and present humorous and satirical content of their own that speaks to historical or contemporary political or social issues. Course Attributes: Oral Communication Flag College of Arts & Sciences Political Science