Instruction
A. RESEARCH PAPER.
Write an 4 page research paper on a comedy film or show of your choosing. Papers should be thesis-driven, they should incorporate at least three outside sources, and topics will need to be cleared with me in advance. Topics to consider (you can focus on one of these, or combine them):
• The sources and nature of humor. How is your film or show funny? What are the jokes, gags, or sources of humor in your film or show?
• Politics. How is your film or show political? What political ideology does it support? Do you agree or disagree? Is this a form of speaking truth to power, or is this a kind of comedy that supports the status quo?
• Gender. How is your film or show gendered? Who are the funny characters – are they male or female? How is femininity and/or masculinity constructed by your film or show? Is gender a stable category, or something worth critiquing?
No matter what your topic is, your paper should focus on describing (what is humorous, political, or gendered) with as much detail as you can, and also explaining and analyzing why this is funny (or political, or gendered in a certain way). Draw upon course readings and/or outside readings to help explain your answer. I am looking for writing that is detailed, thorough, thoughtful, and original.