Comedy

Calendar

Session #	Topic/Readings	Notable Dates
1	Introduction: Two (Many?) Sides to Comedy. When we compare comedy to other modes, such as tragedy, horror, or melodrama, it seems easy to define. We will find, however, that comedy is not so simple.
Comic Violence, Violent Comedy
2	Aristophanes, Lysistrata
3	Aristophanes, Lysistrata, continued; Spike Lee, Chi-Raq (2015)
4	Plautus, The Two Manaechmuses
5	Billy Wilder, Some Like It Hot (1959)
6	Research Workshop with MIT Libraries. Be prepared to start your in-class presentation.
7	In-class Writing Workshop. Exchange papers with partner before class.	Essay #1 (1000 words)  Due by midnight.
8	Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew
9	Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew  Clip in Class: from Franco Zeffirelli, The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
Love and Mockery
10	Revision Workshop	Revision (1000 words) Due by midnight.
11	Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
12	Shakespeare, Twelfth Night  Clip in Class: from Trevor Nunn, Twelfth Night (1996)
13	Behn, The Rover
14	Behn, The Rover
15	Austen, Pride and Prejudice
16	Austen, Pride and Prejudice
17	Austen, Pride and Prejudice  Clip in Class: from Robert Z. Leonard, Pride and Prejudice (1940)
18	In-class Workshop	Essay #2 (1500 words) Due by midnight.
19	Melville, Moby-Dick, Chapters 1-23.
Modern Times
20	Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
21	Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest  Clip in Class: from Anthony Asquith, The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)
22	Film: Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times (1936)
23	Bechdel, Fun Home
24	Bechdel, Fun Home
25	Video: Andy Kaufman on HBO; Hannah Gadsby, Three Ideas; Douglas	Reflection(750 words) Due by midnight.
26	Conclusion	Essay #3 (1500 words) Due by midnight.