31-3190 History and Analysis of Modern Comedy

Course is an overview of the history of modern comedy from its roots in ancient Greece and Rome to the present day. Through lectures, readings, audio and video recordings, the course will look at comic traditions including Commedia dell’Arte, Shakespearean comedy, Restoration farce, burlesque, clowning, vaudeville, cabaret, slapstick, stand-up, and situation comedy. Special emphasis will be placed on satire and the development of the revue form.

3 Credits
Requisites CONCURRENT: 31-2390 Physical and Vocal Training for Comedy and 31-3290 Acting III: Sketch and Theatrical Comedy and 31-3295 Creating Scenes through Improvisation and

31-2190 Context for Comedy

and 31-3890 Writing Comic Scenes
Requirements Department Permission