A (mostly) verbal analysis

Each student will select a half-hour TV comedy and analyze its use of humor. Elements of the analysis include:

1. Recaps (short summaries of the plots) of five episodes.
   • Post to your Blackboard journal. Due each week, starting October 11th.
2. Oral presentation and written analysis of your sitcom.
   1. Identify the show's narrative problematic.
      • Discuss how it plays out in two specific episodes (using the recaps for reference).
   2. Discuss of specific examples of theories of humor: superiority, relief/release, and incongruity.
      • Explain the theories of humor first and then provide at least two examples for each theory.
      • Use the analysis of Modern Family in The Sitcom as a model for analysis.
   • Present your findings to the class during the week before Thanksgiving (11/15 and 11/17).
     • Groups A & B on November 15th, Groups C & D on November 17th.
   • Collect your findings into a 1,500-word essay and submit it via Blackboard/TurnItIn. Due Friday, 11/18, 11:59 p.m.
   • Worth 45 points.