Difference between revisions of "BUI301 Funny Story"
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#The course will introduce students to various makers of humorous stories. | #The course will introduce students to various makers of humorous stories. | ||
| − | == Course | + | == Course assignments == |
===A (mostly) visual analysis=== | ===A (mostly) visual analysis=== | ||
Each student will analyze the visual humor in a short film by [[w:Buster Keaton|Buster Keaton]]. | Each student will analyze the visual humor in a short film by [[w:Buster Keaton|Buster Keaton]]. | ||
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#Learn basic Wikipedia editing and create a Wikipedia-style article for your short on Screenpedia. (The best articles will be uploaded to Wikipedia.) | #Learn basic Wikipedia editing and create a Wikipedia-style article for your short on Screenpedia. (The best articles will be uploaded to Wikipedia.) | ||
#Learn how to make screenshots (probably with [https://www.videolan.org/ VLC Media Player]) and capture at least one from ''every'' shot in the short. | #Learn how to make screenshots (probably with [https://www.videolan.org/ VLC Media Player]) and capture at least one from ''every'' shot in the short. | ||
| − | #*Submit your screenshots. | + | #*Submit your screenshots. Due in class Tuesday, 9/20. |
#*Select a short segment (minimum 5 minutes) and identify comic moments in it. | #*Select a short segment (minimum 5 minutes) and identify comic moments in it. | ||
#**Use the theories of humor we discussed to explain ''why'' they are comic. | #**Use the theories of humor we discussed to explain ''why'' they are comic. | ||
| + | #**Submit ''in print'' in class Tuesday, 10/4. | ||
===A (mostly) verbal analysis=== | ===A (mostly) verbal analysis=== | ||
| Line 24: | Line 25: | ||
#Discussion of ''specific'' examples of theories of humor: superiority, relief/release, and incongruity | #Discussion 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 | #*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 | + | #*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). | ||
| + | #*Collect your findings into a 1,500-word essay and submit it via Blackboard/TurnItIn. Due Tuesday, 11/18, 11:59 p.m. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===A comic performance=== | ||
| + | Each student will create a short comic performance to be presented during the final exam period, Wednesday, 12/7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Performances could be: | ||
| + | <?-- MadLibs --> | ||
| + | #Screenplay (perform as a table read) for ''a single scene''. It can be a spec script for an existing TV comedy, fan fiction, or an original work. | ||
| + | #Narrative video (maximum 5 minutes) or PowerPoint slide show. | ||
| + | #Narrative song (can be a parody or take-off). | ||
| + | #Funny story (a la stand-up comedy; maximum 200 words). | ||
| + | #Two contributors notes (a la Michael Martone's work). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Two students may work on the screenplay or video together. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''If you have public-speaking anxiety, consult with Dr. Butler for an alternative way to submit your work.''' | ||
== Online study guides == | == Online study guides == | ||
Revision as of 15:39, 6 September 2022
Blount 301 Funny Story is a seminar taught in the Blount Scholars Program by Jeremy Butler, professor emeritus of television and film, the University of Alabama, during the fall 2022 semester.
Course objectives
- The course will present analytical methods for understanding how humor functions in film, television, and other media.
- The course will discuss theories of humor.
- The course will introduce students to various makers of humorous stories.
Course assignments
A (mostly) visual analysis
Each student will analyze the visual humor in a short film by Buster Keaton.
- You will be assigned a short
- Learn basic Wikipedia editing and create a Wikipedia-style article for your short on Screenpedia. (The best articles will be uploaded to Wikipedia.)
- Learn how to make screenshots (probably with VLC Media Player) and capture at least one from every shot in the short.
- Submit your screenshots. Due in class Tuesday, 9/20.
- Select a short segment (minimum 5 minutes) and identify comic moments in it.
- Use the theories of humor we discussed to explain why they are comic.
- Submit in print in class Tuesday, 10/4.
A (mostly) verbal analysis
Each student will select a half-hour TV comedy and analyze its use of humor. Elements of the analysis include:
- Recaps (short summaries of the plots) of episodes (posted to Blackboard)
- Identification of the show's narrative problematic.
- Discuss how it plays out in two specific episodes (using the recaps for reference)
- Discussion 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).
- Collect your findings into a 1,500-word essay and submit it via Blackboard/TurnItIn. Due Tuesday, 11/18, 11:59 p.m.
A comic performance
Each student will create a short comic performance to be presented during the final exam period, Wednesday, 12/7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Performances could be: <?-- MadLibs -->
- Screenplay (perform as a table read) for a single scene. It can be a spec script for an existing TV comedy, fan fiction, or an original work.
- Narrative video (maximum 5 minutes) or PowerPoint slide show.
- Narrative song (can be a parody or take-off).
- Funny story (a la stand-up comedy; maximum 200 words).
- Two contributors notes (a la Michael Martone's work).
Two students may work on the screenplay or video together.
If you have public-speaking anxiety, consult with Dr. Butler for an alternative way to submit your work.
Online study guides
Chronological order
List of discussion notes
Study groups
Group A:
- Architha Bommena
- Anna Gardner Herren
- Ava Sweeney
Group B:
- Daisy Hudson
- Josh Mellott
- Kate Paras
Group C:
- Alex Landgraf
- Logan Busbee
- Marguerite Sprain
Group D:
- Mary Elizabeth Martin
- Sam Sompayrac
- Zachary Foley
Texts & resources
Books
- Noël Carroll, Humour: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014).
