Comparative Literature 105: The Development of Literary Humor
This course examines literary humor as expressed in myth, folktale, satire, comedy, and other literary forms from ancient times to the present, in an international and multicultural context.
What will I learn in this course?
In this course, you will read a selection of great works of literature from around the globe that have been selected for their humorous content. At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:
- Understand the principles and "laws" of humor and laughter.
- Appreciate the development of literary techniques of humor through the ages
- Recognize the differences and similarities between humorous plots and situations that we see everyday, and those of other ages and cultures
- Develop both critical and imaginative thinking and effective writing on the basis of great literature.
This course meets the General Education Humanities (GH) requirements, the International Cultures (IL) requirements, and the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. See your advisor if you have questions about how this course can be used in your program of study.
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
There are no specific classes that you must take before taking Comparative Literature 105. This course is completely online. To take this course you should feel comfortable navigating on the Internet. You must also be a motivated, organized student who feels confident about reading to learn and who is comfortable working independently.
I've never taken an online course before. What is it like?
By taking an online course, you can learn beyond the traditional borders of the classroom, and as part of a wider and more diverse audience. There are no preset meeting times, so this class will help those who are struggling with scheduling issues. We'll use Penn State's ANGEL system for CMLIT 105, and a combination of texts, online notes, Web links, video, audio, and images as our class "lectures." You will be able to communicate with the professor and your classmates through chat, e-mail, and threaded discussions within ANGEL.
An online course, however, is not easier than a traditional resident course! In fact, it takes a lot more self-discipline. You must be willing and able to commit the same amount of time as you would for attending class and studying for a traditional course. This means allowing an average of at least six hours per week for CMLIT 105. If you're wondering whether an online course is right for you, take this short survey to find out more about how online learning is different.
What are the technological requirements for this course?
This course is designed to work within the ANGEL technological requirements.
How is the course structured?
CMLIT 105 has four units. The course includes 18 online quizzes covering basic details from the readings and lessons. There are two mini essays combining analysis with a creative response to the texts, as well as a final project. Other assignments include "Judge Judy''--a chance to pretend to prosecute, defend and judge the trial of a literary character or author--debates and "Laugh Graphs".
Where can I get more information?
For more information about CMLIT105 Online, see a recent course syllabus. To register, visit the Office of the University Registrar. At the beginning of each semester, all enrolled students should access CMLIT 105 at the site of Penn State's course management system, ANGEL.
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
"Laughter rises out of tragedy, when you need it the most, and rewards you for your courage."
Erma Bombeck
What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.
Yiddish Proverb
"Satire lies about literary men while they live and eulogy lies about them when they die."
And unextinguish'd laughter shakes the skies.
The Illiad
"Humour is also a way of saying something serious."