January Experience 2008
HUMOR AND IRONY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Clemente, Caloi, Clarin 2007
 
 
The main goal of this course is to introduce students to the study of humor and irony in Spanish and English. Students will analyze different theories of verbal humor (incongruity theories, Semantic-script Theory of Humor, General Theory of Verbal Humor, among others) and types of irony (situational, dramatic and verbal). They will also recognize how language is important to humor by analyzing the mechanisms of humor in different texts (comics, jokes, narrative jokes, humorous tales, anecdotes, puns, wordplay, etc). The course will be evaluated through exams, group work, homework and individual participation. Lectures, discussions, group activities, and problem-solving exercises will be the main instruction style used in this course.
 
 
 
REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIALS
 
Reading packet.
 
 
MOODLE SITE
 
A copy of the syllabus as well as other associated materials and resources will be available on Moodle. It is your responsibility to consult and verify the course site (http://moodle.gac.edu/).
 
 
COURSE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
 
The main goal of this course is to introduce you to humor and irony in English and Spanish. To this end, you will:
 
  1. discuss what humor is;
  2. analyze and compare different theories of verbal humor;
  3. recognize different types of irony (verbal, dramatic and situational);
  4. recall examples of different types of irony from books, magazines, movies, and TV shows, and share them with the class;
  5. demonstrate an understanding of humor and the use of irony as an instrument of humor;
  6. write an essay on humor and irony.