PMA 1139 - FWS: Broad Comedy: Funny Women and their Fans

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

First-Year Writing Seminar.

S. Soulstein.

The story of twentieth century American popular culture is in no small part a story of talented comediennes being denied stages, microphones, and cameras. What is so threatening about a funny woman? Who is threatened? In what ways, and in which venues, have comediennes found ways to perform - and who exactly laughs with (or at) them? In this course, we will use various case studies, from medieval commedia dell’arte to silent film star Fay Tincher to Netflix series like Haters Back Off!, to generate a working response to these questions and more. With an emphasis on in-class discussion and peer editing, this course helps students develop the particular skills required to write about popular culture and performance in its various contexts.