GREAT COMEDIES FOR THEATRE (5 discussion boards) Requires extra attention.
These discussion boards will require outside research and reading from the material in class. I will provide the readings and other materials.
I will post two weekly discussion boards. The first will be due Wednesday of the week andthe second one will be due on Sunday. You are required to respond to a student and follow instructions.
The first discussion board is due this Sunday but I need it by Saturday. It will require you to find 3 short youtube clips. – –
Read the following:
Introduction: 1.1 Humour or Laughter? (page 9 – end of chapter);
Chapter 2. The Origins and Evolution of Humour: 2.2 The Benefits of Humour (page 14 – 16);
Chapter 3. The Earliest Philosophies of Humour; 3.2 Aristotle (page 26-28);
Chapter 4. Superiority Theories of Humour (pages 33-48);
Chapter 5. Incongruity Theory (pages 49 – 63) and Chapter 6. Relief Theories (pages 64 -76)
For this discussion, each student will select and embed three short clips from a film, play, or television show that illustrates each of the three theories of comedy covered in the reading, The Philosophy of Humour by Paul McDonald. Remember the film you choose for your favorite comedy in our first “Curtain Up” discussion? The clips can be from the same film/play/tv show or from other examples. Youtube is an excellent place to find short clips from your favorite comedies.
Learning Objectives
1) Discuss and apply the three theories of comedy in both writing and performance.
2) Use the language of comedy learned in Module One in your response.
3) Reply to at least two peers with insightful feedback and note the areas you understand from their post and those that are not clear.
Instructions
Your Post
**** Part One
IMPORTANT: WATCH THE VIDEO LINK BELOW BEFORE ANSWERING PART 1 AND READ CHAPTER 4 (PG 41 AND 42) IN FILES AND OTHER REQUIRED READINGS IN FILES.
Video link: https://youtu.be/ooUqOwh-2LE
Introduction: What about “Charlie Todd: The shared experience of absurdity” made you laugh and why? Did you feel the experiences of the different “audiences” for each of his improv/flash mob performances? How did this fulfill Bergson’s repetition , inversion , and reciprocal interference? (75 words) CHAPTER 4 (PG 41 AND 42)
***** Part Two
IMPORTANT: For Part two you will need to provide me with the links of the 3 clips you chose with the information on the bottom.
Each of the three clips you select should be identified by the following
1) the title of the film, play, television show
2) the context to the scene
3) why the clip shows evidence of superiority theory, incongruity theory, or relief theory (100 words for each theory) Chapter 4. Superiority Theories of Humour (pages 33-48); Chapter 5. Incongruity Theory (pages 49 – 63) and Chapter 6. Relief Theories (pages 64 -76)
******* Reply to Peers (LAST PART AFTER YOU PROVIDE MY DISCUSSION BOARD REPLY)
Read the post.
Watch each clip.
Plan a reply. (100 words total)
Post the reply.
Each response should include something you learned about comedy from your fellow student’s post. If you disagree with the post, you may acknowledge that but be sure to give thoughtful and supportive comments as to WHY you think so.
