COR 3470 Aspects of Laughter
What makes us laugh? In this course we will use insights drawn from many disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology, to find a range of different ideas for why we laugh and what laughter means. We will test the possibilities and limitations of each concept against both our own experiences and against works of art drawn from art history, literature, film, and popular culture. Goals for this course include developing a critical awareness of how and why we laugh, including the social, political, ethical, and interpersonal implications of laughter. Students will see how laughter is a delightful yet controversial thread through the social sciences and the arts and humanities, as they bring together laughter's many aspects.
Prerequisite
Open to students in the third or fourth year of study.
Course Types
Core Integrative Seminar
Notes
This course is writing intensive.