CLS 173 CDA The Comic Spirit (Aesthetics Category)

Syllabus

Description This course is a critical exploration of the nature, forms, and theatrical production of Comedy. Reading and analysis of selected plays by Aristophanes, Plautus, and Terence will offer insights into the origins of comedy, comic themes, techniques, and characters still alive in modern comedy. In search of a definition of comedy, criticism from Aristotle to Freud will be measured against reading, performance, and experience.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes: at the conclusion of the course students will demonstrate--

1. increased knowledge of the cultures of Greece and Rome, showing --
   • appreciation of the contributions of those cultures to the genre of comedy
   • insight into ancient society as reflected in comedy, particularly class and gender
   • familiarity with the ancient forms of comic drama, conventions and performance
2. understanding of comedy as distinctive aesthetic expression in literature and the theater
3. appreciation for the different themes and styles of Aristophanes, Plautus, and Terence
4. ability to use library and internet resources, individually and collaboratively, to research the ancient world
5. familiarity with the major theories of comedy
6. development of the imagination through comic performance

Methods of Instruction:

• Discussion in class and on the Internet of assigned plays, essays, and student texts
• Slide presentations and lecture on the origins and development of Greek and Roman comedy, the ancient theater, and dramatic conventions
• Critical viewing and performance of ancient and modern comedy
• Writing projects, reports, computer workshops, performances
• Use of Angel for assignments and collaboration

Materials of Instruction:

• For this class, using a 3-ring binder with pocket folders will make it possible for you to keep organized your class notes, hand-outs, and graded assignments which must be kept for submission in your Comedy Portfolio.
• Purchase the following required three texts in paperback at the bookstore ( in order for us all to be “on the same page” during class discussion, it is preferable that you use these editions):

1. Aristophanes. Four Plays: Clouds, Birds, Lysistrata, Frogs, translated by William Arrowsmith (New American Library)
2. Plautus. Four Comedies: Braggart Soldier, Menaechmi, Haunted House, Pot of Gold, translated by Erich Segal (Oxford)
3. Terence. The Comedies, translated by Betty Radice (Penguin)

• Xeroxed materials (visuals, essays, articles, outlines, bibliographies, and reading guides), videos, slides
• Angel: Course Management System for electronic discussion: each student will be enrolled as a member and be able to log on, access materials, and communicate
• On-line electronic resources on the classical world, such as Perseus and VRoma; Women's Roles in Plautine Comedy

Requirements: Students are expected to--

• attend all classes and workshops with their course materials, arriving promptly and remaining to the end of class. (all Objectives)
• read and reflect critically on assigned texts and contribute thoughtfully to discussions (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• submit all assignments on time and in full: oral presentations must meet the given guidelines; written work must respond to instructions and conform to standards for formal writing (see your writing manual or the CNR Student Handbook), be typed, word-processed, or handwritten clearly (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4)
• take 2 semester quizzes, scheduled below (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• attend 2 special events and complete the associated assignments: (Objectives 1, 2, 6)
  
  • video screening of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
  • attendance at a live performance of a comedy, e.g., Nathan Lane's The Frogs (at Lincoln Center until October 10), the National Theater of Greece'sLysistrata (at City Center, October 6-10), and Mel Brooks'The Producers are in Manhattan; CNR Drama is offering You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown)
• collaborate on and present two group projects: (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 6)
  • Project I: creation of a comic scene between ancient comic stereotypes, in the manner of ancient comedy, using original dialogue from ancient plays
  • Final Project: performance of a comic scene adapted from an assigned ancient comedy
• submit your Comedy Portfolio, which consists of your individual collection of comic materials (visuals, essays, articles, etc.), the semester’s graded and revised comedy assignments (a checklist will be supplied), and your final reflections on ancient and modern comedy (all Objectives)

Grading:

Your grade will be based on the quality of your work (see below *) as follows:

• Class participation and completion of all assignments ** 30%
  
• 2 unit quizzes*** 30%
  
• 2 group projects 30%
  
• Comedy Portfolio 10%
  

* Students found cheating or plagiarizing will fail the course, as will those who do not complete all course requirements
**those with more than four unexcused absences will find their grade lowered in this category
*** make-ups will be arranged only for students who have medical or other serious excuses

Course Policies:
Attendance and promptness are required: students with more than four unexcused absences will find their grade lowered in this category; four latenesses will be considered one unexcused absence. Appropriate class behavior is expected. Un-excused late assignments will not be accepted. Those who are absent or late are responsible for obtaining assignments, notes, announcements, and hand-outs.
Make-ups will be arranged only for students who have medical or other serious excuses, both of which must be reported through proper channels. Students with documented special needs must inform the instructor at the beginning of the course of accommodations or services they require for successful academic participation.

Weeks 1 and 2:
September 8: Discussion and Adoption of the Syllabus
September 10, 15, 17: Introduction to the Topic, the Questions, the Course Methods
Reflecting on and sampling the wide range of comedy in contemporary culture and your own experience of comedy, we will attempt to answer such questions as: Why do we laugh? What do we laugh at? Does laughter define comedy? Have you got a sense of humor? Are you a creator or consumer of comedy? Is comedy universal and timeless or is it culture -gender -experience -specific? Where did comedy originate? What does comedy tell us about the culture from which it arises? What is comedy’s function? What is its relation to tragedy? Does comedy happen or is it constructed? Who are the people of comedy? What is the dress of comedy? What are the actions of comedy? Does comedy have its own language and methods? Where and when does comedy take place?

Weeks 3-5: September 24-October 8: Civic and Literary Satire, Ancient and Modern
Reading, discussion, writing assignment connected with the Nathan Lane performance of Aristophanes' Frogs

Weeks 6-8: October 15 -29: Domestic Comedy of Plautus and Terence

• Family: The Brothers Menaechmus (Plautus), The Mother-in-Law (Terence)
• Romance: The Girl from Andros (Terence), The Eunuch (Terence)

October 15-20: Reading and Discussion of Plautus' The Brothers Menaechmus and about farce as a category of comedy.
October 20:Computer Workshop (MC 314): introduction to on-line resources for the ancient world and to working on a project in a group
October 29: Quiz 1

Weeks 9 - 14: November 3 - December 1: Comic Heroes

• Aristophanes, Lysistrata: screening of Lysistrata in Greek (see The Lysistrata Project for a serious use of ancient comedy)
• Plautus, The Haunted House (Mostellaria), The Braggart Soldier (Miles Gloriosus): screening of and writing assignment on A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• Terence, Phormio

November 10: Presentation of Project 1 and Peer Rating

November 19: Viewing of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

November 24: Submission of Quiz 2: Take-Home Exam on Funny Thing....

Weeks 13 - 14: December 1-17: Final Assessments

• December 15: Closing Conversations:
  Greek, Roman and Modern Comedy, Comics and Playwrights, Ancient and Modern Theater and Performance, Post-Class Survey, Course Evaluation.
• December 17: Project Presentations:
  Performances in Library Cafe of an adapted scene from an ancient comedy by 3 troupes

Monday, December 20: Final Project Worksheets and Comedy Portfolios due in Castle 325 by noon