Course Syllabus
What’s So Funny? |
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| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2025 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Humanities, Communication, Rhetoric |
| Prerequisite(s): |
None |
| Faculty Members: |
Dennis Meyhoff Brink and Brian Graham, current students contact through Canvas Inbox |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays and Fridays, 13.15-14.35 in classroom ST6-Anneks C |
Description of Course:
Satirical news, stand up comedy, funny films, and ironic novels invites us to laugh at political leaders, religious authorities, cultural icons, our enemies, or ourselves. On the one hand, laughter has the ability to knock authorities off their pedestals and encourage a less obedient and more critical attitude towards power, which is why authorities have feared and banned satires for centuries. On the other hand, laughter can also offend, marginalize, and stir controversy and violence.
With a special focus on similarities and differences between satire produced in Europe and the U.S., we will investigate how satire and comedy can reflect cultural norms, open new perspectives, challenge common sense, offend authorities, stigmatize groups, and empower others. We will analyze a number of historical and contemporary works of comedy and satire produced in Europe and compare them to American productions.
In order to fully understand the techniques of comical/satirical discourse, we will also produce a number of works ourselves in the form of satirical news articles, short films etc. The course thus combines a historical and theoretical examination of comedy and satire with a practical understanding of how to use comical/satirical means to evoke laughter or provoke indignation in an audience.
The course requires no previous knowledge or interest in comedy and satire just as you do not have to be the least bit funny to be in this class. However, you might be in danger of enjoying yourself during class.
Learning Objectives:
- You will gain a stronger knowledge of the theory, history, and cultural impact of comical and satirical discourse, especially in Europe.
- You will gain a deeper understanding of how comedy and satire may reflect, challenge, or shape cultural norms, values and attitudes.
- You will get a deeper understanding of the ambiguities of comical and satirical discourse and the complexities of interpreting it.
- You will learn how to produce your own comical or satirical texts and films.
Faculty:
Dennis Meyhoff Brink completed his PhD in Cultural Studies at the University of Copenhagen. His research investigates the history of satire and censorship in Europe from the Renaissance until today. He has taught at University of Copenhagen since 2006 and at DIS since 2016. He is also a critic at the newspaper Weekenavisen, a former playwright of satirical plays at the theater Sort-Hvid, a former curator of exhibitions on satire and censorship at the museum Storm, a former writer at the satirical magazine Spot, and an expert used by various media.
Brian Russell Graham completed his PhD in English Literature at University of Glasgow. His second and third monographs – On a Common Culture and Speech Acts in Blake’s ‘Milton’ – were published in 2022. His latest book is A Casebook Edition of 'The Diabolic Tragedy' (2025).
Readings (available online or on Canvas):
- Fredric Bogel: Excerpts from The difference satire makes. Rhetoric and reading from Johnson to Byron. Cornell University Press 2001.
- Charb (Stéphane Charbonnier): "Freedom of speech and the butterfly effect" and "Islamophobia is the new racism" in Open Letter. Little Brown & Co. 2016.
- Robert Elliot: “The Satirist and Society” in The Power of Satire. Magic, Ritual, Art. Princeton University Press 1960.
- Michel Foucault: "Subject and Power" in Critical Inquiry, vol. 8, nr. 4 (1982)
- Jonathan Greenberg: "What is satire?" and "What isn't satire?" in Cambridge introduction to satire. Cambridge University Press 2018.
- Robert Goldstein: “The Fear of Caricature and the Censorship Mechanics” in Goldstein: Censorship of Political Caricature in Nineteenth-Century France. Kent State University Press 1989.
- Immanuel Kant: "Answering the question: What is Enlightenment?" (1784).
- Halime Oguz: "No, you are the ones who drew those drawings" in Berlingske Tidende 06.10.2015
- Flemming Rose: "Freedom of Speech" in Jyllands-Posten 30.09.2005.
- Art Spiegelman: "Drawing blood" in Harper's Magazine june 2006.
- Michael Wood: "The Great Dictator - The Joker and the Madman" in The Criterion Collection 24.05.2011.
- The Daily Mash: "Next Doctor Who should be a Dalek, say Daleks"
- The Beaverton: "Palestinians recognize Texas as part of Mexico"
- The Rococo Post: "Atheists rage over a picture of nothing"
Field Sudies (subject to change):
- Visit by the cartoonist and teacher Bob Katzenelson who will help you develop your ideas
- Visiting DR and P3 Satire, the main Danish Broadcasting Company and a group of satirists working there.
Guest Lecturers:
Ellie Jokar, actor in the Danish satirical television series Det slører stadig [It's Still Blurry]
Sebastian Dorset, a Danish comedian and writer of satire for radio and tv.
Course Spirit: This class is intended to be partly driven by you. While I am responsible for giving you as much insight into the history and theory of satire as possible, and for giving you tips and tricks on how to produce your own satires, you will be responsible for driving class discussions as well as developing your ideas into actual satirical productions. My ambition is to create a classroom culture where we can all tolerate each others viewpoints, even if they differ from our own, and where we can explore 'crazy' ideas and trains of thoughts, even if they are not fully conceptualized or thought through. This requires trust in each other, and a willingness to consider and contribute to each other’s ideas and arguments.
Assignments and Assessment: The course consist of an introduction to the history and theory of satire, in-depth-analysis of some of the most controversial satires in contemporary Europe (for instance the French magazine Charlie Hebdo and the German film Look Who's Back), and several student-based productions of own satires.
- Participation in class discussions and activities: 20%
- Production of a satirical news article (individual task) and a 3-500 word academic reflection (individual task): 20%
- Production of a short humorous/satirical film and a 3-500 word academic reflection (the film must be produced in groups of 2-6, the reflection is individual): 25 %
- Final production of a piece of satire and a 300-500 word academic reflection (the satirical piece can be produced in groups of 2-6, the reflection is individual) 35%
A word about grades: I realize that grades are important to you, but try not to let your anxiety about grades deter you from taking intellectual or artistic risks, since they are often what you learn most from. Also, my grade is never an indication of my evaluation of you as a person. I grade you to give you my honest assessment of your performance at this point in time.
Attendance: I expect you to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for medical reasons, religious holidays, or other valid reasons, you must let me know as far in advance as possible and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with me as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed. All work – including home work and in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late papers or projects will be marked down with 1/5 of a grade for each day it is late.
Questions or just want to talk?
Feel free to email me or schedule an appointment to talk to the instructor.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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