Forms of Satire in American Literature 3301-LA2232-2ST
The course aims to present a survey of satire in American literature and culture: from the folk oral tradition (satirical storytelling in American colonies, black slave quarters, and Native American tribes); first American comic writings (Washington Irving); antebellum/abolitionist political satire (David Walker); post-Reconstruction vernacular tradition (Mark Twain, Charles W. Chesnutt); the satire of the Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes, Wallace Thurman, George Schuyler); the satirical humor of the pre- (Ralph Ellison, Dick Gregory) and post-Civil Rights Era; Black Power satire (Malcolm X); early feminist comic writing (Zora Neale Hurston, Fran Ross); postmodern satire (Kurt Vonnegut, Percival Everett); satirical memoirs (Baratunde Thurston, Angela Nissel, Issa Rae); literary companions to television satire and stand-up comedy (Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, George Carlin); contemporary satires of race and ethnicity (Paul Beatty); the most popular/acclaimed mainstream satirists of the twenty-first century (George Saunders, Simon Rich); as well as online (The Onion), interactive (Cultivated Wit), and Artificial-Intelligence-generated satire (The Bots of New York). The course will be complemented by critical texts on the philosophy of humor (Steven Gimbel, Simon Critchley, Terry Eagleton).
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
APPLIES TO STUDENTS BEGINNING THEIR STUDIES IN THE 2025/26 ACADEMIC YEAR:
KNOWLEDGE
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of
humor studies within literary studies and culture and region studies, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and
educational path)
K_W02 advanced principles of research design applied in literary studies and culture and religion studies, in particular
the principles of method and tool selection in formulating research problems concerning American literary satire and humor studies
K_W03 advanced-level structures, lexis and conventions of spoken and written English
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
ABILITIES
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and research methods of literary studies and culture and religion
studies, especially those pertinent to humor studies, to solve complex and original research problems in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and
educational path)
K_U02 apply advanced principles of research design appropriate for literary studies and culture and religion studies, especially those related to American literary satire and humor studies, and in particular is able to:
- select appropriate sources, methods and tools
- critically analyze and synthesize the current state of research in the discipline
- interpret and present the results obtained
using advanced information and communication techniques
K_U03 use structures, lexis and language conventions appropriate to the communicative situation (e.g. holding a public
debate, giving an academic presentation, etc.) in spoken and written English at the minimum level C2 according
to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when
required
K_K03 fulfill social obligations, co-organize activities for the benefit of the social environment
K_K04 initiate action in the public interest, think and act entrepreneurially
K_K05 perform professional roles responsibly, including:
- set high standards of work ethics for themselves and for others
- cultivate the traditions and appreciate the achievements of one’s profession
- observe and develop professional ethics in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational
pathway) within English Studies
APPLIES TO STUDENTS WHO BEGAN THEIR STUDIES BETWEEN 2022/23 AND 2024/25:
Knowledge
Students will be able to:
- K_W01 - Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of Humor Studies within the humanities
- K_W02 - Describe on an advanced level the current trends in American literary satire and Humor Studies
- K_W03 - Identify the essential issues, main methods and theories in research in the realm of Humor Studies and American literary satire
- K_W04 - Characterize on an advanced level the principles of research design in literary and culture studies with special focus on the application of methods and tools in formulating research problems in the realm of Humor Studies/American literary satire
Abilities
Students will be able to:
- K_U01 - Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the discipline of Humor Studies within literary and cultural studies
- K_U03 - Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to American satire and the discipline of literary studies and/or cultural studies
- K_U04 - Analyze literary and cultural phenomena as expressed in American satire and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level
- K_U06 - Find information in various sources and critically assess its usefulness for research related to the topic of the MA project and the final assignment
- K_U07 - Use modern technology in the process of learning and communicating with academic teachers, colleagues, representatives of various institutions and fellow participants in classes and projects, applying various channels and techniques of communication (specifically, use Perusall.com during the course to close read and comment upon assigned texts, and employ modern research and editing tools to create a video essay or a podcast episode for the final assignment)
- K_U08 - Participate in group projects, collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, doing groupwork, and preparing the final assignment
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
- K_K02 - Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning in the realm of Humor Studies and American literary satire
- K_K03 - Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to course and the discipline of Humor Studies, literary studies, and cultural studies
- K_K05 - Participate in academic and cultural undertakings in the realm of Humor Studies and American literary satire offered via various media
- K_K06 - Value cultural heritage and cultural diversity as well as individual opinions as exemplified in American literary satire
Education at language level C2
Assessment criteria
The course is conceptualized as a series of seminars. Thus, students must familiarize themselves with the assigned readings before discussing them in class. Students’ activity is crucial, and it includes preparation for each class (reading and commenting on selected texts on Perusall), pair work (debating selected questions from Perusall in pairs or small groups), and participation in class-wide discussions (led by the instructor).
The final grade will be comprised of:
30 % - preparation (i.e., reading assignments, commenting, and taking part in online discussions on Perusall.com)
30 % - class participation/being active
40 % - final assignment
Final/term assignment. Each student can choose between: A.) writing a term paper (two to four pages); B.) creating a video essay; or C.) recording a podcast/discussion on a topic related to the course.
All forms require creating a bibliography of references. No matter the type of assignment, the instructor will provide guidance, tutorials, and technical support.
Assessment methods and criteria:
- attendance
- class participation/being active
- preparation/homework (i.e., reading assignments, commenting, and taking part in online discussions on Perusall.com)
- final assignment (term paper, video essay, or a recorded podcast discussion)
Verification of learning outcomes:
- Written or oral final assignment (verification of outcomes: W, U, K).
- Written assignments on Perusall, oral contributions during classes (verification of outcomes: W, U, K)
- Carrying out tasks during classes (verification of outcomes: W, U, K)
- A group project completed during the semester (verification of outcomes: W, U, K).
Bibliography
The following texts will be read in fragments – typically, two or three short pieces per class – and subsequently commented on via Perusall (an Internet platform for close reading and online conversation via comment threads) and during in-class discussions. The instructor will provide all of the text fragments and other class materials on Perusall and/or OneDrive. The list might be modified to accommodate new publications and students’ interests.
ORAL TRADITION AND EARLY SATIRICAL LITERATURE
selected tall tales from:
Regina Barreca, “The Signet Book of American Humor”
Mel Watkins, “African American Humor”
Richard Erdoes, “American Indian Trickster Tales”
ABOLITIONIST AND POST-BELLUM SATIRE
Mark Twain, „Adventures of Huckleberry Finn“ and/or a selection of Twain’s essays
Charles W.Chesnutt, “The Conjure Woman”
HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Langston Hughes, Jesse B. Semple tales
Wallace Thurman, “Infants of the Spring”
George Schuyler, “Black No More”
1950s, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND BLACK POWER
Ralph Ellison, “Invisible Man”
Dick Gregory, “[N-word]: An Autobiography”
Malcolm X, “Message to the Grassroots”
EARLY AND CONTEMPORARY FEMINIST COMIC WRITING
Zora Neale Hurston, “How it Feels to be Colored Me” and/or folktales in “Mules and Men”
Fran Ross, “Oreo”
Tina Fey, “Bossypants” and/or Amy Poehler, “Yes, Please”
BOOKS BY TELEVISION SATIRISTS AND STAND-UP COMEDIANS
Jon Stewart, “America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction”
Stephen Colbert, “America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren’t”
George Carlin, “Brain Droppings”
POSTMODERN SATIRE
Kurt Vonnegut, “Slaughterhouse-Five”
Percival Everett, “Glyph” and/or “Erasure”
SATIRE OF RACE/ETHNICITY
Paul Beatty, “White Boy Shuffle” or “The Sellout”
Percival Everett, “James"
21st-CENTURY MAINSTREAM
George Saunders, “The Tenth of December”
Simon Rich "Glory Days"
ONLINE, INTERACTIVE, AND A.I.-GENERATED SATIRE
The Onion
The Bots of New York
Interactive satire of the Cultivated Wit media company
CRITICAL TEXTS
Simon Critchley "On Humor"
Steven Gimbel, “The Philosophy of Humor”
Terry Eagleton, “Humour”
Notes
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Term 2025Z:
Attendance is obligatory. 3 absences are allowed. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: