FT1CSS-Comedy on Stage and Screen

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Simone Knox
Email: s.knox@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module gives students the opportunity to study comedy on stage and screen, encompassing theatre, live performance, film and television. Students will engage with the relevant critical vocabulary and contextual knowledge to explore how humour is created, circulated and consumed, across a range of genres and practices. Case studies may include classic and contemporary film comedies (e.g. screwball comedy); musical comedies (e.g. The Book of Mormon); stand-up comedy (e.g. Ali Wong); sitcoms (e.g. Friends); or the work of specific creative practitioners (e.g. Joe Orton).

Aims:

This module aims to give students critical insights into how comedy intersects with film, theatre and television through a series of case studies. Students will address key questions concerning how selected case studies engage with humour through creative choices that may raise such critical issues as (shifting) identity politics (gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, disability, etc.), taboo, embarrassment, cult or cancel/outrage culture. Each case study will be explored within its relevant production, industrial and socio-cultural contexts.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Deploy relevant film-, theatre- and television-related terminology confidently;


• Demonstrate an understanding of the key critical debates about screen and stage comedy;


• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of a range of ways that creative practitioners may negotiate stylistic and thematic concerns; 


• Analyse individual case studies informed b y relevant theoretical and contextual perspectives.

Additional outcomes:

The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies, which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of films and television programmes.

Outline content:

The module will be structured by a number of relevant critical issues, introduced in lectures and explored through in-depth seminar discussion focused on selected case studies. Case studies may include: Classic and contemporary film comedies (e.g. screwball comedy, romantic comedies, gross out comedies); musical comedies (e.g. The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q); stand-up comedy (e.g. Ali Wong, Aziz Ansari); sitcoms (e.g. Friends, Brooklyn Nine-Nine); or the work of specific creative practitioners (e.g. Joe Orton, Judd Apatow). There may be a visiting guest speaker. (Note: this outline content is indicative.)

Global context:

While the module will be focused on Anglophone case studies, these will be explored with a global outlook, and case studies may be international in scope.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Within the one-hour class, a range of teaching styles will be used and may vary from week to week. Lectures will be used to establish contexts and relevant vocabulary, as well as to introduce issues for discussion and debate. Seminar-based discussion will concentrate on close analysis of case studies and discussion of critical approaches. Seminars and lectures will require preparation in the form of screenings and specified critical reading. There may be a visiting guest speaker.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		4
Seminars		5
Supervised time in studio/workshop		36
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		30
Wider reading (directed)		30
Advance preparation for classes		4
Preparation for seminars		10
Completion of formative assessment tasks		15
Essay preparation		50
Reflection		16
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

100% coursework including: a series of short written responses/exercises. 

Formative assessment methods:

There will be formative feedback for some of the written responses/exercises.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: None


2. Specialist equipment or materials: None


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: None


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 12 October 2021