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Listed in: European Studies, as EUST-270 | Spanish, as SPAN-375
Ilan Stavans (Section 01)
(Offered as SPAN 375 and EUST 270) An exploration on humor from a theoretical and multidisciplinary perspective, taking into consideration psychological, biological, political, social, racial, religious, national, and economic factors. The central questions leading the analysis are: What is humor? How does one understand its various types? What is culturally restrictive about humor? What makes Hispanic humor unique? Distinctions between satire, parody, and hyperbole will be explored in the context of Spain, Latin America, and the United States, from the Middle Ages to contemporary popular culture. Samples analyzed come from myth (from Don Juan to Pedro de Urdemalas), literature (from Quevedo to Cabrera Infante), comics (from Mafalda to La Cucaracha), TV (from Chespirito to El Hormiguero), movies (from Cantinflas to Tin Tan), standup comedy (from George Lopez to Carlos Mencia), and language (from double entendres to Freudian slips.) This course will be conducted in Spanish.Requisite: SPAN 199, 211 or 212 or with consent of the instructor. Limited to 25 students. Fall semester. Professor Stavans.
If Overenrolled: Priority will be given to seniors and Spanish majors. Others will be admitted to balance by class year to foster a diverse class.