The Rhetoric of Satire

Instructor:  Karma Waltonen, Department of English and University Writing Program, College of Letters and Science

Description: Almost immediately after the tragedy of 9/11, writers and pundits declared that irony and satire were dead, that they would no longer be welcome in American life and politics.  Yet popular culture in the post-9/11 world has seen a surge in satire.  This course explores satire as an American institution and seeks both to define what we know as “corrective comedy” and to investigate its efficacy.  Does satire actually have the power to change people’s view, to “correct” society’s ills, or is it simply a way for like-minded people to reinforce their beliefs through humor?  While we will look at classic American satire, the focus will be on contemporary American works.  We will also look at a few current works that critique America from the outside. 

Format: This course will be challenging to students in that reading and writing satire require a higher level of critical thinking than reading and writing standard texts.  Students will be asked to think about the rhetorical moves satires make, as well as to think through how satire and politics intertwine.  A weekly reading journal will allow the students to think through definitions, responses, and ideas that our satires challenge.  Students will be asked to produce a satire of their own as their final project.  Some students may choose to do this on their own if they are writing an essay.  Students may also choose to produce a zine or news report as a group. In addition to the Shearer novel, there will be a course reader containing selections from our print sources.  Students will be asked to view some websites before our discussions in weeks 4, 5, and 6 (these websites may be satires in their own right, downloads, or transcripts).  Students will be given a list of films they may view for weeks eight and nine.  We will arrange to views the film together in an empty classroom on an agreed-upon date prior to discussion.  Students may also view these films on their own. Grading: Reading/Viewing Journal:  40%; Participation in Discussion:  20%.  Satire Project:  35%.  Presentation of Project:  5%.

About the Instructor: Karma Waltonen is postdoctoral instructor in the College of Letters and Science.  Past research includes work on several British comic writers—Shakespeare, Kureishi, Monty Python, and Izzard.  She recently served as a coordinator for the Shakespeare Live summer course in London. Many British people find her “amuzing” and the feeling is mutual.