COM75-303-01
LATINO/A HUMOR IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE
FALL 2009
MWF 9:00-9:50 a.m.
JMH 130
Professor:
Office:
Office phone:
Office hours:
E-mail:
Jennifer Alvarez Dickinson
JMH 124
863-1727
MW 11:00-12:00, or by appointment
dickinsj@southwestern.edu
We have to laugh. Because laughter, we already know, is the first evidence of freedom.
Rosario Castellanos, from “If Not Poetry, Then What?,”1973
…the comic spirit has a logic of its own, even in its wildest eccentricities. It has a method in its
madness. It dreams, I admit, but it conjures up, in its dreams, visions that are at once accepted
and understood by the whole of a social group. Can it then fail to throw light for us on the way
that human imagination works, and more particularly social, collective, and popular imagination?
Henri Bergson, Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic, 1911
Course Summary
This course will investigate humorous materials produced by contemporary Latina and Latino
writers, artists, and performers, with an emphasis on the relationship between creative
expression and sociopolitical critique. Beginning with a grounding in humor theory, students will
analyze both in-group self-reflexive humor and satire directed at perceived outsiders as a means
of gaining insight into Latino cultures and the complexity of humor in human communication.
Through our examination of texts produced by various Latina and Latino artists, we will begin to
ask such questions as: How do Latinos use humor to address anxieties over cultural assimilation?
How do Latinos use humor to critique both the dominant culture and Latino cultural norms? How
does Latino humor challenge or reinforce stereotypes and traditional notions of identity? How
does Latino humor hinder or help intercultural dialogue? Acknowledging that humor addresses
virtually every aspect of human interaction and communication, for organizational purposes the
course will be divided into the following topics: immigration/border humor, media representation
of Latinos/as, and perceptions of ethnic authenticity.
Required Text
Critchely, Simon. On Humour. New York, NY: Routledge, 2002.
Selected Readings: Articles will be available on Segue (SEG) and in a reading packet (RP)
available at the Postal Annex in Round Rock located in the shopping center at the southwest
corner of I-35 and 620 (110 N. I-35, Suite 315, next to Starbucks). Please call to check on packet
availability: 512-828-4549. Open M-F, 8-7, Sat. 9-4:30.
Course Objectives
1. Develop a theoretical understanding of humor from a communication perspective.
2. Develop a better understanding of contemporary Latino cultural production and its
relationship to debates over political participation, citizenship and social justice.
3. Critically interpret, analyze, evaluate and critique culture, including our own
personal/social identities, beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviors.
4. Acquire vocabulary and skills of cultural criticism.
5. Develop research and presentation skills through analytic writing and public speaking.
Course Requirements & Grading
Participation (attendance, discussion, in-class assignments, quizzes)
Three Short Papers—3-4 pages (10% ea.)
Two Critical Response Presentations—2-3 pages (10% ea.)
Final Paper Proposal
Final Paper Introduction—2-3 pages
Final Paper—a more in-depth exploration of a topic of interest, 8-10 pages
15%
30%
20%
5%
10%
20%
Assignments
The course is divided into four sections. The first is an overview of humor theory and Latino
popular culture studies. The remaining three sections reflect recurring themes or topics of Latino
humor. While much of the materials overlap all three topic sections, the divisions of “Media
Representation,” “Border Humor,” and “Identity & Authenticity” are simply meant to help
highlight connections among works and generate focused discussion. You will be required to
write short papers that summarize, synthesize and critique the introductory materials and the two
topic sections, “Media Representation” and “Border Humor.”
By the sixth week of class, you are expected to select your own topic that examines some aspect
of Latino humor in more depth. You will turn in a 1-2 paragraph abstract of your final paper topic
describing your topic and what you hope to learn. Your proposal will also include an annotated
bibliography of your initial sources. Keeping the topic focused, the final paper allows you to spend
more time with one particular piece, performer, writer or theme so that you can develop your own
argument more fully.
Participation Grade
This course is structured around reading, discussion and writing. To facilitate discussion, students
will select a day to lead discussion. It is recommended that you come to class every day with
pre-written notes and questions about the assigned course materials.
Attendance Policy & Punctuality
Attendance will be taken daily. You are allowed 2 absences. After the second absence, your final
grade will be lowered one point for each subsequent absence. Five minutes after class begins,
you are considered late to class. Three late arrivals equals one absence—please come to class on
time. If you are late and someone is giving a presentation, please wait outside until the
presentation is over. You are responsible for all work missed during your absence. If you will miss
class for a field trip in another course, for religious observance, or university sanctioned travel,
you are required to provide written notification prior to your absence.
Academic Honesty
Each student is expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in academic
and professional matters. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes plagiarism
when using secondary sources. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism or proper citation,
please ask. Unintentionally omitting citations when using texts or ideas from external sources is
still plagiarism. Please see the Southwestern Library page, “Keeping It Honest: Avoiding
Plagiarism” for examples of what constitutes plagiarism and university policy regarding
plagiarism.
http://www.southwestern.edu/library/fys-support/FYS_AvoidingPlagiarism.html
As stated in the faculty handbook, “Southwestern University operates under an honor system
established by mutual agreement of students and faculty” and, importantly, “The student body is
directly responsible for the effective working of the honor system” (p. 81). As mandated by the
Honor Code and/or the matriculation pledge you signed, all work completed in this course must
be original, completed independently (unless otherwise indicated) and must include proper
documentation for any external sources used. It is the responsibility of each student to know and
understand the Honor Code.
Violations of the Honor code include (but are not limited to): Intentional plagiarism of any
degree; unintentional plagiarism of any degree; failure to properly document sources according
to APA or MLA guidelines; lying (directly or by omission) about completing work for the course;
lying about observing the academic dishonesty of others; failure to report academic dishonesty, if
observed.
Individual work: For each assignment you complete, you are responsible for
confirming your adherence to the honor code by writing, “I have acted with honesty
and integrity in producing this work and am unaware of anyone who has not” followed
by your signature.
Group work: The group is responsible for confirming the group’s adherence to the
honor code by writing “We have acted with honesty and integrity in producing this
work and are unaware of anyone who has not” followed by signatures from each group
member.
If you have violated the Honor Code or observed anyone doing so, do not write and sign the
above Honor Code statements. Any violation of the Honor Code and general academic honesty
will result in a failing grade on the assignment and/or in the course. Furthermore, the student
and the work in question will be reported to the Department Chair and Associate Vice President
and Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
Grading Criteria
A+ 100-97
B+
A
96-93
B
A- 92-90
B-
89-86
85-83
82-80
C+
C
C-
79-76
75-73
72-70
D+
D
D-
69-66
65-63
62-60
F
59 or below
Late Work
All assignments are to be turned in to me at the beginning of class on the designated due date.
E-mailed work is not accepted. Except for the final paper, late work will be accepted with
penalty. After the due date, five points per day will be deducted from your grade. On the day an
assignment is due, if you have not completed the assignment you must submit a written note
indicating when you plan on turning in your work.
Incompletes
An incomplete grade for the course will only be given for extreme cases such as prolonged illness,
death in the family or other serious reasons out of your control. Please see me as soon as
possible if you believe you will need to request an extension or incomplete.
Access for Students with Disabilities
Southwestern University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented
disabilities. To arrange accommodations, students should contact the Assistant Director for Access
and Academic Resources within the Center for Academic Success (Cullen Building, 3rd floor, 8631286; email carterk@southwestern.edu). Students seeking accommodations should notify the
Assistant Director for Access and Academic Resources at least two weeks before services are
needed. Please discuss your concerns regarding access with me as soon as possible.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Course assignments are subject to change as necessary. All changes will be announced in class and posted
on the Segue course website. If you are absent, please check to see that you are up to date on course
activities and assignments.
Humor Theory & Cultural Studies
WK
DATE
TOPIC
1
8/24
Course Overview and Introductions
2
3
8/26
Critchley, Ch. 1 “Introduction” and Ch. 2 “Is Humour Human?”
8/28
9/2
Critchley, Ch. 5 “Foreigners are Funny”
Reyes, “Comedy and Humor”
SEG: Boskin, “Ethnic Humor: Subversion and Survival”
Post Comments on Segue: Latino Comedy Project Show
SEG: Leveen: “Only When I Laugh: Textual Dynamics of Ethnic Humor”
9/4
In-Class Writing: Usable Theories
9/7
LABOR DAY
8/31
9/9
RP: Tatum, “Chicano Popular Culture,” Introduction & Ch. 1
9/11
RP: Berg, “A Crash Course on Hollywood’s Latino Imagery”
Latino Comic Performance and Media Representation
4
9/14
RP: Culture Clash, The Mission 3-7, 19-38
Paper 1 Due: Humor Theory
9/16
RP: Culture Clash, The Mission 39-56
5
6
7
9/18
Screening: Excerpts, “Culture Clash”
9/21
9/23
SEG: Mintz, “Standup Comedy as Social and Cultural Mediation”
Screening: Brown is the New Green
Screening: George Lopez standup
9/25
RP: Lopez, from Why You Crying?
9/28
9/30
SEG: Markert, “The George Lopez Show: The Same Old Hispano?”
Screening: George Lopez Show
Screening: George Lopez Show
10/2
Final Paper Proposal & Annotated Bibliography Due
10/5
RP: Román, “Latino Genealogies”
Screening: John Leguizamo
Screening: John Leguizamo
10/7
10/9
SEG: Please post response on Segue
Topic Review
Border & Immigration Humor
8
10/12
FALL BREAK
10/14
RP: Fregoso, “Humor as Subversive Deconstruction”
Screening: Born in East L.A.
10/16
Screening: Born in East L.A.
Paper 2 Due: Latino Performance and Media Representation
9
10/19
RP: Reyna & Herrera-Sobek, “Construction of the Mexican Immigrant in
Chicano Humor”
10
10/21
SEG: View Latino Comedy Project shorts, “300” and “Mex vs. BC”
10/23
10/26
SEG: View Alex Rivera’s “Why Cybraceros?” and “Día de Independencia”
SEG: Please post response on Segue
RP: Arellano, “Introduction” & “Inmigración,” from ¡Ask a Mexican!
10/28
Alcaraz, comic strips
10/30
Final Paper Introduction Due
Peer Editing Workshop
Identity & Authenticity
11
11/2
Critchley, Ch. 4 “The Laughing Machine”
RP: Valdez, “Los Vendidos”
11/4
RP: López, “Generation Mex”
11/6
12
13
11/11
Critchley, Ch. 6, “The Joke’s on All of Us”
Paper 3 Due: Border & Immigration Humor
RP: Najera, The Pain of the Macho, 9-19, 32-52
*Note: “Lopez Tonight” premiers, TBS, 10 p.m.
Screening: Latinologues
11/13
SEG: Please post Response on Segue
11/16
RP: Serros, How to Be a Chicana Role Model, 1-19, 75-83
11/18
RP: Serros, How to Be a Chicana Role Model, 101-127, 211-222
11/20
In-Class Writing Response: Pochos & Humor
Presentation
11/9
Course Presentations and Conclusion
14
11/23
Presentations
15
16
11/2527
11/30
THANKSGIVING BREAK
12/2
Presentations
12/4
Presentations
Course Evaluations and Conclusion
Tuesday, Dec. 8th—Final Paper Due JMH 130, 1:30 p.m.
12/8
Presentations