Course description

This course explores texts that are generally considered to be popular, such as those produced for mass consumption. Theories from the field of cultural studies inform the general approach to the material, which means that the cultural contexts for the texts are foregrounded. These contexts might include histories of production and reception, economic forces, gender relations, sexuality and/or issues of race. The course examines a range of media which may draw from the products of mass print, digital, visual, cinematic and/or electronic cultures. “Animating Satire” studies satiric animated television. We will be studying about fifty episodes chosen from a few television series, mostly from South Park and The Simpsons. We will also read a few academic essays about satire to help complicate and contextualize our analyses. This course studies the cultural work accomplished by the shows, where we will focus our attention on the shows’ use of satire. Prior knowledge of the shows is not required.