FM4121 Screen Comedy

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr P Flaig

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr P Flaig

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will trace comic forms, genres and theories developed over the course of film and television history. Taking comedy seriously, the module will bring together formal analysis of comic scenes and images, seeking to explore the how and why of funniness, with a broad historical survey, bridging early cinematic gags with Vine videos to explore the broader cultural and political causes and consequences of screen humour. Essential theories of comedy will be in dialogue with each week?s screening, analysing concepts ranging from the grotesque to laughter, the absurd to humour noir. We will focus on several key questions: How does comedy subvert or support social norms, whether they be political, ethnic or gendered? What is the relationship between the comic body on screen and the spectatorial response of laughter? What are the most extreme forms of comic experience? Screenings may include works by Keaton, McCarey, Chytilov?, Kusturica, Sturges, Iannucci and others.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS FM2002 AND PASS FM2003

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hours of lectures (x 11 weeks) 2 hours of film/video viewing (x 11 weeks)