EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS:

September 24, 2009: Exam # 1 (in class) – 20%
This exam will cover the first 4 class meetings (meeting # 5 is an exam). It is crucial that all students pass this exam with at least a “C” grade. Failure to earn this or higher grade will result in a short (5 pages) paper summarizing the main concepts missed during a regular exam. 
October 1, 2009: Assignment # 1 (take home) – 5%
This assignment will cover meetings # 4-6 and will require an Internet search for a funny video clip to analyze it according to points discussed in class (humor theories and techniques). Focus on language communication in the U.S. and conceptualization of American cultural traits (e.g., jeep as a horse in the U.S.)
October 8, 2009: Assignment # 2 (take home) – 10%
This assignment will test students on their understanding of humor functions as social control and/or conflict (meetings # 8 and 9).  “Thank You for Smoking!” as a multilayered satire on modern American society.
November 5, 2009: Exam # 2 (take home) – 20%
This exam will cover meetings #9-11. The first part of this exam will focus on a student’s ability to analyze joking relationships’ charts and applicability of the learned material to a hypothetical conflict situation. The second part will require knowledge and understanding of the roots of specific minorities’ type of humor (in-group stereotyping of stereotypes). Popularity and demise of various ethnic humors as reflection of ever-changing reality in the U.S. (e.g., Polish jokes out, Mexican jokes in).
November 5, 2009: Assignment # 3 (take home) – 5%
This assignment, “An Assignment from Hell,” will be based on a chapter from O’Rourke’s Holidays from Hell. It will include one general and one lottery question (ethnic groups).
November 12, 2009: Assignment # 4 (take home) – 10%
This assignment will cover meeting #12 and will be designed to test students on their ability to use acquired information (sex, aggression, gender roles, commercials) to examine a role of humor in reducing or increasing crime rates (homicide, rape, etc.) in the U.S.A. and selected countries of their choice (e.g., “Sex and the city” – American women are “fighting” back with humor).
November 19, 2009: Assignment # 5 (take home) – 10%
This assignment (meeting #13) will examine students’ knowledge on the importance of humor in religious rituals (humor in and about religion/s). Is humor about different religions in the U.S. a reflection of its politics?
December 10. 2009: Final exam # 3 (take home) – 20%
This exam will cover the rest of meetings focusing on issues of hate humor, absurd humor, political humor, and freedom of speech and of artistic expression (e.g., Borat, Amazing Racist, and Chris Rock).