Dr. Ewa Wasilewska, Associate Professor/Lecturer, Dept. of Anthropology.

Office: Stewart 101. By appointment only.

Office phone: 801-581-6251. Please call between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and leave your name and a phone number so the instructor can call you back. Telephone appointments are acceptable.

Home phone: 801-596-3105. For emergencies only unless a telephone appointment is arranged.

Email: Mruczek@AOL.com

Studying laughter is not a laughing matter. Humor is a serious issue. However, neither laughing nor humor have received a proper attention from the scientific world until recently. This course is designed to introduce students to anthropology of laughter and humor, and then to demonstrate their importance in examining stereotypes, the formation of groups, and the societal structures that facilitate them. Consequently, the first part of the course (four meetings) focuses on theoretical and methodological issues involved in the anthropological study of humor and laughter, including very recent research on both as based on biological, genetic, and neurological data. When it becomes clear (through the use of specific examples) that different forms of humor not only reflect socio-political values, dynamics, conflicts, and challenges experienced in the multiethnic, multicultural, and multilingual complexity of the American “Melting Pot” but also perpetuate the existing stereotypes, inequalities, and perceptions, the rest of the semester will focus on analyzing how certain groups come to be defined as outsiders who are supposedly fair game for racist, sexist, or other forms of derogatory humor, as well as the societal structures that make this possible. In other words the theoretical and methodological tools will be applied to what students are already familiar with and intuitively comprehend, i.e., the use and abuse of humor in the U.S.

Some of the writings, lectures, films, or presentations in this course may include material that conflicts with the core beliefs of some students.  Please review the syllabus carefully to see if the course is one that you are committed to taking.
It is understood that the principles of academic freedom permit topics of all types, including those with offensive content, to be part of courses, lectures, and other academic pursuits. Much of humor is inherently offensive.  Indeed, it is the offensive aspect that often makes for the humorous nature of a particular setting. 
The materials in this course consist of offensive content that is used or displayed in an educational setting for educational purposes.  This course will present students with objects, pictures, videotapes, audio recordings, computer communications, literature, and lectures that are potentially—even certainly—offensive. Potentially offensive topics which will be discussed in the class include, but are not limited to, race and ethnic humor; hate humor; religion and religious humor; sexual, sexist and gender humor as well as linguistic humor. All topics are listed on this syllabus. Once again, offense or the potential for offense is innate to humor. This course cannot be taught fully or effectively without exposing students to offensive material. 

This course is a combination of lectures and discussions. Each meeting will be richly illustrated with video-clips, verbal and/or visual humorous situations, and movies. It is critical that students attend each meeting since most of the visual material will be available only in class. While students are encouraged to initiate and participate in all discussions as well as freely express their emotions induced by in-class humor, they must remain respectful of all classmates and tolerant of all humorous material, even of the most offensive in its nature such as hate humor (see above: “Disclaimer/warning”).

Evaluation Methods

This course, due to its potential offensiveness and extensive information from variety of seemingly unconnected scientific disciplines, is a challenging one requiring more than fair amount of objectivity, open-mindedness, and willingness to explore the unknown. Students are expected to:

1. Attend class meetings.
2. Do their readings in advance so they can fully participate in any discussions.
3. Take your exams as scheduled.
4. Offer their opinions and argue their points. The grade will be based on the knowledge of the required material, outside research (if needed), and analytical reasoning process (in good and edited English).
5. NO PLAGIARISM IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM (see below: “Academic Misconduct”).

Exams, Assignments and Grades:

There are three take-home exams. These exams are designed not only to test your knowledge but also to encourage critical thinking and independent analysis of the presented material. This course fulfills the DIV and BF requirements of general education that are there for a reason (see, http://www.ugs.utah.edu/?pageId=3988) i.e., to prepare you for “twenty-first-century challenges.” Remember, decisions you will make in the future will affect not only you, but all of us. After all, you will be paying (or not) my social security and will be taking us in and out of wars while trying to pay trillions of dollars in debt. Consequently, I want you to take this class very seriously. You cannot pass this class without attending class meetings as none of the Ppt presentations will be posted anywhere.
Each exam counts equally for your final grade. Your participation in class discussions is important as it may raise your overall grade up to two marks (e.g., from C to B-). Introduce yourself by your first and last name at the beginning of the semester and then, in all probability, your first name will be enough!

There won’t be any extra-credit assignments in this class. Each exam will be graded using the Letter-Grade scale (“A” as the highest, “E” as the lowest [no-pass] grade. The final grade will be calculated accordingly by setting up values of the Letter-Grade scale using the 4-Point scale.

Required Readings:

Wasilewska, Ewa: Anthropology of Humor and Laughter. Cognella Press: 2013.
 
To purchase this textbook (preliminary edition), please follow the instructions below: 
Step 1: Log on to https://students.universityreaders.com/store/.
Step 2: Create an account or log in if you have an existing account to purchase.

Step 3: Easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through the rest of the ordering process.

Payment can be made by all major credit cards or with an electronic check.
Ask for a discount (if possible)!
COURSE: ANTH 2040
INSTRUCTOR(S): Ewa Wasilewska

Additional (supplementary) reading material is available at Marriott Library Reserve Desk through electronic reserve or as hard copies.