Week # 9 - March 8, 2007

My culture, not yours! Ethnic humor: its nature and functions. Popularity and demise.  Readings for Week 9: EW: #9

Apte, Mahadev L.: Humor, Ethnicity, and Intergroup Relations. In “Humor and Laughter. An Anthropological Approach.” Cornell University Press. 1985. Pp. 108-148.

Assignment “from Hell:” O’Rourke, P.J.: The Innocents Abroad, Updated. In  “Holidays in Hell.” Grove Press. 1988. Pp.5-11.

1. Explain stereotypes of 10 ethnic groups as based on O’Rourke’s smart comments (remember that he visited these countries in 1980s).

2. Question lottery: draw five phrases from those prepared by the instructor and explain their meaning.