30210
Graduate Course
SoSe 16: 'And now for something completely different': Sociological issues in the works of Monthy Python
Christian Brzinsky-Fay/ Dieter Ohr
Additional information / Pre-requisites
Humour, parody and satire often serve as subject of social science analysis, but are rarely used as method for understanding and reflecting on social phenomena (cp. Watson 2015). At the same time, they mirror social life in a way similar to social sciences, namely by applying strategies of exaggeration and ideal type construction. The seminar aims at the examination of how sociological subjects related to inequality are expressed in comedy by taking the example of the numerous works of the British comedy group Monty Python (Monty Python Flying Circus, Holy Grail, Life of Brian). Using selected sketches as examples, the participants shall seek after and discover sociological theories, which explain the respective topics. Furthermore, cultural similarities and differences between countries will be assessed in the seminar. close
Comments
Humour, parody and satire often serve as subject of social science analysis, but are rarely used as method for understanding and reflecting on social phenomena (cp. Watson 2015). At the same time, they mirror social life in a way similar to social sciences, namely by applying strategies of exaggeration and ideal type construction. The seminar aims at the examination of how sociological subjects related to inequality are expressed in comedy by taking the example of the numerous works of the British comedy group Monty Python (Monty Python Flying Circus, Holy Grail, Life of Brian). Using selected sketches as examples, the participants shall seek after and discover sociological theories, which explain the respective topics. Furthermore, cultural similarities and differences between countries will be assessed in the seminar. close
Suggested reading
Watson, Cate (2015): A Sociologist Walks into a Bar (and Other Academic Challenges): Towards A Methodology of Humour, in: Sociology, 49 (3), p. 407-412.
13 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Mon, 2016-04-18 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-04-25 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-05-02 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-05-09 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-05-23 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-05-30 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-06-06 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-06-13 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-06-20 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-06-27 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-07-04 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-07-11 14:00 - 16:00
Mon, 2016-07-18 14:00 - 16:00