Insult, Abuse, and Ridicule: Satire Through the Ages

This course surveys satiric expression from classical origins to contemporary examples such as South Park, as writers for stage, page and video critique the shortcomings of their society. Readings focus on the transformation of popular traditions of satire by successive writers, particularly the Aesopian tradition of the beast fable, the Lucanic tradition of otherworldly fantasy, and the picaresque, which traces the adventures of a hapless hero as he moves through various portions of his society. For students with two other upper-level (3000-level or above) English courses, this course may serve as the capstone for the Tier III requirement.