English 459-001
Writers in English Literature, 1900 to the Present: British Comedy from 1900 to the Present
Instr: Roberts, Sheila
Office: CRT 597; 229-4534
e-mail: svrob@uwm.edu
Office hours: TBA
Course Information: TR; 11:00am-12:15pm; CRT 368
Course Description
In previous decades, the British have created comic fiction, plays, and films that have not always had a universal appeal. One would often hear people say, "I do not understand British humor." In more recent times, with international filming cooperation, there has been a growing cohesion among British, American, and European styles of comedy. For instance, the purposely dry, sardonic, or befuddled British retort is now a staple of certain styles of American comedy, and the age-old slapstick of American humor has been appropriated by the British; e.g., The Monty Python Crew, Mr. Bean, and others.
In this course, we will read or view British theatre productions; read fiction; and view TV sitcoms, as well as films of British novels. We will attempt to come to some definitions of what is British comedy and how has it been modified over the past century.
Required Reading:
The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde
Down Among the Women by Fay Weldon
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning by Allan Sillitoe
Corrigan by Caroline Blackwood
Money by Martin Amis
The Goat, or Silvia, Who is She by Edward Albee
Films as available:
The Importance of Being Ernest, Major Barbara, My Family and Other Animals, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, The Faulty Towers TV Series, and others.
Grades:
One mid-term paper (5 pp. approximately), 25%
One end-of-semester paper (6-8pp approximately), 40%
Attendance and class participation, including a presentation, 35%
Religious Holidays will be respected.
Incompletes will be granted under exceptional circumstances.
