Dec 03, 2024  
2017-18 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home

  Programs A-Z
  Programs by College/School
  Programs by Type

  Course Descriptions

  2017-18 Academic Calendar
  Academic Policies & Regulations
  Course Registration
  Financial Aid Policies
  Undergraduate Curriculum

  Colleges, Schools & Departments
  English Language Institute
  Global Field Study
  Honors Program
  Interdisciplinary Programs & Courses
  Three-Year Degrees
  University Seminars

  Accreditation
  Campus Map
  Disabilities Support Services
  Mission Statement
  Past Catalogs
  Student Handbook
HELP
2017-18 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ID 252 Laughing Matters

Why do we laugh? What is laughter? What makes something funny? How do we laugh? In this course, students will investigate, discuss and analyze the science, elements, theories, and effects of laughter and humor. Through the study of the science of laughter, physiological and psychological processes about the brain and laughing will be investigated. The social, physical, and mental benefits will be experienced and analyzed through participation and exploration of laughter yoga, stand up performance, physical comedy, improvisation and interactive games. Through the exploration of mass media (digital, print, broadcast, and outdoor media), students will develop a comedic eye while discussing observations of various sociological and political perspectives. The universality of educational competencies of laughter and humor will be applied and implemented through a sustained fieldwork experience with middle school students and the building of a culminating project with those students.

Students will be required to obtain three clearances (FBI, Child Abuse, and Criminal Record Check) prior to participating in the fieldwork experience.