First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-23)

Topic

Reading the Sitcom: The Enduring Significance of t

Instructors

Liz McCabe

Meeting Info

University Library 4670: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Topic: Reading the Sitcom: The Enduring Significance of the TV Comedy Genre

The sitcom was a mainstay of mainstream cultural life in the US from the mid-20th century through at least the early 21st century--and fans of the genre's gems continue to grow. From I Love Lucy to Good Times to Parks and Recreation and beyond, a genre often mocked for its formulaic plots, canned laughs, and bland vibes has also been enduringly beloved. New swells of fervor keep building around series like Friends, Seinfeld, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as young audiences discover the nostalgic pleasures of shows made well before they were born. What is it about the sitcom that keeps us coming back? How have experiments with the form variously met or fervently side-stepped the cultural and political issues of their times? What can the sitcom teach us about core concepts of narrative study, like plot, character, and genre? And how has literature anticipated and grappled with this pop form? We will watch an array of sitcoms, sampling shows chronologically since the mid-1950's. Course readings will include several poems, pieces of short fiction, and a play, pulling from writers such as P.G. Wodehouse, Don DeLillo, Jericho Brown, and Anne Washburn.

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required