EN-463 The Rhetorics of Satire

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Advanced Teacher Education level 8-13, 5-year Master's Programme
• Translation and Professional Communication, Master's programme
• Master's Programme in English

Teaching language

English

Recommended prerequisites

It is recommended that EN-455-1 has been completed or is taken during the same semester.

Course contents

How can narratives in literature and other mass media allow for dialogue concerning pressing issues in society? One way is through satire. Although best known for being ironic and humorous, satire uses other registers as well and can be a powerful and effective tool that enables broad conversations outside the work itself.

 

This course takes a closer look at narratives in various media forms that depict problems of a political, technological, and interpersonal nature. The course will address five elements that have become satire’s targets - colonialism, race, war, gender, and technology - and use selected literature and media to shed light on both the contemporary historical circumstances and how satire has been used to create discussion around them.

 

The inherent ironic distance in satire is such that satire allows for a constructive dialogue in society by enabling one to "speak truth" to power. This often involves humor in the articulation; this can take the form of exaggeration, mixed catalogs, parody, sparsely disguised reproach and ad hominem attacks, in short, this mode of literary expression allows for alternative depictions of reality through critical filtering.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will demonstrate

• an understanding of how irony can be employed in satire and parody;
• an understanding of the role of satire in English-speaking societies from the 18th century to the present day, and how it appears in various entertainment media;
• insight into the extent to which various satirical works are perceived as criticism, aids, or threats to certain historical events that affect the topics environment, gender, war, technology and mass media;
• knowledge of various ways satire is structured rhetorically, from "Augustan," "New Critical," "Formalist," and "Postmodern" perspectives;
• knowledge of various genres and journalism, and how satire can be used to create a forum for discussion about current societal events and developments.

 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have the skills to

• reflect on satirical literary and narrative works as a part of an implicit conversation within Western and English-speaking cultures;
• explain how various genres (literary prose, popular music, film, and journalism) reflect and contribute to important discussions in society through satire.

Examination requirements

Students must have submitted all portfolio assignments, and participated in group presentations.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars. Active and regular participation is expected. The estimated workload is approximately 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Admission for external candidates

No

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes, if there are places available

Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module

Same admission requirements apply as for the master's programme in English.

Assessment methods and criteria

The exam consists of two individual assignments:

• Three (3) short assignments, for a total of approx. 3000-4000 words in a portfolio that counts 40% of the final grade.
• A two-day home exam (2000-3000 words) on a topic that may cover the entire syllabus and content, for 60% of the final grade.