Summer Timetable
POL300H1S L0101
Topics in Comparative Politics
Humour and Politics
Themes
How do humour and politics intersect? What role does humour play in the political life of democracies, transitioning democracies, and authoritarian states? This course will introduce you to the world of humour and politics, with a focus on two broad themes: satire and society, and humour and international politics. We will explore the history of satire around the world and assess its impact on political life. We will look at how satirists are increasingly influential in the policy process, and how they have become major political actors (whether deliberately or not) in many countries. We will delve into the limits of free speech, humour and social movements, and the role of humour in political campaigns. We will also look at how humour has been used to combat oppression, and we will study the effectiveness (and limits) of humour as a tool for achieving political change.
Texts
TBA
Format and Requirements
Critical reflection essays; research paper; attendance and participation.
Prerequisites
1.0 POL credit
January 29, 2024
The winners of the 2022-2023 undergraduate awards were announced at the annual celebration, held this year on the evening of January 25. Presiding over the award ceremony were Undergraduate Director...
January 26, 2023
Congratulations to our 2021/22 undergraduate award & scholarship recipients! Following a two-year hiatus, the department was delighted to return to hosting our undergraduate awards in-person this year to celebrate our...
June 3, 2021
In a bid to motivate her students in what has been a very difficult academic year, Professor Rebecca Kingston decided to give those enrolled in the winter 2021 term of...
May 21, 2020
Congratulations to undergraduate student Cheryl Cheung who has received a University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA). Going into her third year majoring in political science, with minors in visual studies...
January 29, 2020
Congratulations to all our amazing undergraduate students who picked up one the department’s twenty-three awards and scholarships at our annual undergraduate awards ceremony. In attendance were Dean of Arts &...