Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy

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International applicants and their qualifications are accepted

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Overview

Overview

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Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy explores the unconscious desires and anxieties shaping comedic performances and audience responses.


This interdisciplinary approach utilizes Freudian and Lacanian theories to analyze jokes, humor, and laughter. It examines the role of the id, ego, and superego in comedic creation and reception.


Psychoanalytic readings uncover the often-unacknowledged power dynamics and social anxieties underlying seemingly innocuous comedic acts.


Suitable for students and scholars of psychology, literature, film studies, and performance arts, this critical lens unveils the hidden depths of comedy. Unconscious motivations drive both the comedian and the audience's engagement.


Discover how psychoanalytic theory illuminates the complexities of laughter and its relationship to the human psyche. Explore the field today!

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Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy unlocks the hidden depths of humor. This course delves into the unconscious motivations driving comedic performances, exploring the interplay between the id, ego, and superego in joke-telling and audience response. Gain expert insights into Freudian theory and its application to comedic texts and performances, analyzing humor's social and psychological functions. Develop crucial critical thinking skills applicable to film, literature, and theatre studies. Boost your career prospects in academia, media criticism, or creative writing. Unique features include a focus on contemporary comedic forms and a workshop component for developing your own psychoanalytic interpretations. The course provides a powerful Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy lens for understanding human behavior and artistic expression.

Entry requirements

The program operates on an open enrollment basis, and there are no specific entry requirements. Individuals with a genuine interest in the subject matter are welcome to participate.

International applicants and their qualifications are accepted.

Step into a transformative journey at LSIB, where you'll become part of a vibrant community of students from over 157 nationalities.

At LSIB, we are a global family. When you join us, your qualifications are recognized and accepted, making you a valued member of our diverse, internationally connected community.

Course Content

• The Unconscious in Humor: Exploring the role of repressed desires, anxieties, and defense mechanisms in comedic expression and audience response.
• The Oedipus Complex and Comedy: Examining the comedic potential of familial dynamics, particularly the parent-child relationship, through a psychoanalytic lens.
• Humor as a Defense Mechanism: Analyzing how comedy functions as a coping strategy for dealing with trauma, aggression, and societal taboos (defense mechanisms, repression, sublimation).
• The Id, Ego, and Superego in Comedic Performance: Investigating the interplay of these psychic structures in shaping comedic characters and their actions (psychoanalytic theory, character analysis).
• Jokes and the Release of Tension: Exploring the psychoanalytic understanding of laughter as a cathartic release of pent-up psychic energy.
• The Thanatos Drive and Dark Humor: Examining the expression of aggression, death instincts, and anxieties through dark comedy and satire.
• The Role of the Analyst (Lacanian Psychoanalysis): Applying Lacanian concepts to comedic texts, focusing on the imaginary, symbolic, and real registers.
• Gender and Sexuality in Comedy: Analyzing the portrayal of gender roles and sexual dynamics through a psychoanalytic perspective (Freud, Lacan, gender studies).
• Comic Repetition and the Return of the Repressed: Investigating how recurring comedic motifs and structures might reveal unconscious desires or anxieties.

Assessment

The evaluation process is conducted through the submission of assignments, and there are no written examinations involved.

Fee and Payment Plans

30 to 40% Cheaper than most Universities and Colleges

Duration & course fee

The programme is available in two duration modes:
1 month (Fast-track mode): 140
2 months (Standard mode): 90

40% Cheaper

Our course fee is up to 40% cheaper than most universities and colleges.

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Awarding body

 The programme is awarded by London School of International Business. This program is not intended to replace or serve as an equivalent to obtaining a formal degree or diploma. It should be noted that this course is not accredited by a recognised awarding body or regulated by an authorised institution/ body.

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  • Start this course anytime from anywhere.
  • 1. Simply select a payment plan and pay the course fee using credit/ debit card.
  • 2. Course starts
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Got questions? Get in touch

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+44 75 2064 7455

admissions@lsib.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 3608 0144



Career path

Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy: Career Landscape in the UK

Role Description
Comedy Writer (Scriptwriter, Television) Crafting witty scripts for TV shows; high demand, competitive salaries.
Stand-up Comedian (Performing Artist, Live Entertainment) Performing live comedy sets; requires strong stage presence; income variable.
Comedy Producer (Production, Media) Overseeing comedy productions; strong organizational skills; good salary potential.
Comedy Director (Film, Television) Directing comedy films and TV shows; creative leadership skills essential; high earning potential.
Comedy Agent (Talent Management, Entertainment) Representing comedians; strong networking skills needed; variable income.

Key facts about Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy

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A Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy explores the unconscious motivations and desires driving both comedic creation and audience reception. Understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms helps unpack the humor's effectiveness and its societal impact. Students will learn to analyze comedic texts through a Freudian lens, identifying defense mechanisms, anxieties, and the role of the id, ego, and superego.


The course typically runs for one semester (15 weeks), meeting twice a week for one-hour sessions. This allows sufficient time to cover key psychoanalytic theories, explore various comedic genres (from slapstick to satire), and undertake detailed case studies applying psychoanalytic theory to specific comedic works. Assignments may include essays, presentations, and potentially a final research paper focusing on a chosen comedic text.


This course is highly relevant to students pursuing careers in film studies, media production, creative writing, and even advertising. A thorough understanding of humor's psychological underpinnings is invaluable for crafting effective and engaging comedic content. The ability to analyze comedy through a psychoanalytic lens is a powerful tool for anyone working within the creative industries, providing insights into audience responses and the emotional impact of comedic material. Skills developed through this course also contribute to the critical analysis of narrative structure and character development. Furthermore, the psychoanalytic approach provides a rich framework for understanding cultural representations and social commentary within comedy.


Learning outcomes include enhanced critical thinking skills, a deeper understanding of psychoanalytic theory, and the ability to apply this theory to analyze various comedic forms. Students will also improve their research and writing skills and develop a heightened awareness of the complex interplay between comedy, psychology, and culture. The application of psychoanalytic interpretation to comedic texts prepares students for advanced studies in media psychology and related fields.

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Why this course?

Psychoanalytic Critique of comedy offers a valuable lens through which to examine contemporary humor, particularly within the UK's increasingly competitive entertainment market. Understanding the unconscious desires and anxieties reflected in comedic performances is crucial for creators and consumers alike. The UK comedy industry, worth an estimated £4.5 billion annually (source needed for accurate statistic), is constantly evolving, demanding fresh approaches to audience engagement. A psychoanalytic approach allows for deeper analysis of comedic tropes, exploring the societal pressures and unresolved conflicts that underpin seemingly lighthearted material. This is particularly relevant considering the rise of social commentary within stand-up, reflecting anxieties regarding Brexit (49% of the population dissatisfied, source needed for statistic) and the cost of living crisis (70% reporting financial strain, source needed for statistic).

Issue Percentage Affected
Brexit Dissatisfaction 49%
Cost of Living Strain 70%

Who should enrol in Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy?

Ideal Audience for Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy
A Psychoanalytic Critique of Comedy appeals to students and professionals interested in exploring the hidden depths of humor. This course is perfect for those fascinated by the interplay between the unconscious, the psyche, and comedic performance. For example, approximately X% of UK university students study the humanities (replace X with actual statistic if available), demonstrating a significant potential audience for this type of interdisciplinary approach. Individuals studying psychology, film studies, literature, or performing arts will find the course particularly relevant. Furthermore, anyone with a passion for analyzing humor, whether through stand-up, sitcoms, or even everyday jokes, will find enriching insights into the underlying mechanisms of laughter and its psychological significance. The course’s focus on Freudian and Lacanian perspectives on the unconscious mind will appeal to those seeking to further their understanding of psychoanalytic theory within a practical, relatable context.