In “Political Parody and Public Culture,” Robert Hariman outlines four aspects (functions, characteristics) of political parody that serve a democratic society
Prompt: In “Political Parody and Public Culture,” Robert Hariman outlines four aspects (functions, characteristics) of political parody that serve a democratic society. Discuss one of these four aspects, explaining what it is and providing an example of that aspect as it appears in one of the SNL political sketches assigned for this week. Be sure to describe how/where the aspect appears.
Assignment in brief: Discuss one of Hariman’s parody aspects and find an example of that aspect in the sketches assigned for Tuesday.
Tips for a successful response:
Be sure to tie your discussion to the reading (quotes ok, but quoted material should take up no more than 25 words)
Provide an example from the screening
Write 100 or more words
Address the prompt
Include a page number with direct quotes
While it is theoretically possible to write a successful comment that is just 100 words long, some of us write wordier prose (including your professor) and some ideas are more complex. There is no law that says you must stop writing the moment you hit 100 words! Sometimes you may need to elaborate in your discussion for it to make sense and be specific enough to be understood.
SNL political sketche:
Week 4 Discussion Q2: Prompt: In “The State of Satire, Satire of the State,” Jones et al describe satire as a form of critique using humor, often with political dimensions. Idiocracy, the required film this week, is often classified as satire. Based on the article’s explanations of political satire, explain a) why do you think the film is understood as satire and b) what is being satirized? 9In other words, what critique(s) is the film making? What/whom is it making fun of?) Be sure to support your discussion with details from the film.
Assignment in brief: Using the assigned reading, explain why Idiocracy might be considered satire and what the film is critiquing or making fun of?
Tips for a successful response:
There isn’t one correct answer. So long as you connect the film to the concept of satire and talk about one or a few critiques the film makes.
Spend a sentence or so defining the film as satire and leave the rest of your response to discuss the film.
Be sure to tie your discussion to the reading (quotes ok, but quoted material should take up no more than 25 words)
Write 100 or more words
Address the prompt
Include a page number with direct quotes
While it is theoretically possible to write a successful comment that is just 100 words long, some of us write wordier prose (including your professor) and some ideas are more complex. There is no law that says you must stop writing the moment you hit 100 words! Sometimes you may need to elaborate in your discussion for it to make sense and be specific enough to be understood.
