Class Twelve – April 30

Class Slides – Humor, Satire, Music

Final Project Assigned

HUMOR AND SATIRE

Key questions for class:

How can humor and satire help us understand the world and each other?

When, if ever, do humor and satire go too far?

Humor and satire make us laugh but can also make us think. They can also offend and make people uncomfortable. In this lesson, we will talk about the power of laughter to help us discuss difficult topics and what happens when not everyone gets the joke. 

Bonus reading:

MUSIC IS MEDIA

Key questions for class:

Why is music so powerful? 

What impact can music have on social change? 

When we think about our relationship to media, we often forget that music is media! For many, music is the medium they spend more time with than any other. For this lesson, we will dive into how music has impacted society and how our music choices impact our daily lives. 

HOMEWORK

Review the following:

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars 1 mn 23 scs

The Slap, A Breakdown 4 mn 11 scs

Will Smith and Chris Rock’s history: what led to the Oscars slap? (The Week)

Will Smith’s slap and Oscars ban, briefly explained (Vox)

Jada Pinkett Smith Shouldn’t Have to Take a Joke. Either Should You. (Roxane Gay)

Respond to the following and deliver them by Monday, May 5 at 11:59 pm.

1. Share your thoughts and reaction about this Oscars incident including what led up to it. (Do you think Chris Rock’s joke was funny? What are your thoughts on Will Smith’s response? Do you think the Academy’s response was appropriate? 
2. What are your thoughts on this point Roxane Gay makes? Do you think she’s making a strong point here? Why or why not?  “It should go without saying that comedians are free to say what they please. Long live creative license and free speech. But it should be obvious that the targets of jokes and insults have every right to react and response. There is a strange idea that there is nobility in tolerating or, better yet, enjoying humor that attacks who you are, what you do or how you look – that with free speech comes the obligation to turn the other cheek, rise above, and laugh it all off…if you can’t laugh along, you are humorless. You’re thin-skinned. You’re a problem.” 
3. What do you think about Roxane Gay’s piece overall? What resonates most with you from her essay?

EXTRA CREDIT – FOR WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT GRADE

DUE FRIDAY MAY 9 BY 11:59 PM

EXPLORE ONE OF THESE TOPICS

Ticketmaster and AntiTrust 

The Government Takes on Ticketmaster (podcast)

The Emails at the Heart of the Government’s Ticketmaster Case (article)

AI and Music

The Ballad of Deepfake Drake (podcast)

Who Owns a Song Created by A.I.? (article)