COMM 4455 Comedy Studies Seminar
Satisfies one of two writing intensive courses required within the Communication major. Restricted to Juniors and Seniors. This course surveys major theories of comedy and applies them to the world of contemporary media. Students will study major thinkers in the field of comedy, talk to creators of comedy, and analyze a wide range of media ranging from silent cinema to contemporary sitcoms to the latest in social media. Students will write a research paper that combines theories of comedy with the economics of media in order to understand how comedy creates both laughs and profits while also playing a key role in contemporary politics and society.
Course overview
- Department
- Communication
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall, Periodically in the Spring
Requirements fulfilled
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.10 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.34 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 6
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Matthew Sienkiewicz | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 9 of 11 |
| Spring 2025 | Matthew Sienkiewicz | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 14 of 15 |
| Spring 2024 | Matthew Sienkiewicz | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 10 of 14 |
| Spring 2023 | Brett Ingram | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | — | 11 of 16 |
| Spring 2023 | Matthew Sienkiewicz | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 10 of 16 |
| Spring 2022 | Brett Ingram | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 9 of 17 |
| Fall 2021 | Matthew Sienkiewicz | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1–3 hrs/week | 5 of 14 |