Pre-requisites
There is no prior knowledge needed for students to follow this lecture.
Explanation of activity
The strategic use of humor for spreading propaganda and disinformation (case studies, e.g. Soviet cartoon journals and how they worked, Belarusian political humor as a tool for constantly reminding people how dangerous it is to misbehave).
Counter-humor: grassroots and institutional attempts to combat misinformation with the help of humor (social media groups bringing activists together to identify and combat misinformation online and offline – and how humor is instrumental in their activities; about humor as a tool Ukrainian officials and ordinary Ukrainians use for public democracy and for combatting Russian propaganda).
Teacher materials
Relevant reading to understand the materials:
- N. Holm 2017. Humour as Politics The Political Aesthetics of Contemporary Comedy. Springer
- Smith, C., & Voth, B. (2002). The Role of Humor in Political Argument: How “Strategery” and “Lockboxes” Changed a Political Campaign. Argumentation and Advocacy, 39(2), 110–129.
Further reading to further develop the activity/understanding of the topic:
- Klumbytė, N 2011. Political Intimacy Power, Laughter, and Coexistence in Late Soviet Lithuania East European Politics and Societies 25/4, 658-677
- Bitterly, T. B. 2022. Humor and power. Curr Opin Psychol 43:125-128.
Student Materials
- Risky Business: Political Jokes under Repressive Regimes Author(s): Elliott Oring Source: Western Folklore, Vol. 63, No. 3 (Summer, 2004), pp. 209-236
Assessing and Evaluation
Seminar Risky Business: Political Jokes under Repressive Regimes Author(s): Elliott Oring Source: Western Folklore, Vol. 63, No. 3 (Summer, 2004), pp. 209-236
- Understanding of Key Concepts – The student demonstrates a clear grasp of the main ideas, arguments, and themes presented in the text.
- Critical Analysis – The student engages with the text critically, identifying underlying assumptions, biases, and implications.
- Use of Evidence – The student supports their interpretations with relevant examples or references from the text.
- Ability to Connect Ideas – The student relates the text to broader theoretical concepts, real-world applications, or previous discussions.
- Clarity of Expression – The student articulates their thoughts coherently, using precise language and structured arguments.
Modulations
One could consider a homework assignment where students create both a humor-joke used in information influence and a counter-strategic humor-joke.Discussion could focus on the contextual conditions that determine whether a joke is successful or unsuccessful.
