Comedies are about transformations and this course itself is meant to be a transformative journey through the comic literary genre in Western literature. Together, we will explore the key motifs and themes in classic comic literature spanning the period from the ancient world up to modern times. In this class, we will learn how to define a comedy, learn how to identify key works of literature as comedies, and study the main themes present in comic works of literature. Along the way we will see how the gospel narratives of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration can be witnessed in comedies ranging from the ancient Greek comedian Aristophanes' The Clouds to the modern cultural satirist Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. All of this will be studied with a view to seeing how the gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed and continues to transform literature, society, and culture.
- Teacher: Laura Groves