FRS 003 — Sec. 001 —
(1 unit) — CRN 81449 — T/R 12:10-1:00pm — 225 Wright
The Cultural Politics of South Park
Instructor: Jon Rossini, Department of Theatre & Dance, College of
Letters & Science
Description: In this course we will be critically analyzing episodes
from the animated comedy South Park whose interventions in contemporary
cultural and political debate engaged explicitly in ways enabled by the animated
format. Over the course period we will be exploring several episodes of the show
in detail, using the material as a jumping off point for an engaged critical discussion
with the overall goal of ascertaining if South Park is articulating a sustained
and coherent political position or is creating tactical satire depending upon
the specific issue at hand. Brian C. Anderson's recent book South Park Conservatives:
Revolt Against Liberal Media Bias articulates the conservative agenda of
the program while Frank Rich's New York Times Op-Ed piece "Conservatives
[Heart] 'South Park'" offers a counter-argument regarding their libertarian
political position. In the process of understanding the way issues are framed
on South Park we will to get a clearer understanding of the way rhetorical
frames work to shape the nature of representation and the scope of debate. There
are four primary goals for student learning. 1) To begin to foster analytical
skills to allow students to critically engage with the media. 2) To encourage
students to begin independent investigation into contemporary cultural issues.
3) To begin to understand the way representation is framed visually and rhetorically,
and 4) To explore the nature and role of political satire.
Format: Every two meetings the class will discuss two episodes
of South Park, both the political and cultural issues raised in the episode as
well as the specific representational choices of the episode. One episode will
be watched as a group in class and the second episode will be watched outside
of class (DVD's available in Hart Hall). Each meeting the discussion will be led
by two students who will be responsible for providing written polemical readings
of the episodes under discussion circulated electronically before the meeting
in order to allow students to engage verbally and in writing. They will also be
responsible for directing students to another relevant print or web resource that
engages with issues that arise from the episodes and helps frame the debate. At
the conclusion of each week we will screen one of the episodes to be discussed
the following week. In addition to preparation for leading discussions and the
oral presentation (as a part of the discussion process) and responding in written
form to the prompts of the discussion leaders, students will individually (or
in groups of their choosing) produce an outline for a South Park episode that
specifically addresses their choice in framing the issue(s) at hand. Grading:
Oral Presentation and Discussion Leading (35%); Participation in Discussion (30%);
Episode Outline Project (35%).
About the Instructor: Professor Rossini teaches courses on Performance
Studies, History of Theatre and Dance, and Race and Performance in the Department
of Theatre and Dance. His primary research is in the intersections of ethnicity
and theater, specifically contemporary Latina/o Theater, and he is fascinated
by the intersections of identity, politics, and performance, on stage and in everyday
life. He is currently completing a book on Latina/o Theater.