What makes some jokes so funny? Is comedy just an outlet for escapism, or can laughter effect real social change? In this course, we will approach the topic of comedy from every angle, while also keeping the humor alive. We will read philosophies and theories of comedy, satirical newspapers, and social histories of stand-up. We will watch comedic movies, TV shows, Internet memes, viral videos, and talk about them. And, of course, we will write and perform our own comedy in the classroom. By studying the history and formations of comedy - from the devices of funny gags, to the social politics of laughing bodies - we will appreciate the immense power and influence that these forces of hilarity hold over all of us, as well as their untapped potentials to help us understand the past, to navigate the present, and to reimagine the future.