Studies in American Humor
Scope & Guideline
Exploring the Nuances of Laughter in American Culture
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Analysis of Humor:
The journal embraces a wide range of disciplines, including literary studies, cultural studies, sociology, and film studies, to analyze humor in its various forms and contexts. - Social and Political Commentary:
Many papers explore how humor serves as a vehicle for social critique, addressing issues such as race, gender, and environmental crises, reflecting its role in civic engagement and activism. - Historical Contextualization:
The journal emphasizes the historical development of humor in America, tracing its evolution and examining its impact on societal attitudes and cultural norms. - Diverse Perspectives on Comedy:
There is a consistent focus on marginalized voices in comedy, particularly those of African Americans, women, and other underrepresented groups, highlighting their contributions to the humor landscape. - Humor as a Reflective Tool:
The journal investigates how humor reflects societal changes and challenges, particularly in relation to current events and cultural shifts.
Trending and Emerging
- Dark Humor and Climate Change:
Recent papers are increasingly addressing dark comedy as a response to pressing issues like climate change, demonstrating humor's role in coping with and critiquing societal crises. - Intersection of Humor and Activism:
There is a growing trend of examining humor as a tool for social change, with a focus on how comedic narratives can empower communities and challenge oppressive structures. - Feminist Perspectives on Humor:
Emerging discussions highlight feminist approaches to humor, exploring how women comedians and humorists navigate and subvert traditional comedic norms. - Racial and Ethnic Humor:
The exploration of humor within racial and ethnic contexts is gaining traction, focusing on how marginalized groups use humor to address identity, stereotypes, and social issues. - Humor in Digital and Social Media:
A notable increase in studies addressing the impact of digital platforms on humor dissemination and creation reflects the changing landscape of comedic expression in the age of social media.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Stand-Up Comedy:
There seems to be a declining emphasis on traditional stand-up comedy as a standalone topic, with more recent papers integrating it into broader discussions on social change and political commentary. - Historical Figures in Comedy:
Interest in historical figures of comedy, such as early vaudeville performers, appears to be less frequent, possibly overshadowed by contemporary analyses and the relevance of modern comedic forms. - Purely Theoretical Approaches:
There is a noticeable decrease in purely theoretical analyses of humor, with a shift towards more applied studies that connect humor to real-world issues and community engagement. - Nostalgic Humor:
Themes centered around nostalgia or classic comedic forms are less prevalent, reflecting a move towards examining current and emerging comedic styles that resonate more with contemporary audiences.
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