Education

(Re)Imagining Future Worlds through Humour and Play

Module code: X6000E
Level 4
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Portfolio

This module embraces play and humour as key components of change when engaging with current and uncertain futures.

You’ll critically explore play and humour in addressing real-world issues and apply your ideas locally. Sessions use creative approaches to challenge thinking around:

• ecological issues
• digital cultures
• collective resilience.

You’ll explore how humour and play can act as critical, regenerative tools of hope.

Workshops include:

• textual analysis of political and academic satire
• ethnographic studies of online meme cultures
• critical readings from humour/play studies
• case studies such as playful protest, climate memes and humour as collective resistance.

There is no requirement to be a creative or a ‘funny’ person but there is an expectation that you’ll be open to embrace a playful disposition with your tutors and peers.

Module learning outcomes

• Analyse the role of humour and play in current and uncertain futures
• Create a digital or physical work that uses humour and/or play to communicate ideas or experiences related to global challenges
• Evaluate the impact of play and/or humour on yourself and/or others
• Reflect on your own creative and collaborative process demonstrating an awareness of your own engagement with global issues