Come learn with us. Come laugh with us.
At Emerson, we believe that great comedy stems from a huge bank of knowledge. The BFA in Comedic Arts sustains an intense focus on comedy, while remaining rooted in the liberal arts by exposing you to a wide range of perspectives.
Our BFA in Comedic Arts is the first degree of its kind in the country. You’ll become immersed in a hands-on and multi-faceted exploration of comedy, learning to practice the craft while exploring its historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions as a global art form.
In addition to your coursework with outstanding faculty, you can:
- Join one of the many Comedy Troupes and Groups, and explore professional learning opportunities through Emerson LA and apply for internships with places like Funny or Die, or the Groundlings Theater & School.
- Take advantage of global opportunities with London: From Shakespeare to Stand-Up or one of the many Emerson Around the World programs.
- You can also learn about comedy from scholars and professionals by attending events, symposiums, and master classes sponsored by The Center for Comedic Arts.
- Use the American Comedy Archives to gain access to a treasure trove of primary source material including oral histories from the country’s funniest people, including a broad network of Emerson alumni.
- See a list of our special guests and read up on the latest news and events connected to Comedic Arts at Emerson.
- Attend our annual Ready Wit in Comedy Award Ceremony, presented to a comedian whose work advances social justice. Our most recent recipient was Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of BoJack Horseman.
Curriculum
Our Comedic Arts curriculum integrates courses in writing, performance, production, and comedic studies to immerse you in a hands-on and multi-faceted exploration of comedy. You will learn to practice the craft of comedy while exploring its historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions as a global art form. We draw our courses and distinguished faculty from the departments of Visual and Media Arts; Performing Arts; and Writing, Literature and Publishing. After striking a balance between writing, performance, and production in your first two years, you may choose to concentrate your studies in one or more of these arenas beginning in your junior year. The table below outlines the course requirements for a major in Comedic Arts.
Course Requirements
Every Comedic Arts major is required to take the following classes: 32 credits
| Comedic Arts Core | |
|---|---|
| CA 100 | Why Did the Chicken? Fundamentals of Comedic Storytelling |
| CA 102 | Evolution of Comedy I |
| CA 103 | Evolution of Comedy II |
| PA 121 | Introduction to Comedic Acting: Text, Ensemble, and Embodied Play |
| PA 125 | Performing Improvisational Comedy |
| CA 200 | Modes of Comedy Production |
| VM 222 | Writing for Television |
| CA 300 | Theories of Humor and Laughter |
Every Comedic Arts major is required to take 12 credits (3 classes) of upper-level courses in writing, production, and/or performance. Some of the courses that meet these requirements are:
| Writing | |
|---|---|
| VM 220 | Writing the Short Subject |
| VM 321 | Writing the Tween Series |
| VM 322/WR 323 | Comedy Writing (Comedic Writing for Television; Stand Up; Sketch Troupe) |
| VM 326 | Writing for Animation |
| VM 327 | Writing the Web Series |
| VM 385 | Comedy Writing for Late Night |
| VM 386 | Writing Comedic Movies |
| VM 386 | Writing the Comedic Monologue |
| CA 420/VM 420 | Topics in Comedic Arts (Creating the Comedic Series; Advanced Sketch Comedy Writing; The Art of the Pitch - Developing and Selling and Original Comedy Series) |
| VM 423 | Writing Television Pilots |
| VM 429 | The Comedy Writer’s Room |
| Production | |
|---|---|
| CA 333 | Elements of Sitcom Production |
| CA 320 | Topics in Comedy: (Comedic Playwriting; ComEx! Comedic Arts Showcase) |
| VM 400 | Partnered Studio/Topics in Visual and Media Arts (Creative Careers in Television) |
| CA 420 | Topics in Comedic Arts (Advanced Sketch Writing and Performance for Television) |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| PA 321 | Topics in Comedic Performance (Mastering Comedic Scene Work; Advanced Improv; Performing Physical Comedy) |
| PA 325 | Performing Sketch Comedy |
| CA 420 | Topics in Comedic Arts (Creating Characters and Solo Performance) |
Every Comedic Arts major is required to take one upper level Studies Course (4 credits). Some of the courses that meet these requirements are:
| Studies | |
|---|---|
| LI 372 | Shakespearean Comedy |
| VM 403 | Seminar in Comedic Studies (Border Crossing and Comedy; Norman Lear; Queer Film Comedy and Camp Sensibility; Queer TV Comedy Since Ellen Came Out: 1997-the present; Global Chaplin; Nasty Women & American Television Comedy; Gender and Comedy–Unruly Women, Chick Flicks, Broad Cities, and Feminist Killjoys) |
| CA 410/LI 410 | Craft and Contemporary Comedic Literature |
| VM 412 | American Film Comedy |
In addition to the requirements above, students may choose to fulfill some of their required course work at the L.A. or Kasteel Well campuses, complete an internship for credit, or undertake a directed study in comedy.
In addition to the Liberal Arts and major requirements, all students are required to complete at least two courses at the 300 or 400 level from the following liberal art areas: 8 credits
| Capstone | |
|---|---|
| VM 423 | Writing Television Pilots |
| VM 429 | Comedy Writers' Room |
| CA 420 | Topics in Comedic Arts |
| CA 450 | Capstone in Comedy Writing, Performance and Production |
| CA 498 | Directed Study in Comedic Arts |
| SA 420 | Advanced Sketch Troupe |
| Electives Courses used to satisfy requirements above may not also satisfy this requirement |
|
|---|---|
| VM 403 | Seminar in Comedic Studies |
| VM 412 | American Film Comedy |
| VM 423 | Writing Television Pilots |
| VM 429 | Comedy Writers' Room |
| VM 473 | Editing Comedy Productions |
| PA 334 | Acting for Film and Television |
| CA 320 | Topics in Comedy |
| CA 400 | Partnered Studio |
| CA 420 | Topics in Comedy |
| CA 450 | Capstone in Comedy Writing, Performance and Production |
| CA 498 | Directed Study |
| CA 499 | Internship |
| Special Topics Courses | |
|---|---|
| VM 403 01 | Seminar in Comedic Studies: Norman Lear |
| VM 403 02 | Seminar in Comedic Studies: Queer TV Comedy Since Ellen Came Out: 1997 to the Present |
| VM 403 03 | Seminar in Comedic Studies: Border Crossing and Comedy |
| CA 320 | Comedic Playwriting |
| CA 420 | Creating the Comedic Series |
| CA 420 | Creating Characters and Solo Performance |
In addition to the Liberal Arts and major requirements, all students are required to complete at least two courses at the 300 or 400 level from the following liberal art areas: 8 credits
| EC Economics | |
| HI History | |
| IN Interdisciplinary Studies | |
| LI Literature | |
| PH Ethnics, Philosophy | |
| PL Political Science | |
| PS Psychology | |
| RL Religion | |
| SC Science | |
| SO Sociology | |
| TH Theatre (TH313,315) | |
| VM Visual and Media Arts (VM315, 409, 410) |
