Come learn with us. Come laugh with us.
At Emerson, we believe that great comedy stems from a huge bank of knowledge: to make the world laugh, you must first understand what makes it tick. While our BFA in Comedic Arts sustains an intense focus on comedy, it remains rooted in the liberal arts and exposes you to a wide range of perspectives. We foster well-rounded triple-threats: writers, performers, and producers who are awake and aware, and whose comprehension of the world affords them the ability to comment through humor.
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, explore experiential learning opportunities with Emerson LA, such as Funny or Die.
- 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. This year our recipient is 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 |
| TH 122 | Introduction to Acting: Comedic Arts |
| PA 125 | Performing Improvisational Comedy |
| CA 200 | Modes of Comedy Production |
| VM 222 | Writing for Television |
| CA 300 | Theories of Humor and Laughter |
Choose three of the following: 12 Credits
| Writing Production and Performance | |
|---|---|
| PA 321 | Topics in Comedic Performances |
| PA 325 | Performing Sketch Comedy |
| CA 333 | Elements of Sitcom Production |
| VM 321 | Writing the Tween Series |
| VM 322 | Comedy Writing for Television |
| VM 326 | Writing for Animation |
| VM 327 | Writing for Web Series |
| VM 385 | Comedy Writing for Late Night |
| VM 386 | Writing Comedic Movies |
| WR 322 | Comedy Writing: Stand Up |
| WR 323 | Comedy Writing: Sketch Troupe |
Choose one course from each of the following areas: 12 Credits
| Studies | |
|---|---|
| CA 410 | Craft and Contemporary Comedic Literature |
| LI 372 | Shakespearean Comedy |
| VM 403 | Seminar in Comedic Studies |
| VM 412 | American Film Comedy |
| 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) |
