THEA 341 History and Analysis of Modern American Comedy This course is an overview of the history of modern American comedy tracing its roots in Western comedy traditions to present day. Through readings, viewings, research, written and creative assignments, students will develop an understanding of how social, historical, and economic contexts affect comedic performance and apply their understanding of these contexts to the creation of original comic work. This course is part of a set of connected courses that comprise the Comedy Studies semester that takes place at The Second City and material created in this course may be used in the showcase performances held in a Second City theatre that take place at the end of the semester.