If you want a general scholarly tome that will surely challenge the PC crowd, check out "Punchlines: The case for racial, gender, and ethnic humor" , by one of my graduate mentors, Leon Rappoport. It is a new work. I have read only the preface and some of the intro but it sounds like a resource for a more daring community or campus presentation. Here is the amazon blurb: Gary Peterson
Book Description The concept of ethnic, racial, and gender humor is as sensitive a subject today as it has ever been; yet at no time in the past have we had such a quantity of this humor circulating throughout society. We can see the power of such content manifested continually in our culture's films and stand-up comedy routines, as well as on popular TV sitcoms, where Jewish, black, Asian, Hispanic, and gay characters and topics have seemingly become essential to comic scenarios. Though such humor is often cruel, it can be a source of pride and play among minorities, women, and gays. Leon Rappoport's incisive account takes an in-depth look at ethnic, racial and gender humor. Despite the polarization that is often apparent in the debates such humor evokes, the most important melting pot in this country may be the one that we enter when we share a laugh at ourselves. About the Author LEON RAPPOPORT is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Kansas State University. A prolific author of many research articles, review essays, and book chapters, he has also published books on personality, decision-making, psychohistory, and the Holocaust. His current work in humor is based on several years spent researching and teaching classes about the significance of ethnic, racial and gender humor at Kansas State University. >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/27/06 10:53 AM >>> Hello fellow TIPS-ters, I have been volunteered to give a talk on the psychology of humor (about which I know next to nothing) and also the physiology of laughter (about which I know nothing) in 2 weeks time, and I need help. Can any of you direct me toward helpful resources on this subject or share any material you have used? I am out of my depth here. Thank you! Julie Osland Assistant Professor of Psychology Wheeling Jesuit University 316 Washington Ave Wheeling, WV 26003 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
