Bringing together three of the nation’s sharpest wits – this seminar will trace how political humor evolved from colonial pamphlets and aphorisms to Gilded Age satire and early twentieth-century newspaper columns. Each man, in his own era, skewered power, and translated complex political debates into plainspoken insight that ordinary Americans could understand – and laugh at.

This program will be conducted as a discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings, and with the Professor facilitating the conversation, instead of lecturing or presenting. Registrants, therefore, are highly encouraged to read all the documents in advance and come ready with questions. Teachers will receive a Letter of Attendance at the conclusion of the seminar.