Stand Up and Be Funny (PERF20001)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
Semester 1
FeesLook up fees

This subject is designed to develop self-confidence in the student, exploring humour and their innate sense of fun, to creatively explore their everyday lives, satirise the world around them, subvert and poke fun at topical issues with an awareness of cultural, gender and ethical sensitivities, and develop skills from working professional comedians in Melbourne's rich and diverse live comedy scene.

Students will be guided in useful, productive ways to observe everyday people and ordinary encounters, and recreate them into seriously funny stories that connect with audiences. Beginning with raw material, such as a concept for a character or a situation, students will discover how to begin to transform it into a five minute performance in a comedic genre of their choosing.

Students will also be encouraged to think critically and analyse productively, reflecting on comic failure and success, as well as how best to employ changes of status and even slapstick, to their advantage. The subject will cover the fundamentals of stand up, sketch, physical, musical, alternative and character comedy.

The subject is delivered through a combination of workshops, mini screening and lectures.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • discuss comedy in relation to popular culture;
  • use voice and movement to communicate comic ideas;
  • listen and respond to feedback and direction;
  • apply comedic structure to develop a short comedy routine with consideration to ethical responsibilities;
  • rehearse and perform with confidence to an audience.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • develop and implement innovative and creative ideas;
  • give and receive constructive feedback;
  • collaborate creatively with others;
  • show interest in and respect for others;
  • articulate, integrate and adapt knowledge from different domains.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation and active contribution to collaborative work and class discussions

  • 400 words (equivalent)
Throughout the teaching period10%

In class exercises, activities and performances

  • 1200 words (equivalent)
Mid teaching period30%

Written structure of routine including research notes

  • 800 words
Second half of the teaching period20%

Rehearse and perform a 5-minute routine

  • 1600 words (equivalent)
During the assessment period40%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorKat Henry
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Southbank)
    Contact hours28 hours, comprising one 2-hour workshop per week, and a 2 to 4-hour rehearsal and performance
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    Kat Henry: khenry1@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Quota

This subject has an enrolment quota of 30 students per availability, and places are limited. Places will be allocated until the quota is reached. Enrolment in this subject is not guaranteed.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025