Two Purdue University professors are bringing a long-time international humor summer school to the Americas for the first time in its history.
The 17th International Summer School and Symposium on Humor and Laughter: Theory, Research and Applications will be hosted by Purdue July 17-22, 2017. Campus coordinators are Julia Rayz, associate professor of computer and information technology, and Victor Raskin, Distinguished Professor of English and Linguistics. Rayz’s research on natural language and computers has often focused on humor, and Raskin is an editor-at-Large for HUMOR: International Journal of Humor Research.
“Studies show humor is beneficial for family members, for people who are sick. It’s beneficial for your health,” Rayz says. “Some people study humor because they think if they understand humor, they understand how the brain functions. . . . In a way, it is an essential part of the human condition and behavior.”
Rayz says the intensive, five-day experience is ideal for graduate and undergraduate students as well as community members who like learning about new topics. Researchers from around the world will be presenting and learning alongside them.
The school will feature 25 lectures from experts in the field. Organizers will keep the overall enrollment small to provide meaningful interactive and hands-on experiences for all participants. “Given the traditionally multinational nature of the participants, the ever-present topic of humor comparison and its dependence on culture will come up in discussions,” Raskin says.
“We are hoping to attract students from all disciplines – you have to take a lot of disciplines into account when you are analyzing humans or building a system to help or interact with humans,” Rayz says. A few hours of the school will be dedicated to student presentations. They will be able to discuss ideas for projects or a thesis and receive feedback.
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance, and professionals will earn continuing education credits.
A few scholarships are available for students. They should register for the school by April 1 to be considered.
More information about the school and registration is on the school website.
The school is sponsored by the Purdue Polytechnic Institute Office of Globalization and the College of Liberal Arts.