Tradition is one of the key concepts in folkloristics and yet its meaning
has, for the most part, been taken for granted by scholars in this
discipline.  Problems arise when different folklorists define the concept
differently and sometimes employ it in contradicting ways.  This seminar
will attempt an in-depth study of this concept, beginning with Unit I with
an attempt to understand the place of tradition in the discipline.  Unit II
consists of guest presentations from individuals both in and out of the
discipline of folkloristics concerning their personal definitions of this
concept.  Unit III will consist of class discussions which goal will be to
attempt an updated, working definition of tradition for our time.  There are
three ultimate goals of the seminar, which are:  1) to understand how
folklorists and other scholars have defined the concept through history; 2)
to attempt a working definition of the concept for the present; and 3) to
begin to understand in what perceptual ways the general public defines and
employs the concept in everyday social interaction.