Meets with F545.  This class will serve as an introduction to the narrative
as a broad genre of lore. Lectures will address the practical and
theoretical facets in the process of narrating and in analyzing the products
of such a process. "Classical" forms (i.e., Märchen, novelle, etc.) and
"modern" forms (i.e., "personal narrative," "urban legend," etc.) are
included. Emphasis is placed on the prose narrative (with some reference to
narrative folk poetry).

Topics treated will include: I.  History of interest in the folktale.  II.
Research tools and key concepts (e.g.: tale-type, variant, version,
redaction, rendition; episode, cf. fragment; motif/theme; motif cluster,
motif-sequence; composite-text; frame story; cycle;
Archetype/Urform/Grundform, Oikotype, Normal form, Subtype, etc.).  III.
The Genres, the folk narrative. Factors involved:  1. Form; 2. Contents; 3.
Function or Narrator's Intent; 4. Collections and collectors. (Major
collections will be treated.).  IV.
Demographic factors involved in narrating:  (e.g., gender and genre, age and
genre, etc.).  V.  Theories of origin, performance, meaning, structure,
function, etc.  VI.  The folktale in the modern world.  (The impact of media
of mass communications on the folktale, uses of tales in education, etc.)

Lectures and discussions. One term paper. Two examinations (take home).

Fulfills a COAS Arts and Humanities, Traditions and Ideas distribution
requirement.