Above class meets with Folk-F617.

This course deals with narrative folk poetry in Middle Eastern Arab
communities. The genres of this category of expressive folk culture
are compared to corresponding Euro-American counterparts (e.g., the
English and Scottish ballad, epics, etc.).

I. Introduction: The Folk Narrative and its Forms in the Era of Mass
communications:
Key Concepts Associated with Genres and Tale Typology,
Factors involved in Typological and Genre Studies (e.g., (Form,
Contents, Narrator's Intent, Media of dissemination, etc.)
(elaborated in pt. V, below)
The poet, balladeer, bard, etc. as culture broker and agent of
change.

II. Narrative Folk Poetry:
Epic, "Epic-romance" (sîrah), Ballad. The form,
structure and contents.

III. Thematic Characteristics of the Ballad: Non-Religious and
Religious
The Family: the Traditional Structure of Sentiments;
Romantic Lovers; Nationalistic Themes in the Modern State; Societal
events--representation of community ideals (the Conduct of the
Native-urbanite: 'Real-man', and Other Aspects of the Good Man);
Humorous Ballads

IV. Religious Ballads (and Epics?)
Prophets; Other Prophets and the Virgin; The Prophet's
Companions; Arch-saints and Saints; Christian "Martyrs" and Saints.

V. Structural and Stylistic Characteristics
Impersonal presentation, concentration on one
episode, "Leaping and lingering," Beginning "in medias
res," "Repetition," (eg., "Climax of relatives," "Speech and
action"), etc.

VI. Theories of ballad origins: Minstrel Theory, Broken-down Epic,
Broken-down Romance, Communal Origin, Communal Re-creation,
Formulaic Improvisation

VII. Conclusions.

Two take-home exams
One term paper

Fulfills COLL Arts & Humanities, CSA