Topic: Ethnic and Immigrant Folklore

This class meets second eight weeks. It is taught in English.
The class meets with GER-E 362, WEUR-W 406 and WEUR-W 605.

In this course we will examine some of the specifics of the
Scandinavian societies, as they are revealed through the development
of their folklore. What is unique about the cultures of Norway, Sweden
and Denmark? How has it been expressed in the culture of the common
people? How have traditions started and how have they transformed over
the centuries? What happened to them when they migrated to the “New
World”? Using the theoretical framework of folklore studies we will
examine examples of both ethnic and immigrant oral and material folk
culture. Through the discussion of Scandinavian and
Scandinavian-American folktales, jokes, songs, architecture, crafts
and food this course will ultimately address the riddle of the human
being. The readings will consist of one book and one course packet
containing texts, scholarly articles and images. We will also view a
couple of films. The final grade will be based on three response
papers, a final exam, a final paper, regular class attendance, and
participation in the class discussions.

Texts:
*Christiansen, Reidar. Ed. Folktales of Norway, The University of
Chicago press, 1968, ISBN: 9780226105109
*Course reader

Films:
*Norwegian Folk Art: The Migration of Tradition
*The Emigrants, Dir. Vilhelm Moberg