This course will pursue two main goals.  The first is to contextualize
folkloric concerns within theoretical currents that have shaped the social
sciences and humanities broadly (e.g., psychoanalysis, structuralism,
functionalism, "politics of culture").  The other will be to historically
trace and discuss in depth specific terms and ideas that have shaped
folklore research in the twentieth century.  The reading requirement will
be intense.  The other main requirement will be two papers and one or more
class presentations.