This course introduces to beginners, especially freshmen, the
discipline of lore and the study of its fields. A broad spectrum of
topics in folklore and folklife is presented; these include: the
relationship between lore and culture; who are the folk?; and how
lore affects modern life. Genres and fields of folklore such as
proverbs, the folk narrative, folk architecture and folk healing are
described. Examples from various cultures throughout the world are
given. Major folklore theories are outlined and applied to selected
genres to clarify such issues as the functional, structural,
performance, psychological significance of lore.

Requirements: Only willingness to think.

Textbooks: R.M. Dorson, ed. Folklore and Folklife: An Introduction;
and one volume from the "Folktale of the World" Series (e.g., Egypt,
Germany, Ireland, Israel, etc.); many examples used in class are to
be found in Hasan El-Shamy's Folktales of Egypt ... with Middle
Eastern and African Parallels (1980).

The tale collection volume contains various genres of folk
narratives; these narratives reflect how culture, worldview, social
institutions and processes are expressed within the context of
traditional established forms; they also serve as examples of
specific narrative genres.

Handouts: "The Outline of Culture," "Romanticism," "Ballads."
Examinations: Three exams: (objective).
One written assignment.

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