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Have you ever heard about the man in the backseat or someone under your car waiting to slice your Achilles tendon? Such tales as these are urban legends, tales of "true" happenings passed through word of mouth, or the folklore term FOAF (friend of a friend).
IU itself has a whole history of folklore, including ghost stories about the Career Development Center, which used to be an abortion clinic. Everywhere there are urban legends, such as the "Mass Poisoning in Europe," where people in France were haunted by a false rumor for years. Throughout history there are many classic examples, including, the Odyssey, a story of a young man's journey during many mythological happenings occurred.
The links provided herein this section may surprise you. At one time you may have sworn that what you heard was true, but these field reports and websites may prove your intuitions false. Enjoy and watch your back, you never know when someone might be behind you!
"Robotics and Urban Legends" by Nevena Crawford
"Urban Legends at IU" by Lacey Gillotte
"Variations of the Ankle Slasher" by Carrie Vian
"The Impact of Urban Legends Throughout History and Around the World" by Michele Wehle
The following are urban legend narratives that students invented for a class assignment. We thought they were fun, so here they are. Click on the links to view the "legends."
"The Legend of the Jordan River" by Rebecca Drolen
"Dorm Room Menace" by Lacey Gillotte
"Anthrax Scare" by Jenny Hettenbach
"Melodramatic Urban Legend" by Peter Voakes
Selected links:
The AFU & Urban Legends Archive A searchable database of urban legends in over twenty categories. Another searchable database with thirty categories including "Rumors of War."