Center for Folklore Studies

Course Syllabi

English 270: Introduction to Folklore

This course is designed as an introduction to folklore studies. During the first part of the term we will concentrate mostly on key concepts, classic genres, and research methodology. The remainder of the term will be spent exploring some of the ways that folklore is mobilized for expressive, political, and economic ends in our global society.

Course Texts

All of the required texts are available electronically. In other words, you will not need to purchase any books for this course, but you will need to download and print the reading assignments—a point which bears repeating: print the reading assignments so that you can refer to them during the lecture.

Course Requirements

This course requires a substantial amount of reading and research, so plan your schedule accordingly. A quiz will be administered at the beginning of the class period to test your knowledge of that day’s reading assignment(s). There will be no make-up quizzes for students who arrive late or are absent, regardless of the circumstances.

You will contribute to what we learn about how folklore works by doing field research on a subject of your choosing, and by regularly reporting on your research and analysis during class. Your research project will culminate in an eight to ten-page paper of publishable quality.

The final exam will cover the readings, lectures, and class discussions.

Grades

The reading quizzes, research project, and final exam will be graded based on a scale that includes pluses and minuses. As a rule, “A” work is excellent; “B” work is very good; “C” work is good; “D” work satisfies the objectives in the lowest acceptable manner, and “E” spells trouble. You must complete all of the assignments in order to pass this course.

Final grades will be based on the following:
Reading quizzes: 50% (Best 10 @ 5% ea.)
Research project: 25%
Final exam: 25%

If you have any questions about my expectations or your progress, the best time to talk with me face-to-face is during my office hours, though I’m glad to take appointments if your schedule conflicts with mine. The best way to contact me is by email. Or you may call me at home—Really! It’s okay to call as long as it is not during ‘The O.C.’ or ‘The Shield’ (or later than 10:00 p.m.).

Plagiarism Plagiarism is the representation of another’s works or ideas as one’s own: it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing of another person's work, and/or the unacknowledged use of another person's ideas. All cases of suspected plagiarism and/or the use of unauthorized materials will be reported to the Committee on Academic Misconduct.
Disabilities If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, speak with me about your needs or contact Disability Services at 292-3307 and ask a counselor to contact me.

The Daily Grind

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Research Project Components

1. Project Proposal
   Introduce your research project, describe what you already know about the location, situation, and subject(s), discuss how you plan to proceed, and what you expect to learn or accomplish.
2. Field Research
   Choose the approach that best suits your project:
3. Transcription
   Describe the context of the interaction as well as your observations, characterize the participants, transcribe the recording, and discuss your impressions.
4. Field Notes
   Map the physical space, describe the situation or event, characterize the participants, recount their actions and interactions in detail, and discuss your impressions.
5. Analysis
   Analyze your data according to the theory or approach modeled in one or more of the course readings.
6. Self-Reflection
   Reflect on the research process: describe your original research goals, discuss what happened, and compare what you “knew” at the outset to what you know now.
7. Final Paper
   8-10 pages, dbl-spaced, plus all supporting data, documents, and permissions.

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