Folk Studies Course Offerings

For a list of all courses and course descriptions, view the Graduate Catalog. 

SPRING 2024
*FLK 275 Supernatural Folklore**
*FLK 276 Introduction to Folklore **
*FLK 280 Cultural Diversity in U.S. **
*FLK 342 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean 
*FLK 373 Folklore and the Media ** 
FLK 377 African American Folklore
*FLK 388 Foodways **
FLK 470  Museum Procedures and Preservation Techniques 
FLK 480  Women's Folklife 

FALL 2023
*FLK 275 Supernatural Folklore
*FLK 276 Introduction to Folklore **
*FLK 280 Cultural Diversity in U.S. ** 
*FLK 373 Folklore and the Media ** 
*FLK 388 Foodways **
FLK 399 Field Methods in Ethnography
FLK 430 Oral History
FLK 464 Vernacular Architecture

 

 *Colonnade Program courses
**Web version available

FLK 275 SUPERNATURAL FOLKLORE 
An investigation of traditional beliefs concerning unverifiable phenomena, including superstition, traditional healing, divination, and witchcraft. Current historical, philosophical, anthropological and folkloristic theories are covered.

 

FLK 276 INTRODUCTION TO FOLK STUDIES (required for Folklore minor)
An introduction to the study of folk tradition in different contexts, focusing on the concepts of folk group, cultural relativism, fieldwork, meaning and function, and the genres of folk narrative, folksong, folk custom and traditional material culture.

 

FLK 280 CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE U.S.

Understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the multicultural nature of American society. Emphasis on the varieties of cultural expression, custom and world view practiced by regional, ethnic, racial and sectarian cultures.

 

FLK 281 ROOTS OF SOUTHERN CULTURE 

Examination of Southern folklore and folklife as part of the foundation of contemporary Southern culture.

 

FLK 330 CULTURAL CONNECTIONS AND DIVERSITY

Service learning course that examines the diversity of American culture and engages students in activities to develop skills in working with a variety of cultural groups.

 

FLK 340 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF LATIN AMERICA

Study of the history and development of present cultures in Latin America with emphasis on economics, politics, religion, folklife and world view of indigenous, peasant and urban peoples. Cross-listed with ANTH 340.

 

FLK 341 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF ASIA  

Study of the cultures of South, East and Southeast Asia with emphasis on origins, prehistoric and historic migrations, ecology, and subsistence patterns, and the origin and evolution of the major civilizations of India, China, Japan and Vietnam. Topics include kinship and the family, religion, social organization, gender, economy, colonialism and independence, globalization and development, and maintenance of traditions in modern contexts. Cross-listed with ANTH 341.

 

FLK 342 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF THE CARIBBEAN 
Examination of the variety of cultural practices and social conditions found in modern-day Caribbean societies with attention to historical roots. Topics include, but are not limited to, definition of the region, religious practices, festivals, musical traditions, migration and everyday social life and conditions.  Cross-listed with ANTH 342.

 

FLK 345 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF NATIVE NORTH AMERICA

Survey of the cultures of the original peoples of North America, with emphasis on the ethnographic present. Cross-listed with ANTH 345.

 

FLK 350 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF AFRICA

Survey of the cultures of Africa, with emphasis on historical development and contemporary cultural diversity. Cross-listed with ANTH 350.

 

FLK 371 URBAN FOLKLORE

Varieties and characteristics of urban American folklore with emphasis on legends, customs, beliefs, and other lore of today's regional, occupational, and ethnic groups.

 

FLK 373 FOLKLORE AND THE MEDIA

Examines contemporary forms of folklore; popular culture and mass and electronic media, the ways they interact, the complex ways they shape communication and creativity, ways that folk communities form around mass culture (e.g., fan cultures and gamers) and on the internet, and such issues as ideology, corporate or government dominance of the media, representation of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, social class, and other hot topics.

 

FLK 377 AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKLORE

Oral, written, and material folk traditions of African-Americans, with emphasis on the United States and the Caribbean.

 

FLK 378 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FOLKLORE 

Folklife of southern Appalachia, as reflected in the material folk culture, in traditional folk customs and practices, legends, anecdotes, songs, language, and literature. Cross-listed with ANTH 378.

 

FLK 379 TOPICS IN FOLKLORE

A consideration of special topics to acquaint students with significant problems and current issues in folklore. Content will vary from time to time according to the instructor and the needs of the students.

 

FLK 388 FOODWAYS 
An exploration of the role of food in culture with particular emphasis on ethnographic approaches to food traditions.

 

FLK 399 FIELD METHODS IN ETHNOGRAPHY (required for Folklore minor)

An examination of the history, theory, techniques, and ethics of ethnographic fieldwork, including practical fieldwork experience. Cross-listed with ANTH 399.

 

FLK 400 ETHNOMUSICOLOGY 
Survey of the concepts and methods of ethnomusicology. Topics include history of ethnomusicology, transcription and analysis, musicians, musical instruments, music acculturation, and the functions of music in society. Cross-listed with ANTH 400.

 

FLK 410 AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC 

A survey of selected musical styles created and developed by African-Americans from the 17th to the 20th century: spirituals, blues, popular music forms (e.g. soul, reggae, rap music). Emphasis will be placed on the historical factors and socio-cultural trends that influenced the development of African-American music. Cross-listed with ANTH 410.

 

FLK 430 ORAL HISTORY

Methods and theories of oral history, legal and ethical considerations, uses and planning of local oral history projects.

 

FLK 434 HISTORIC PRESERVATION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES 

An overview of historic preservation methods and practice. The course will include an overview of the historic preservation movement in the United States and an examination of preservation law and methodology. A field project is required. Cross-listed with GEOG 434.

 

FLK 445 AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY 

An interdisciplinary survey of American architectural history, including trends and styles, architect designed and manufactured structures and elements, and the social history of American architecture.

 

FLK 462 FOLKLORE AND MEDICINE 

This course examines the role of traditional culture in shaping attitudes and behavior related to sickness, health, and healing. Institutional, alternative, and informal medical settings are discussed. (cross-listed with Public Health, PH 462.)

 

FLK 464 VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE 

The forms, functions, and styles of buildings constructed according to custom from local materials to meet individual and cultural preferences.

 

FLK 470 MUSEUM PROCEDURES AND PRESERVATION TECHNQUES 

Essential aspects of museums and of preservation, i.e., collecting, preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting material culture. Cross-listed with ANTH 470.

 

FLK 477 FOLK ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

Folklife research in selected world culture groups, with emphasis on folk crafts, technology, and architecture in the United States prior to their absorption into industrialization. Special reference to northwest European antecedents, sources, and parallels.

 

FLK 478 FOLKLORE AND LITERATURE

Takes an interdisciplinary focus on the relationship between folklore, literature and film.  Considers folklore as literature, and at the uses and transformations of various kinds of folklore in literature.  

 

FLK 479 DIRECTED INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN FOLKLORE 

Supervised individual study directed by a member of the Folk Studies faculty. (Course pass required)

 

FLK 480 WOMEN'S FOLKLIFE 

The various images and roles of women in the U.S. and selected world cultures as reflected in folklife materials such as narratives, beliefs, ballads, rhymes, games, customs, and folk arts.

 

FLK 489 INTERNSHIP IN FOLK STUDIES

Practical out-of-classroom experience in a supervised work situation with a cooperating business, industry, social or governmental agency emphasizing application of advanced knowledge and skills in folk studies. (Course pass required).

 

Explorations (Arts & Humanities)

FLK 275 SUPERNATURAL FOLKLORE 
An investigation of traditional beliefs concerning unverifiable phenomena, including superstition, traditional healing, divination, and witchcraft. Current historical, philosophical, anthropological and folkloristic theories are covered.

FLK 276 INTRODUCTION TO FOLK STUDIES 
An introduction to the study of folk tradition in different contexts, focusing on the concepts of folk group, cultural relativism, fieldwork, meaning and function, and the genres of folk narrative, folksong, folk custom and traditional material culture.

Connections (Social & Cultural)

FLK 280 CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE U.S.

Understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the multicultural nature of American society. Emphasis on the varieties of cultural expression, custom and world view practiced by regional, ethnic, racial and sectarian cultures.

FLK 330 CULTURAL CONNECTIONS AND DIVERSITY

Service learning course that examines the diversity of American culture and engages students in activities to develop skills in working with a variety of cultural groups.

Connections (Local to Global)

FLK 373 FOLKLORE AND THE MEDIA

Examines contemporary forms of folklore; popular culture and mass and electronic media, the ways they interact, the complex ways they shape communication and creativity, ways that folk communities form around mass culture (e.g., fan cultures and gamers) and on the internet, and such issues as ideology, corporate or government dominance of the media, representation of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, social class, and other hot topics.

FLK 388 FOODWAYS 
An exploration of the role of food in culture with particular emphasis on ethnographic approaches to food traditions.

FLK 371 URBAN FOLKLORE

Varieties and characteristics of urban American folklore with emphasis on legends, customs, beliefs, and other lore of today's regional, occupational, and ethnic groups.

FLK 277 WORLD MUSIC 
A cultural and functional analysis of traditional musical genres developed in world areas: Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Emphasis will be placed on musical styles, performance practices, aesthetics, and instruments. Cross-listed with ANTH 277. 

FLK 280 CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE U.S.

Understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the multicultural nature of American society. Emphasis on the varieties of cultural expression, custom and world view practiced by regional, ethnic, racial and sectarian cultures.

 

FLK 350 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF AFRICA

Survey of the cultures of Africa, with emphasis on historical development and contemporary cultural diversity. Cross-listed with ANTH 350.

 

FLK 371 URBAN FOLKLORE

Varieties and characteristics of urban American folklore with emphasis on legends, customs, beliefs, and other lore of today's regional, occupational, and ethnic groups.

 

FLK 377 AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKLORE

Oral, written, and material folk traditions of African-Americans, with emphasis on the United States and the Caribbean.

 

FLK 410 AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC 

A survey of selected musical styles created and developed by African-Americans from the 17th to the 20th century: spirituals, blues, popular music forms (e.g. soul, reggae, rap music). Emphasis will be placed on the historical factors and socio-cultural trends that influenced the development of African-American music. Cross-listed with ANTH 410.