ANTHRO 3321 - Folklore and Culture

Institution:

Temple University

Subject:

Description:

Far from being hidden or “dying,” folklore thrives in public and private spheres both in everyday life and in extraordinary situations. It is invoked in nationalist and post-colonialist practices and, lately, also in global cultural productions. This course will explore the cultural attributes and functionings of folklore in its own terms and as a part of anthropology in various spaces, times, and groups. We will begin with a brief theoretical discussion on the connection between folklore, nationalism, and ethnic and regional identity, as well as popular and mass culture. Placing special emphasis on the emergent, unofficial aspects of vernacular culture, we will then examine how different groups communicate and construct their identity through folk narratives, proverbs, and jokes; folk art; spontaneous memorials; displays of the body, yards; the exchange of food; and the performance of music and dance during festivals, parades, and processions. In light of the currency of “tradition” and “heritage” in the public sphere—in school curricula, state sponsored programs, advertisement and museums—we will also look critically at the production of culture in the context of multiculturalism and identity politics, and the often ambiguous relation established between dominant or elite cultures and unofficial, vernacular cultures. Class discussions will be conducted in a seminar style and complimented with audio-visual materials. Short research exercises will provide students with first hand experiences with the cultural-anthropologist’s craft of documenting and analyzing current folklore materials. Mode: A combination of short lectures, class discussions, screenings, and students’ presentations.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

WWW.TEMPLE.EDU

Phone Number:

(215) 204-7000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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