New FOLK/ETHNO classes fall 2013!

If you have students looking for something exciting and new, have them check out these courses, from the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology! 

 

F252 Urban Legend

Course # 33166

MW 9:05-9:55 am +discussion

Lecture location: Myers Hall 130

CASE A&H; GenEd A&H

 

Stories of Kentucky fried rats, poodles in a microwave, kidneys stolen for the human organ black market, and bizarre gang initiations, are examples of the popular narrative tradition of “urban legend”. Often macabre, fantastic, horrific and sometimes hilarious, urban legends are modern adaptations of much older stories told in daily discourse, and depicted in television, film and novels. This course explores the defining features of urban legend, their cultural history, themes and their role as cultural commentary, their cultural fascination and impact, and their popularity on the internet, in the news and in popular culture.

 

Folk-F252 African Popular Music
Course # 29594

TR 9:30-10:45 am
Location: 800 N Indiana Ave

CASE A&H; GenEd A&H

 

The study of popular music offers insight into social, political, cultural, and economic issues of a given time and space. Through an exploration of such popular music genres as Kwaito (South Africa), Taarab (Kenya and Tanzania), and kadongo kamu (Uganda) students in this course will learn: 1) How popular music serves as a site to contest, negotiate, and champion a range of scio-cultural and political issues; 2) How local and global forces influence musical preferences in specific African contexts; and 3) How, if at all, popular music can influence ways of living and being among individuals across the continent of Africa.

 

Folk-F252 The Cultural Work of Music in East Africa
Course # 14020

TR 4:00-5:15 pm

Location: Ballantine Hall 139
CASE A&H; GenEd A&H

 

This course will explore the multiple ways in which music and dance impact and influence the social, economic, and political experiences of people in East Africa. Through critical analysis of topics ranging from widespread poverty and the HIV-AIDS epidemic to genocide and political upheaval, students will develop an understanding of the multilayered roles and significance attributed to music in various East African contexts.

 

F404 Folklore & the Body

Course # 29622

TR 1:00-2:15 pm

Location: Ballantine Hall 235

CASE A&H

 

Culture shapes our bodies. From what we eat and the ways we groom to the games we play and the ways we move, our bodies exist within given traditions. This course will explore the ways that folklore partially constitutes what the body is and what the body does.

 

F420 Personal Narrative

Course # 32559

TR 4:00-5:15 pm

Location: Ballantine Hall 138

CASE A&H

 

Personal Experience Narratives are stories that we tell on a daily basis about personal and unique things that happen. Despite being personal and unique, such narratives are also traditional and patterned. This course will examine the form, structure, context, performance and nature of the personal experience narrative and related genres such as life history, memorate and autobiography.