Anthropological Folklore Fall 2004; T TH 12:00-1:15 Dr. Ellen Damsky Office: 330D Fitzelle Hall; ext. 3345 Office hours: T 3:30 - 4:30 and by appointment Course Description This course explores the discipline of folklore from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. In the first half of the course, we will look at the histories of anthropology and folklore both nationally and internationally and the ultimate rise (and demise) of their respective influences within the academy. The second half of the course will focus on “doing” folklore, i.e., venturing into the field to observe and collect cultural data. Course Requirements Attendance is required in this course. You are entitled to three absences to use in whatever way you choose; however, once you have used them, only formally excused absences (in writing) will be recognized. Informing me that you will be absent-for whatever reason-does not constitute an excused absence. Use your three absences judiciously; excessive absences (more than three) may result in withdrawal from the course or lowering of your grade. Six absences will result in failure of the course. The composition of the exams in this course (a midterm and a final) will be short answer/essay. Two written assignments (the “small” ethnography and the “big” ethnography) will be modeled after examples presented in Kutsche’s Field Ethnography. Topics for the small ethnography (2 pages) can be developed for the big ethnography (3-5 pages). Both papers require a two-page “appendix” in the form of a transcription (we will discuss this further in class). Three interviews are required for the big ethnography. You are required to meet with me at least once over the course of the semester to discuss your ethnographic topics; you are also encouraged to discuss them during class. All papers must be typed (double-spaced, at least 12 point font, unadorned type). Title pages are not necessary, although the titles themselves are. Please refer to the Student Handbook and the Undergraduate Catalogue for complete guidelines of college policies. Students are responsible for adhering to college and classroom policy. This syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for any changes that may occur. Breakdown of Grades: Midterm 25%; Small Ethnography 25%; Big Ethnography 25%; Final Exam 25%. Required Texts Bendix, Regina. The Search for Authenticity: the Formation of Folklore Studies. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1997. Kutsche, Paul. Field Ethnography: A Manual for Doing Cultural Anthropology. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1998. Zumwalt, Rosemary Levy. American Folklore Scholarship: A Dialogue of Dissent. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1988.Week 1 Th Aug 26 Intro to Course Week 2 T Aug 31 Due: Zumwalt: foreward, preface, chapters 1-3. Th Sep 2 con’t. Week 3 T Sep 7 Due: Zumwalt: Chapters 4 & 5 Th Sep 9 con’t. Week 4 T Sep 14 Due: Zumwalt, chapters 6 - end. Week 5 T Sep 21 Due: Bendix, introduction, chapters 1 Th Sep 23 Due: Bendix, chapter 2 Week 6 T Sep 28 Due: Bendix, chapters 3 - 5 Th Sep 30 con’t Week 7 T Oct 5 Due: Bendix, (Part 3, introduction) chapter 6 Th Oct 7 Due: Bendix, chapter 7 & 8 Week 8 T Oct 12 Review Th Oct 14 Review Week 9 T Oct 19 Midterm Th Oct 21 Kutsche, introduction Week 10 T Oct 26 Kutsche, The Small Field Assignments Th Oct 28 Kutsche, Private Language Week 11 T Nov 2 Kutsche, Body Language Th Nov 4 Kutsche, Ritual Week 12 T Nov 9 Due: Small Ethnography; Kutsche, The Big Ethnography Th Nov 11 con’t. Week 13T Nov 16 Kutsche, Student Illustrative Ethnography (103 - 122) Th Nov 18 Kutsche, Student Illustrative Ethnography (123-168) Week 14 T Nov 30 Kutsche, Student Illustrative Ethnography (169 - 191) Th Dec 2 con’t. Week 15 T Dec 7 Due: Big Ethnography Th Dec 9 Review Final exam: Tuesday, December 14 - 2:00 - 4:30