Folklore and Folklife - Courses - Fall 2005 - FOLK 101 001: Introduction to Folklore

For more information about Folklore and Folklife,at UPenn, contact Professor Dan Ben-Amos at dbamos@sas.upenn.edu.

For assistance with the Folklore and Folklife website, contact Linda Lee at lindalee@sas.upenn.edu.

FOLK 101 001: Introduction to Folklore
Dan Ben-Amos
Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00-12:00
General Requirement II: History and Tradition
Contact: dbamos@sas.upenn.edu

Far from being hidden or 'dying' folklore thrives in public and private spheres both in everyday life and in extraordinary situations. This course will explore spaces times and groups in which folklore materials can be observed. Individual and communal creativity as well as continuity and change will emerge as important concepts as we look at the ways in which people communicate with each other not only through narratives proverbs sermons and jokes but also through displays of the body of house and street the exchange of food and the performance of music and dance during festivals and processions. The incorporation of folklore in tourist attractions school education programs government projects advertisement and museums calls for re-examination of the values and meaning of folklore in contemporary society especially in a world that is celebrating globalization and is concerned with multiculturalism and identity politics.

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