Folklore and Folklife - Courses - Spring 2004 - FOLK 009 301 - Writing Seminar in Folklore and Folklife: Writing About Regional America

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

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FOLK 009 301 Writing Seminar in Folklore and Folklife: Writing About Regional America

S. Reynolds
Seminar: Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Fulfills the College Writing Requirement
Contact: sreynold@sas.upenn.edu

Do you drink soda or pop? Ever eat grits? Are you a fan of Zydeco, or Bluegrass music? Do you know who Rip Van Winke is? Or the Loup Garou? Or Mrs. Leeds’ baby? In this course, we will explore several different regional formations as they are found throughout the United States. Critical reading of ethnographic and literary works will help us find out what makes regions distinct, how they weave a national identity, and how they work to shape our own identities. Throughout the semester we will ask difficult questions – questions like, Does it make sense to speak of a postmodern world? As these questions appear, you will create your own answers in the form of regular response/reaction papers. Time permitting, opportunities may arise for other creative projects, such as the collection of your own ethnographic field data and/or the exploration of our own region in and around Philadelphia.

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