Minor in Folklore
Studies
The Department of English and Philosophy at Arkansas State University offers an eighteen-hour undergraduate minor in folklore studies. Students who minor in this program will gain special insights into the regional and ethnic cultures of Arkansas and the Mid-South, especially the Mississippi River Delta. Those for whom a minor in folklore studies might have special appeal include majors in history, social sciences, sociology, journalism, radio-television, and elementary education.
- Minor Requirements
- Course Descriptions
ENG 3613, Introduction to Folklore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 semester hours
ENG 4643, Independent Fieldwork in Folklore . . . . . .3 semester hours
Folklore Studies Electives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 semester hours
ENG 3523, American Folklore
ENG 3633, Native American Verbal Art
ENG 3643, African-American Folklore
ENG 4613, Ballad and Folksong
ENG 4623, Mythology
ENG 4633, Material Folk Culture
ENG 3613, Introduction to Folklore. Collection, classification, and analysis of folklore, with special emphasis on oral literature (offered every fall). For a sample syllabus, click here.
ENG 3623, American Folklore. Survey of the unofficial culture which has helped to shape the American experience, with special emphasis on oral literature, conventional belief, and traditional lifeways (offered spring in odd-numbered years). For a sample syllabus click here.
ENG 3633, Native American Verbal Art. Examination of oral literature of the indigenous peoples of North America and of contemporary literature written by American Indians (offered spring in even-numbered years). For a sample syllabus click here.
ENG 3643, African-American Folklore. A study of African-American culture through New World black traditions, including oral narratives and folksongs (offered fall in even-numbered years). For a sample syllabus click here.
ENG 4613, Ballad and Folksong. Analysis and interpretation of oral poetry, especially that of the English-speaking world (offered fall in odd-numbered years). For a sample syllabus click here.
ENG 4623, Mythology. Content, structure, and belief systems of various mythologies from the perspectives of selected mythographers (offered spring in odd-numbered years). For a sample syllabus click here.
ENG 4633, Material Folk Culture. The analysis and interpretation of traditional skills, services, and art/craft objects provided in folk societies (offered spring in even-numbered years). For a sample syllabus click here.
ENG 4643, Independent Fieldwork in Folklore. Development and implementation of a research agenda, using standard field methods in folklore studies such as the tape-recorded interview and participant observation. Prerequisites: ENG 3613 and permission of instructor (TBA).
- Faculty
Richard Allen Burns (Ph.D., University of Texas; rburns@astate.edu) specializes in the study of African-American folklore and of material folk culture (especially that of the Mississippi River Delta). Recent publications include essays in Juneteenth (annual publication of the Texas Folklore Society), American Folklore: An Encyclopedia (Garland Press), Southern Folklore, African Folklore: An Encyclopedia (Routledge), and Arkansas Review. He also teaches in ASU's Heritage Studies Ph.D. Program.
Gloria Gibson (Ph. D. Indiana University, ggibson@astate.edu) concentrates on African-American folklore, especially traditional music. She has published on African-American filmmaking. She is Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Gregory Hansen (Ph.D., Indiana University; ghansen@astate.edu) focuses on the folklife of the southeastern United States and Midwest. His recent work includes assistance with a learning kit on Florida's folk music, editing a special issue on public folklore for Folklore Forum, articles for the Encyclopedia of the Midwest and Peoples of America, and the book A Florida Fiddler: The Life and Times of Richard Seaman (University of Alabama Press). He also teaches in ASU's Heritage Studies Ph.D. Program.