ENG 250 Introduction to Folklore and Mythology

The nature and formal principles of studying folklore and myth will be introduced and illustrated through a variety of texts, folk artifacts, and thematic ideas, including world-wide examples that extend beyond Western cultures. Students will examine folkloric elements in their own and each other's backgrounds, as well as textbook examples of folklore and folk life from regional, ethnic, age, gender, or work groups. Students will consider how myth informs their own and each other's backgrounds, as well as examine textbook examples of myth and mythic themes, motifs, and archetypes from regional, ethnic, age, gender, or work groups. The course will introduce students to formal approaches to a variety of folklore and myths, as well as explore the relationship between myth, culture, and society. Folklore and myth will also be considered from a cross-cultural perspective.

Credits

4

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify characteristics and functions of folklore, folk groups, and myth
2. Recognize the above characteristics and functions in a wide variety of folklore and myth as presented from various regional, religious, ethnic, age, gender, and work groups
3. Observe folkloric and mythic elements in mass/mainstream U.S. culture, past and present
4. Identify folkloric and mythic elements in their own lives and the lives of the people around them
5. Recognize the processes through which folklore and myth survive and are transmitted
6. Identify folkloric and mythic elements in published fictional and non-fictional texts. Acquire a cross-cultural understanding of human experiences
7. Be familiar with the basic elements, practices, and assumptions involved in collecting an oral history or oral narrative