ENGH 591: Topics in Folklore Studies

ENGH 591-001: Middle East/Central Asia Folklore
(Fall 2017)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M

Section Information for Fall 2017

This course surveys folklore and expressive culture across the greater Middle East and Central Asia, from Egypt and Palestine to Iran, Afghanistan, and the former Soviet Central Asian republics.  We'll explore a range of expressive forms by reading ethnographic case studies about oral poetry and epic, graffiti, dream interpretation, popular theater, storytelling, foodways, wedding customs, popular religious life, and more.

Through course readings, lectures, discussions, and written assignments, we'll pay special attention to the politics of folklore and investigate how expressive culture is central to our negotiations of power, strategies of resistance, and constructions of identity.  You'll gain an understanding of folklore's foundational importance both reflecting and shaping how individuals and states across the Middle East and Central Asia imagine the self and nation.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Explores folklore and folklife topics such as folk narrative and story telling, folklore and literature, folksong, and folk arts. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.