ENG 3393-001: Literary Theories: Folklore & Literature
Instructor: Rose Rodriguez-Rabin
Class Time: TR 11:00 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
Class Location: HSS 3.04.22
Office HSS 4.02.42
Office Hours: T 12:30 – 1:45
TR 12:30 – 3:00 (or by appt)
Course Description
This course will focus on the tapestry woven between folklore and literature and how they influence each other. This class will present an alternative view of literature as a verbal art form with both oral and written branches that often spin an interesting web. Folklore through literature is a method of keeping historical accounts, recorded testimony, and stories, as well as novels. We will look at major genres, theories and methodologies of folklore which will be examined alongside and through literary readings: Eastern European, Native American, African American, Chicana/o and Labor Lore. This course will begin by examining one supernatural figure with clear connections to East European folklore – the vampire. This is only one of the exciting texts we will read in this class. We will also incorporate film in between the readings and investigate the representation of these figures as they develop and migrate from culture to culture. We will also concentrate on the genres of narrative oral literature, legends, and myths.
Objectives
? The course is designed to encourage and enable students to achieve the following goals:
? To understand major concepts, theories, genres, and methodology of folklore and literature and how they are connected.
? To distinguish the ideologies, and periods of various examples of folkloristic literature
? To evaluate the literary significance of certain representative works and influential texts of folkloristic literature
? To participate in the dialogue of appreciation, study, and debate of folklore scholarship
? To articulate a written critical argument that based on analytical reading of literary works
? To sharpen critical reading, writing, and thinking skills
Texts
Texts
Geertz, Clifford 1973 The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books.
Dynamics Of Folklore (Paperback)
by Barre Toelken
Origins/European Folk Tradition
The Vampire: A Casebook (Paperback)
by Alan Dundes (Editor)
Dracula (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)
by Bram Stoker (Author), Nina Auerbach (Editor), David J. Skal (Editor)
Native American Folk Tradition
Speaking of Indians (Paperback)
by Ella Cara Deloria (Author), Vine Deloria Jr. (Introduction)
The Way to Rainy Mountain (Paperback)
by N. Scott Momaday (Author),
African American Folk Tradition
African American Folktales: Stories from Black Traditions in the New World (Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library) (Paperback)
by Roger Abrahams (Author)
Mules and Men (P.S.) (Paperback)
by Zora Neale Hurston (Author)
ginia.edu/~MA01/Grand-Jean/Hurston/Chapters/siteintroduction.html
Chicana/o Folk Tradition
The Woman Who Lost Her Soul and Other Stories: Collected Tales and Short Stories (Recovering the U. S. Hispanic Literary Heritage) (Paperback)
by Jovita Gonzalez (Author), Sergio Reyna (Editor)
Bless Me, Ultima (Paperback)
by Rudolfo Anaya
Chicana Traditions: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE (Paperback)
by Norma E. Cantu (Editor), Olga Najera-Ramirez (Editor)
Labor Lore
Cannery Row: (Centennial Edition) (Paperback)
by John Steinbeck (Author)
Questionable Texts
Native Speakers: Ella Deloria, Zora Neale Hurston, Jovita Gonzalez, and the Poetics of Culture (Hardcover)
by María Eugenia Cotera
The Jungle : The Uncensored Original Edition (Paperback)
by Upton Sinclair (Author)
Publisher: CreateSpace (October 28, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1440451443
ISBN-13: 978-1440451447
Additional sources
The American Folklife Center
.gov/folklife/aboutafc.html
The American Folklife Center/Texas
.gov/folklife/states/texas.html
The American Folklife Center
FOLKLIFE AND FIELDWORK: A Layman's Introduction to Field Techniques
.gov/folklife/fieldwork/index.html
Archie Green (1917-2009 )
.gov/folklife/ArchieGreen.html
Requirements
? Detailed critical responses to assigned readings.
? An analytical essay (7-8 pages) in which you explore in depth one or more works of folkloristic literature.
? A final exam in which you should demonstrate familiarity with all of the text covered during the semester, strong ability to analyze readings, and a synthesis of your original insights.
? Various assignments that will count toward your participation grade (portfolio)
? Regular, active attendance. Be prepared to ask and answer questions – focusing on issues of significance to this class.
? Timely completion of all assignments. Readings are to be completed before the day that topic will be discussed.
? Discussion leaders.
Requirements:
— Reading responses: you will need to turn in (post by e-mail to the class website) two short responses to the readings-1 to 2 pp-due prior to the class meeting in which we discuss that reading assignment.
—essay. The final paper will be a more detailed examination, 7-8 pages in length, of a single story, according to technique, plot, and formal strategies and of one of the course themes.
· Primary source has to be one of the novels from class
· Six (6) sources including one academic journal
· Has to be on one area of folklore we’ve covered in class
· Needs to have one major concept and or theory
· Needs to evaluate the literary significance of certain representatives works and influential texts of folkloristic literature
· Need to articulate a written critical argument that based on analytical reading of literary work.
----In Class Assignment. Each student will be asked to make an oral presentation of the work being discussed each week.
— Active engagement and participation in class discussions
— Final Exam
Grading and other Policies
Cellular phones must be turned off during class. No laptops turned in during class. No late papers or presentations will be accepted without prior approval of the professor.
Grading:
Grades will be contingent on the completion of the various competencies at the usual level (90-100% = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; 59 or below = F).
two short responses (1-2 pages each) 20%
discussion leaders 10%
folklife portfolio 20%
final paper (7-8 pages in length) 25%
final exam (multiple choice/essay exam) 25%
Total 100 %
In this course I expect you to keep up with your readings and come prepared to class for discussion. I need not emphasize the grave importance of doing so. A reading response (approx. 1 - 2 typed pages) will be due at the beginning of class on each day scheduled for a discussion of our texts. You will write responses to primary texts and not on a critical theory. These responses should NOT be summaries of the readings, but rather reactions to them, explorations of your expectations and what you were thinking about during your reading, notes toward possible writing topics, discussions of issues raised in the readings, or stories that relate your own personal experiences to the readings. Since these reader responses constitute a participating grade, you are responsible for all four. A missed response will count for a zero (0).
Attendance:
This class depends on your regular participation; you must be present mentally as well as physically (If you should come to class but fall asleep, it will be counted as an absence). Due to the interactive nature of the course, it will be impossible for you to “make up” a class. Please be in class for every meeting unless you have an emergency. After two absences your final grade will go down by a grade for each additional absence unless you have express written permission (received after producing verifiable evidence of the emergency) from Administrative offices in Academic Affairs or the English Department. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK. Please realize that you are in a university and as such you must take on certain adult responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is your attendance in this class. Know the consequences of your actions. If you are absent, be sure to contact your instructor as soon as possible.
*NOTE* Please recognize the fact that you are all in a university environment. In this particular class it is vital to have intellectual discussions. Whether you agree with the opinions of the instructor, readings, fellow classmates, or disagree, it is important for you, a member of society, to discuss the current events as they relate to the readings. We might discuss issues you do not feel comfortable with, such as racism, homophobia, religion, etc., in this case, do feel free to express why you feel uncomfortable. These discussions are vital for the exchange of ideas and will help you in your writings, thus helping your grade. Most discussions are the basis of communication and more importantly, the writings you will need to produce in class. As a member of society, you will face some of these issues and the university environments is a good place to question, or simply state your reaction and hopefully receive intelligent feedback. Since we are in a learning environment, it is important to have good working conditions. No electronic devices, i.e. cell phones, beepers (including text messaging), are allowed to be on during class time. If a device should happen to “go off” during class time, I can drop you from class on the grounds that you are being disruptive.
Tentative Syllabus (please be aware for any changes)
Thur., Aug. 27, 2009 Introduction to class and syllabus. For Tuesday, read from The Dynamics of Folklore pgs. Preface xi – 54 and The American Folklife Center .gov/folklife/aboutafc.html and Geertz’ The Interpretation of Cultures, Chapt. 1. Handou t Assn. 1 What is Folklife?
Tues., Sept. 1, 2009 Class discussion. For Thurs. read teacher handout, On the Concepts of Folklore by Elliott Oring
Thurs., Sept. 3, 2009 Guest speaker, Dr. Norma Cantu will read from her book, Canicula. Teacher notes on personal experience narratives (include handou t for personal narratives Assn 2). For Tues. read from The Dynamics of Folklore chap. 10.
Tues., Sept. 8, 2009 Class discussion. Notes on legends. For Thurs. read from the website, ricanfolklore.net/ click the heading of Myths & Legends, then Heroes & Villains, read then read Pecos Bill and The Vampire Casebook, “The History of the Word Vampire.”
Thurs, Sept. 10, 2009 Class discussion. For Tues. read from The Vampire Casebook, “The Vampire in Roumania” and “The Romanian Folkloric Vampire.” Begin reading Dracula.
Tues, Sept. 15, 2009 Class discussion. For Thurs. continue reading Dracula.
Thurs, Sept. 17, 2009 Class discussion. For Tues. conclude reading Dracula.
Tues, Sept. 22, 2009 Class discussion/closure. For Thurs. read from Chicana Tradition: Continuity and Change, chapts. 1 – 2. and The Interpretation of Cultures, chapt. 4. Document a legend and/or belief Assn. 3(handout).
Thurs., Sept. 24, 2009 Guest speaker, Dr. Norma Cantu. For Tues. read from The Woman Who Lost Her Soul, the introduction, the chapter under “Religious Tales” and “Tales of Popular Customs.” Discuss portfolios due on Oct. 8 th .
Tues, Sept. 29, 2009 Class discussion. For Thurs. read from Bless Me Ultima pgs. ? and from Chicana Tradition: Continuity and Change, chapts. “Caminando con la Llorona: Traditional and Contemporary Narratives.”
Thu. Oct. 1, 2009 Class discussion. For Tues. read from Chicana Tradition: Continuity and Change, “Indianizing Catholicism: Chicana/India/Mexicana Indigenous Spiritual Practices in Our Image” and conclude Bless Me Ultima.
Tues. Oct. 6, 2009 Class discussion/closure of novels. Discuss the three assignments/portfolios to be turned in on the next class meeting. Watch documentary. For Thurs. read from teacher notes on labor lore and Cannery Row, pgs. 1-75.
Thurs. Oct. 8, 2009 Portfolios /short response due. Class discussion. Explain labor lore along with some examples. Assn. 4 . Continue reading from Cannery Row and teacher handout (Robert McCarl). Look at the Archie Green website.
Tues. Oct. 13, 2009 (Mid term grades due) Class Discussion. Notes on Robert McCarl and Archie Green. For Thurs. continue reading Cannery Row.
Thurs. Oct. 15, 2009 Class discussion. Discuss final projects. Continue reading Cannery Row and teacher handout.
Tues. Oct. 20, 2009 Class discussion/closure of novels.For Thurs. read from African American Folktales: Stories from Black Traditions in the New World, chap. “Getting Things Started: How The World Got Put Together That Way” and “The Wind and The Water Fighting” and “Testing the Good Lord.”
Thurs. Oct. 22, 2009 Teacher notes on African American traditions. For Tues. from Mules and Men, read the introduction, and “Witness of the Johnstown Flood in Heaven,” “How the Brother Was Called to Preach,” “Why Negroes are Black,” “Why Women Always Take Advantage of Men,” and “How Jack Beat De Devil.”
Tues. Oct. 27, 2009 Short response due. Class discussion. Teacher notes on material culture (Assn 5 handout). For Thurs. read from African American Folktales: Stories from Black Traditions in the New World, “Meeting the King of the World,” “Mr. Bamancoo Gets Dropped,” “The Woman Who Was A Bird,” and “Between the Fiddler and The Dancer.”
Thurs. Oct. 29, 2009 Class discussion. For Tues. read from Mules and Men, “Ole Massa and John Who Wanted To Go To Heaven,” “Why the Sister in Black Works Hardest,” “"De Reason Niggers is Working So Hard,” “"God an' de Devil in de Cemetery," “Origin of Hoodoo,” “Turner and Marie Leveau,” “Turner--Initiation Ceremony,” and “Conjure Stories.”
Tues. Nov. 3, 2009 Class discussion/closure of novels.
Thurs. Nov. 5, 2009 MOVIE/DOCUMENTARY
Tues. Nov. 10, 2009 MOVIE/DOCUMENTARY . For Thurs. read from Speaking of Indians, introduction and pgs. 1 – 23.
Thurs. Nov. 12, 2009 Class discussion. For Tues. conclude reading Speaking of Indians. Begin Assn 6 – Foodways.
Tues. Nov. 17, 2009 Class discussion. Read The Way To Rainy Mountain, pgs. 3 – 30.
Thurs. Nov. 19, 2009 Class discussion. Conclude reading The Way To Rainy Mountain.
Tues. Nov. 24, 2009 Class discussion/closure. Discuss final projects and Assn 7 – Festivals, drama and rituals.
Thurs. Nov. 26, 2009 (Thanksgiving holiday)
Tues. Dec. 1, 2009 Class discussion on final projects.
Thurs. Dec. 3, 2009 (Last Class Day) Review for final exam and turn in final projects.
Thurs. 7-8, 2009 Study Days
Folklore final Tues. Dec. 15, 2009 10:30 – 1 pm.
Break down of Folklife Portfolio. Samples
Assn 1 What is Folklife? 1
Assn 2 Personal Narrative 1
Assn 3 Legend/belief 2
Portfolio due on October 8th
Assn 4 trades, rites, pranks 2
Assn 5 material culture 2
Assn 6 foodways 2
Assn 7 festivals, drama, rituals 2
Short response due October 27
Final portfolio due December 3
Final paper due December 3