Fall 2008, ANT 209

Folklore of the World: Anthropological Perspectives

James D. Sexton, Regents' Professor

MWF 9:10 to 10:00 a.m.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

3 credit hours

Cultural Understanding, Liberal Studies, Global Diversity

This course, taught in person, surveys contemporary folklore from selected areas of the world.  It examines legends, myths, and folktales in their cultural contexts, emphasizing  how different cultural and physical environments correlate with different attitudes, values, and beliefs.  Special geographic emphasis will be on Australia, Thailand, Guatemala, Ireland, and Scotland.  Topics will include myths (including Star Wars) legends, the Arabian jinnee, animal trickster tales, Australian Aboriginal dreaming, Celtic fairies and leprechauns,  Maya gods and godesses, good and evil spirits, the Thai Khrut (mythical half man and bird), riddles, proverbs, and descriptions of other peoples' otherworlds and afterworlds. 

Selected readings will be from:  Mayan Folktales: Folklore from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, edited by James D. Sexton;  The Rice Birds: Folktales from Thailand, edited and translated by Christian Velder and Katrin A. Velder; Folktales of Ireland edited by Sean O'Sullivan; and The Speaking Land: Myth and Story in Aboriginal Australia by Ronald M. Berndt and Catherine H. Berndt.  All of the books will be placed on two-hour reserved in the Cline Library.  Also, of these books are paperbacks and available for purchase through the university bookstore and online bookstores such as Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.