Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025
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Folk Studies (FLK)

FLK 275    Supernatural Folklore    3 Hours

An investigation of traditional beliefs concerning unverifiable phenomena, including superstition, traditional healing, divination, and witchcraft. Current historical, philosophical, anthropological and folkloristic theories are covered. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-AH | AH

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

FLK 276    Introduction to Folklore    3 Hours

An introduction to the study of folk tradition in different contexts, focusing on the concepts of folk group, cultural relativism, fieldwork, meaning and function, and the genres of folk narrative, folksong, folk custom and traditional material culture. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-AH | AH

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

FLK 280    Cultural Diversity in the U S    3 Hours

Understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the multicultural nature of American society. Emphasis on the varieties of cultural expression, custom and world view practiced by regional, ethnic, racial and sectarian cultures. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC

Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

FLK 281    Roots of Southern Culture    3 Hours

Examination of Southern folklore and folklife as part of the foundation of contemporary Southern culture.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 310    Community Traditions & Global Corporate Culture    3 Hours

Multicultural study of community traditions and corporate culture in the global world.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 330    Cultural Connections and Diversity    3 Hours

Service learning course that examines the diversity of American culture and engages students in activities to develop skills in working with a variety of cultural groups. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC

Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

FLK 340    Peoples and Cultures of Latin America    3 Hours

Study of the history and development of present cultures in Latin America with emphasis on economics, politics, religion, folklife and world view of indigenous, peasant and urban peoples.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 340

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 341    People and Cultures of Asia    3 Hours

Study of the cultures of South, East, and Southeast Asia with emphasis on origins, prehistoric and historic migrations, ecology and subsistence patterns, and the origins and evolution of the major civilizations of India, China, Japan, and Vietnam. Topics include kinship and the family, religion, social organization, gender, economy, colonialism and independence, globalization and development, and maintenance of traditions in modern contexts.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 341

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 342    Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean    3 Hours

Examination of the variety of cultural practices found in modern-day Caribbean societies with attention to historical roots. Topics include, but are not limited to, definition of the region, religious practices, festivals, musical traditions, migration and everyday social life and conditions. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY

Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status

Equivalent(s): ANTH 342

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; summer 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

FLK 345    People and Cultures of Native North America    3 Hours

Survey of the cultures of the original peoples of North America, with emphasis on the ethnographic present.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 345

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 350    Peoples and Cultures of Africa    3 Hours

Survey of the cultures of Africa, with emphasis on historical development and contemporary cultural diversity.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 350, AFAM 350

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

FLK 371    Urban Folklore    3 Hours

Varieties and characteristics of urban American folklore with emphasis on legends, customs, beliefs, and other lore of today's regional, occupational, and ethnic groups.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 373    Folklore and the Media    3 Hours

Variety and characteristics of folklore in the media including newspapers, television, magazines, comics, movies, photographs, cartoons, and advertisements. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG

Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

FLK 377    African-American Folklore    3 Hours

Oral, written, and material folk traditions of African-Americans, with emphasis on the United States and the Caribbean.

Equivalent(s): AFAM 377

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2024

FLK 378    Southern Appalachian Folklife    3 Hours

Folklife of southern Appalachia, as reflected in the material folk culture, in traditional folk customs and practices, legends, anecdotes, songs, language, and literature.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 378

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 388    Foodways    3 Hours

Exploration of the relationship between food and culture. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG

Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status

Equivalent(s): ANTH 388

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

FLK 399    Field Methods in Ethnography    3 Hours

An examination of the history, theory, techniques, and ethics of ethnographic fieldwork, including practical fieldwork experience.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 399

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

FLK 400    Ethnomusicology    3 Hours

Survey of the concepts and methods of ethnomusicology. Topics include history of ethnomusicology, transcription and analysis, musicians, musical instruments, music acculturation, and the function of music in society.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 400

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 410    African-American Music    3 Hours

A survey of selected musical styles created and developed by African-Americans from the 17th to the 20th century: spirituals, blues, popular music forms (e.g. soul, reggae, rap music). Emphasis will be placed on the historical factors and socio-cultural trends that influenced the development of African-American music.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 410, AFAM 410

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 430    Oral History    3 Hours

Methods and theories of oral history, legal and ethical considerations, uses and planning of local oral history projects. This course requires off-campus travel.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

FLK 434    Historic Preservation    3 Hours

An overview of historic preservation methods and practice. The course will include an overview of the historic preservation movement in the United States and an examination of preservation law and methodology. A field project is required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 445    American Architectural History    3 Hours

An interdisciplinary survey of American architectural history, including trends and styles, architect designed and manufactured structures and elements, and the social history of American architecture.

Equivalent(s): ART 445

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

FLK 462    Folklore and Medicine    3 Hours

This course examines the role of traditional culture in shaping attitudes and behavior related to sickness, health, and healing. Institutional, alternative, and informal medical settings are discussed.

Equivalent(s): PH 462

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 464    Vernacular Architecture    3 Hours

The forms, functions, and styles of buildings constructed according to custom from local materials to meet individual and cultural preferences.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 470    Museum Procedures and Preservation Techniques    3 Hours

Essential aspects of museums and of preservation, i.e., collecting, preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting material culture.

Equivalent(s): ANTH 470

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2024

FLK 477    Folk Arts and Technology    3 Hours

Folklife research in selected world culture groups, with emphasis on folk crafts, technology, and architecture in the United States prior to their absorption into industrialization. Special reference to northwest European antecedents, sources, and parallels.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

FLK 478    Folklore and Literature    3 Hours

Readings in world literature from the Bible to the modern novel and examination of the degree to which oral literature has affected origins and development of written literature.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 479    Directed Independent Research in Folklore    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Supervised individual study directed by a member of the Folk Studies faculty. NOTE: course pass required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 480    Women’s Folklife    3 Hours

The various images and roles of women in the U.S. and selected world cultures as reflected in folklife materials such as narratives, beliefs, ballads, rhymes, games, customs, and folk arts.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024

FLK 485    Topics in Folklore    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

A consideration of special topics to acquaint students with significant problems and current issues in folklore. Content will vary from time to time according to the instructor and the needs of the students.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

FLK 489    Internship in Folk Studies    3 Hours

Practical out-of-classroom experience in a supervised work situation with a cooperating business, industry, social or governmental agency emphasizing application of advanced knowledge and skills in folk studies. NOTE: course pass required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023