Universität Wien

135043 PS The Folk Tale (2023S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 13 - Europäische und Vergleichende Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 10.03. 16:45 - 20:45 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Friday 24.03. 16:45 - 20:45 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Friday 21.04. 16:45 - 20:45 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Friday 12.05. 16:45 - 20:45 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Saturday 13.05. 14:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Friday 02.06. 16:45 - 20:45 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Saturday 03.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 34 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 6
  • Friday 16.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Digital

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

"Once upon a time," many folktales begin, and a study of the many ways they have been studied could begin likewise. This course will explore specific types of the folktale in all their complexity, following the classic Aarne-Thompson-Üther tale type index. We shall examine issues of form, content and performance in tales like those commonly known as "Hansel and Gretel", "Cinderella", and "Snow White". Our main emphasis will be on cross-cultural comparison of mostly European and some Near Eastern, North American and African tales using the central concepts of tale type and motif.
The course will meet only six times, so we will have to make the most of our meetings. Readings will be extensive and must be completed before the class on which they are assigned. I shall give a short quiz on the readings at the start of some classes; the grades will be part of your participation percentage.
Update: MA students will be required to do additional reading and to each give a class presentation on one of those readings.

Assessment and permitted materials

Requirements and Grading:
1) Research Paper:
a) Proposal and abstract, due 30.06.2023: 5% of final grade
b) 4000 word paper, due 31.08.2023: 45% of final grade

2) Seminar Participation (attendance, quizzes on reading, discussion
participation): 25% of final grade

3) Final Exam: This will be a combination of short answers and an 800-word essay, due by email 16.06.2023: 25% of final grade.

Please note: In a course that meets only six times, any absence, no matter what the reason, cannot help but affect your participation in class. Thus I shall deduct points from your participation grade for any class or any part of a class that you miss.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
Understand the definitions, categories and subcategories of folktales.
Identify and classify a folktale or group of folktales using the terminology and classifications of folklore study (also called "folkloristics").
Use the various indices and scholarly journals in the field of folklore study.
Critically examine popular conceptions regarding folklore and folklore study’s own assumptions during its long history.
Engage in focused discussion of folktales and folktale scholarship.
Make connections between folklore and national literatures, ethnic and gender studies, and other related fields.
Use a variety of scholarly research sources, including primary materials collected by folklorists, to formulate a thesis and support it in a folktales research paper.

Examination topics

Defining charateristics of folklore; main activities of folklorists; defining characteristics of folktales and their place within folklore; history and significance of folktale collection, classification and analysis; approaches to folklore study from historic-geographic to psychoanalytic to structuralist to post-structuralist and other contemporary approaches.

Reading list

see: Information in German

Association in the course directory

BA M4

Last modified: Th 04.07.2024 00:13