Spring, 2002
ENG 250--Introdution to Folklore
CRN 31628, 12:00 MWF, 204 Condon

Instructor: Dr. Susan Fagan

Spring Term Office Hours:
MWF 10:15-11:45 am, and by Appointment
Office: 529 PLC
Phone: 541-346-3978
Email: sfagan@oregon.uoregon.edu
Website: http://www.uoregon.edu/~sfagan

What You'll Find On This Page

Course Content
Attendance
Texts
Grading Policies
Course Requirements
Accommodation

Course Content

This introductory course is a survey designed to expose students to a variety of traditional expressions, forms, processes, and types of communication which can be grouped together under the term folklore. During the term students should become familiar with the terms folklore, folklife, and folkloristics; learn how to identify folklore as item, as process, and as a means of communication; and to understand the function of folklore in behavioral and cultural patterns.

Required Texts

Brunvand, Jan Harold. The Study of American Folklore, 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1998.

Jones, Suzi. Oregon Folklore. Eugene: University of Oregon and the Oregon Arts Commission, 1977. (Available from the Randall Mills Folklore Archives, 453 PLC; spring term hours are MW 12:00-4:00 and UF 9:30-1:30.)

 Course Requirements

  1. Two short essays (2 pages each), 10% each.
  2. Two exams, a midterm and final, each worth 20%.
  3. A fieldwork project, 20%.
  4. Participation and discussion--20%.
PLEASE NOTE: NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE SCHEDULED.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL LOSE A GRADE FOR EACH DAY LATE.

 Attendance

As this course will be primarily discussion based, what happens in class generally cannot be duplicated or summarized for students who miss class. Therefore, attendance is required. More than three unexcused absences will reduce the final grade (by one full letter grade for each absence over 3). Six absences will result in an automatic failing grade. Being late to class, which is a disruption for everyone, will also affect the final grade; every three "tardies" will count as one unexcused absence.

In general, excused absences are given for illness if a student provides a doctor's note, or for a conflicting University obligation when a student provides a signed request by the appropriate University supervisor. "Double scheduling" of classes (such as weekend workshops) during class time is not considered reason for an excused absence.

Unless an absence is excused for a verifiable reason (see previous paragraph), the instructor will not use office hours to review material missed because of absence.

Grading Policies

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the days indicated on the course calendar. Late papers will not be accepted except in the case of a verified, excused absence (see previous section). If the excused absence is because the student has a conflicting University obligation, the assigned work should be turned in prior to the missed class. If the absence is excused because of illness, the student should arrange for an alternate due date the first day he or she returns to class.

Form and content cannot be separated. A grammatically or mechanically perfect essay will not automatically receive an A grade, as content, style, and logic will also be considered. Neither can a grammatically flawed or carelessly prepared essay earn a top grade. Materials will be provided via the course website to show students how to format their essays using MLA style and how to incorporate quotations smoothly, to cite correctly, and to format a Works Cited page.

All work submitted in this course must be the student's own and written exclusively for this course. The use of sources (ideas, quotations, paraphrases) must be properly documented. If students use a professional typist to prepare their final copies of assigned work, they must instruct the typist not to make any changes in or edit their work in any way. For the consequences of academic dishonesty, students should refer to the Code of Student Conduct in the Time Schedule of Classes. In cases where academic dishonesty has been clearly established, the award of an F for the final course grade is standard practice.

Students who have any questions about what types of behavior constitute academic dishonesty should refer to information provided via the web site of the Office of Student Life. Also illuminating is a definition of plagiarism provided by the Academic Writing Program at Wake Forest University. J. L. McGrath at Rio Salado College provides an excellent explanation of how to quote sources correctly to avoid plagiarising. Students who have any questions about using sources should see the instructor for help prior to submitting any written assignments.

 Accommodation

Students with a documented disability (physical or learning) which they think may affect their performance in this class should contact the University's Counselor for Students with Disabilities during the first week of the term and request that a letter be sent verifying the disability. They should then meet with their instructor to discuss whatever accommodations may be necessary.

 


Last Updated 10/07/04