Prerequisits:

There are no specific prerequisites. However, prior knowledge of basic theories and research methods in ethnology, anthropology, folklore studies, cultural heritage studies, or related fields—is recommended.

Content (Syllabus outline):

1. The construction of the field: the history of the development of folkloristics in Slovenia and Europe.
2. The phenomenology of the subject: the development of terminology, definitions, functions, and components of folklore.
3. The semiotics of genre: genre as an abstract entity (signifier, signified, recipient).
4. Methodology of field and desk research.
5. Transformations of folklore in contemporary practices: public events, instrumentalization for political, tourist, and advertising purposes, internet folklore, perception of new literary folklore phenomena.
6. Heritage preservation of folklore: public events, museumization, instrumentalization of folklore, authoritative heritage discourse.

Readings:

• Babič, Saša 2015: Beseda ni konj: Estetska struktura slovenskih folklornih obrazcev. (Ethnologica – Dissertationes, 6). Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU.
• Babič, Saša 2021: Uganke na Slovenskem (Efka). Založba ZRC.
• Banić Grubišić 2023: Internetni mimovi između folklora i popularne kulture. Univerzitet u Beogradu – Filozofski fakultet, Odelenje za etnologiju i antropologiju.
• Dundes, Alan 1965: The Study of Folklore. University of California at Berkeley.
• Georges, Robert A. & Michael Owen Jones 1995: Folkloristics. An Introduction. Indiana University Press.
• Ivančič Kutin, Barbara 2011: Živa pripoved v zapisu. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU.
• Noyes, Dorothy 2016 : Humble Theory. Folklore’s Grasp on Social Life. Indiana University Press.
• Kropej Telban, Monika 2021: Pripovedno izročilo. Razvoj in raziskovanje (Efka). Založba ZRC.
• Pisk, Marjeta 2018: Vi čuvarji ste obmejni: pesemska ustvarjalnost Goriških brd v procesih nacionalizacije kulture. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC.
• Stanonik, Marija 2001: Teoretični oris slovstvene folklore. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU.
• Stanonik, Marija 2009: Zgodovina slovstvene folklore. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU.

Objectives and competences:

Students are familiar with the basic concepts of folklore studies and the history of the discipline’s development. They are able to distinguish and define different folklore genres. They are familiar with different approaches to folklore studies. They are familiar with the basic literature and are able to interpret it. They are trained to prepare conceptual starting points. They interpret specific folklore phenomena in the social and cultural context of contemporary times.

Students are trained to research how folklore is formed, how it shapes and reflects collective identities, with an emphasis on its significance in contemporary narrative forms and media.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Knowledge of the field of folklore studies and its interdisciplinarity.
• Knowledge of the characteristics of folklore.
• Understanding of the process of folklorization and transmission in the past and today.
• Recognition and understanding of contemporary forms of literary folklore.
• Understanding the instrumentalization of narrative folklore.
• Competence in the use of analogue and digital archives.
• Competence in practical folklore work (fieldwork, deskwork).
• Ability to identify research gaps in this field and resolve them.

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching
• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Work with texts
• Case studies
• Different presentation
• Field work (e.g. company visits)

Assessment:

• Long written assignments 70 %
• Presentations 30 %

Lecturer’s references:

• Babič, S., 2015. Beseda ni konj: Estetska struktura slovenskih folklornih obrazcev. (Ethnologica – Dissertationes, 6). Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU.
• Babič, S., 2021. Uganke na Slovenskem (Efka). Založba ZRC.
• Babič, S., 2022. Pogled v jezik smeti in umazanije. V: PODJED, Dan (ur.), et al. Nevidno življenje odpadkov. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC. Str. 41-52.
• Ivančič Kutin, B., 2011: Živa pripoved v zapisu. Ljubljana: ZRC SAZU.
• Ivančič Kutin, B., 2018: Krivopete. Divje žene z nazaj zasukanimi stopali v slovenski folklori. Ljubljana: ZRC SAZU.
• Ivančič Kutin, B., 2010. Folklorna pripoved v urbanem okolju, v javnem prostoru: Pripovedovalski dogodki v slovenski prestolnici. V: Irena Novak Popov (ur.), Vloge središča: Konvergenca regij in kultur. Ljubljana: Slovenski slavistični kongres, 200–209.