Syllabus

 

Russian Folkways

ML&L-3391-1/RUSS-4301-1

11:30am - 12:20pm

NH 223

Syllabus

 

Instructor: Maria Holl

227B Northrup Hall

999-7529 (office)

543-2338 (home)

E-mail: MHoll@aol.com

 

Office Hours: 10:00am - 11:00am 

MWF or by appointment.

 

Grading:            Attendance: 10%

                        2 Tests: 30% each (total: 60%)

                        Final Paper: 30%

 

 

Course Objectives:             This course will present an overview of Russian folklore, both traditional (narrative genres such as magic tales and epic songs, folk belief, etc.) and its modern descendants (UFOs, graffiti, etc). It will include subjects such as foodways and traditional costume.

 

Course procedures:             Readings will consist of selections from Russian Fairy Tales by A. Afanas'ev, An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics by J. Bailey and T. Ivanova, and of handouts, including materials that may be posted on the World Wide Web. Readings will be assigned ahead of time and must be completed by the day on which they will be discussed.
Tests will be multiple choice/short answer, and will cover the material presented in class.
The final paper will address some aspect of Russian foklore. It must be based on sound documentation (Web-based research is acceptable, with instructor's specific approval). The subject of the paper must be discussed with the instructor ahead of time. The length of the paper will be 12 to 15 pages.

 

Attendance is mandatory.


January

Wednesday     10            Introduction to the course. Introduction to Folklore.

Friday             12            Introduction to Folklore (continued). Introduction to Russian Folklore.

Monday          15            Continued Introduction to Russian Folklore; Folk Tales.

Wednesday     17            Folk tales: Male hero. Reading: "The Sea King and Vasilisa the Wise," "Koshchei the Deathless," "Go I Know Not Whither, Bring Back I Know Not What," "Prince Ivan, the Firebird, and the Gray Wolf."

Friday             19            Folk tales: Female Hero. Reading: "The Magic Swan-Geese," "Vasilisa the Beautiful," "The Feather of Finist, the Bright Falcon."

Monday          22            Folk tales: Animal tales.

Wednesday     24            Soldier and other tales.

Friday             26            General introduction to epics; Russian epic songs.

Monday          29            Russian epic songs: Sviatogor, Mikula Selianinovich, Volkh.

Wednesday     31            Russian epic songs: Il'ia Muromets.

 

February

Friday            2            Russian epic songs: Dobrynia Nikitich.

Monday            5            Russian epic songs: Alesha Popovich.

Wednesday            7            Russian epic songs: Staver, Diuk, etc.

Friday            9            Russian epic songs: Parodies and comedies.

Monday            12            Russian epic songs: Women.

Wednesday            14            Ballads, Historical Songs and Spiritual Songs.

Friday            16            Folk Songs.

Monday            19            Chastushki.

Wednesday            21            Proverbs.

Friday            23            Children's Folklore: Counting Rhymes, Taunts.

Monday            26             Children's Folklore: Game-songs, Riddles, Tongue-Twisters.

Wednesday            28            Test.

 

March

Friday            2            Costume: Introduction; Men's.

Monday            5            Costume: Women's.           

Wednesday            7            Costume: Women's.

Friday            9            Folk Art: Designs and Objects.

Monday            12            SPRING BREAK.

Wednesday            14            SPRING BREAK.

Friday            16            SPRING BREAK.

Monday            19            Folk Belief and Rituals: Introduction.

Wednesday            21             Spirits and Magic: "Low" Mythology.

Friday            23             Spirits and Magic: Magicians and Witches.

Monday            26             Spirits and Magic: Wards and Celebrations.

Wednesday            28             Spirits and Magic: Spells and Curses.

Friday            30             Calendar Rituals: Associated with Major Holidays.

                       

April

Monday            2             Calendar Rituals: Associated with Saints' Days.

Wednesday            4             Calendar Rituals: Christmas and other Westernized Holidays.

Friday            6             Calendar Rituals: Soviet Rituals (fakelore).

Monday            9             Weddings and Funerals.

Wednesday            11             Foodways: Everyday Foods, Beliefs and Rituals (Bread and Salt, Salt Passing, Knives and Scissors, Tea).

Friday            13             Good Friday: No Classes.

Sunday, April 15: Easter (Western and Eastern Churches).

Monday            16             Foodways: Food for Christian Holidays (Christmas, Maslenitsa, Easter, Zhavoronki).

Wednesday            18             Modern Supernatural (UFOs, Astrology, etc).

Friday            20            Modern Supernatural (Continued).

Monday            23             Graffiti.

Wednesday            25             Jokes.

Friday            27             Gestures.

Monday            30             Test.

 

May

                        2-3 Reading Days

                        4-10 Finals