FOLKLORE, INTRODUCTION

The course belongs to the integrative educational activities of the anthropology curriculum within the History Bachelor's Degree Programme. The main goal of the course is to offer an introduction to the study of the popular classes' folk culture in stratified societies, with particular regard to the critical understanding of the development of studies on popular traditions, folklore and demology. The achievement of these objectives allows students to integrate the historical-humanistic skills expected in the Bachelor's Degree programme, providing useful tools for identifying folk traditions as a specific cultural field of study, and acquiring basic elements of anthropological methodology.

Attendance and active participation in the course (lectures, viewing of video material) and individual study of the exam material will allow students to:
1. Know the birth and development of studies on Italian and non Italian popular classes' folk culture;
2. Know and appreciate the cultural and social complexity of the popular classes;
3. Know and comprehend the historical dynamism of popular traditions;
4. Deepen and analyze particularly significant approaches by main authors in this field of studies;
5. Learning and experimenting the methodologies in the study of folk traditions;
6. Learning to relate the ethnographic practice with the pertinent scientific literature.

The basic courses in Cultural Anthropology ('Cultural Anthropology - Introduction - Module 1' and 'Cultural Anthropology - History - Module 2') are preparatory and must be taken prior to or in parallel with the course 'History of Popular Traditions - Introduction".

Emergence and development of Folklore studies in Italy
Introduction to European and Italian folk culture: romanticism, positivism, fascism, Antonio Gramsci, Ernesto De Martino, Alberto M. Cirese
Forms and functions of folklore
Forms of heritagization and transformation of popular traditions
Analysis of the concepts of tradition and invention of tradition
Debates and new horizons within culture anthropology

Mandatory texts

- Dei, F. (2018), Cultura popolare in Italia. Da Gramsci all'UNESCO, Bologna, Mulino.

- Hobsbawm, E.J. (2002), L’invenzione della tradizione, Torino, Einaudi.

- Clemente, P. e Mugnaini, F. (2001), Oltre il folklore, Roma, Carocci (only these chapters: Introduzione. Le tradizioni di domani, di F. Mugnaini; Folklore e cultura di massa, di R. Schenda; La ricerca sul campo in ambito folklorico nelle sue relazioni contestuali, di R. Bauman; La tradizione non è più quella d’un tempo, di G. Lenclud; Per una critica alle critiche del folklorismo, di H. Bausinger; Prospettive per l’etnologia europea, di K. Kostlin)

The assessment of learning and skills attained will take place by means of a written examination (optional) and an oral examination with questions on the texts in the syllabus and on the topics of the lectures; in particular, understanding of the themes and problems posed during the course and the ability to make cross-curricular connections will be ascertained.

1. (optional) Written report on a small case study (approx. 2300 words, including bibliographical references) to be agreed with the professor. The report have to be handed in pdf format at least 10 days before the date of the exam. The agreed case study is to be analysed and commented on in the light of the bibliography under examination. More detailed instructions are given during the lessons. Students who decide to submit this paper will be exempt from the oral examination on the part concerning the volume of Fabio Dei.

2. oral examination. The questions will relate to the content of the texts on the syllabus and the topics covered during the lectures. Particular attention will be paid to comprehension of the proposed topics and the ability to make transversal connections.

N.B. The examination for Erasmus students must be taken in Italian.

written and oral

17 FAIL
18-20 PASS
Limited comprehension of notions, limited skill of exposition and reflection, no critical capacity
21-23 SATISFACTORY
Sufficient comprehension of notions presented in an unclear and reflexive manner; difficulties in elaborating, and synthesizing ideas
24-26 GOOD
Good comprehension of notions but limited capacity of exposition, reflection, and synthesis
27-28 VERY GOOD
In-depth comprehension of notions that are presented in a clear and articulated manner; remarkable synthesizing capacity and critical reflection
29-30 VERY GOOD
Broad and in-depth comprehension of notions that are presented in an articulated and sophisticated manner. Excellent ability in exposing ideas synthetically, and critical ability
30 CUM LAUDE EXCELLENT
Broad and in-depth comprehension of notions showing an advanced knowledge of broader disciplinary and interdisciplinary debates, a mastery of academic language, and a capacity for original and critical thinking

Participatory lessons with the use of slides, guided readings and use of audiovisual material.

Students are required to prepare the exam program of the current year, for all the four exams date. It is not possible to prepare exam programs of previous years.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development