FOLKLORE, INTRODUCTION

The course is part of the teaching and training activities in the History Degree course, both the historical and anthropological curricula. The aim of the course is to offer an introduction to the study of the popular classes folk culture in stratified societies (peasants, shepherds, mountaineers, fishermen, artisans, factory workers). The first part of the course will be dedicated to the in-depth analysis of the forms and functions of folklore, and to the birth and development of studies on popular traditions, folklore and demology.

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. Deepen and analyze particularly significant approaches by main authors in this field of studies;
4. Learning and experimenting the methodologies in the study of folk traditions;
5. 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
The concept of tradition
Debates within the discipline and new horizons
forms of patrimonialization

The content will be available as soon as the course is assigned to a lecturer.

Oral and written examination. The learning and the skills acquired will be assessed with a written exam (optional) and an oral exam with questions on the issues raised in the compulsory readings and during lectures; in particular, understanding of the themes and issues raised during the course and the ability to compare and contrast the authors' approaches.

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. To be defined.

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