Folklore | MIDDLE EASTERN AND ARAB MYTHOLOGY
F617 | 2250 | H. El-Shamy
Meets with F307. This course introduces the Middle East and the various
facets of lore associated with it. It is composed of four (4) segments:
I. Introduction: The field of folklore as it applies to "The Middle East"
--What is meant by "folklore" and its relation to other
levels/categories of Middle Eastern cultures.
--Peoples and cultures of the Middle East
--A brief overview of Middle Eastern Religions
II: Areas, Fields, and Genres of Middle Easternfolklore:
--Introducing such concepts as: Oral Literature, Verbal Art, Folk
Beliefs, Rituals, and Religion, Mythology, Festivals, Folklife
Material culture, Folk Art, Folk Architecture, etc.
III. In-depth Treatment of Select Forms, Fields, and Genres.
Emphasis is placed on Verbal, Social, and Mental/affective aspects
of lore: The folk narrative and its genres, The major anthologies
1001 Nights, Kaleelah, etc.); the proverb and the riddle; folk
narrative poetry; folk healing rituals, etc. (You may treat any
Eastern group, or emphasize other facets of lore that may not
sufficient coverage in class presentations).
IV. Your Own Work/Research in a Middle Eastern Field, Country, or Social
Group of Your Choosing.
(E.g., Pharaonic Egypt, Jewish tales from Yemen, Zoroastrians,
rug-weaving, dancing, etc.)
Requirements: Interest in the Middle East, traditional culture and folklore,
and willingness to think.
Hasan El-Shamy. Tales Arab Women Tell: And the Behavioral Patterns they
Portray. (Indiana University Press, 1999).
H. El-Shamy. Folktales of Egypt ... with Middle Eastern and African
Parallels (U. of Chicago Press, 1980).
Other materials Handouts: "The Outline of Culture," "Culture Areas of the
Middle East," "TEXTS," etc.
Examinations: 2 exams--(Take home)
Paper: One term paper.