M.A. in Folklore

Anthropology at Berkeley

The Master of Arts in Folklore

Overview

This program is designed to provide graduate students with a competent knowledge of both the materials of folklore and the various methods of studying these materials. The program is an interdisciplinary one in which faculty members from both the humanities and the social sciences participate. The scope of the courses is international. However, students may specialize in a particular genre, e.g. folktales, or in a particular area such as Russian folklore. Visit Folklore Program Web Page for information on the archives, general issues on folklore and information for prospective students.

The Curriculum

The requirements for the Master of Arts in Folklore include 20 units, of which at least 10 must be graduate level (200 level) in folklore, and an M.A. thesis based upon fieldwork or some other research project. (No course credits are awarded for the thesis.) Students must take at least one course in two of the following three areas: folk narrative, folk or ethnic music, folk or primitive art. As an introduction to the discipline, students must take Anthropology 160, The Forms of Folklore. In addition, all students are required to take the interdisciplinary Folklore 250A-250B, Folklore Theory and Techniques.

The Language Requirement

The student must demonstrate proficiency in reading at least one foreign language. German is perhaps the most useful language for folklore studies, but French, Spanish, or some language intimately connected with the M.A. thesis may be approved to satisfy the language requirement.

Preparation for Graduate Study

The best preparation for the graduate program in folklore is a strong undergraduate record in one of the broad fields with which folklore is closely affiliated. Since it is a study of the humanist expression which is handed down by tradition rather than by writing, it is related to all departments that deal with literature, art, and music. Since folklore also deals with the entire traditional culture as manifested in customs and beliefs, it has close affiliations with anthropology, design, history, linguistics, philosophy, psychology and sociology. Consequently, a good undergraduate record in any of these disciplines is highly desirable though not necessarily required.

Application Process

To apply for the Master of Arts in Folklore, please complete the online Graduate School Application (link to http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/prospective/index.shtml)

Provide a minimum of three letters of recommendation:

We can now accept electronic letters of recommendation on the Form G .pdf file as provided by the Graduate Division on the Graduate School Application (link: http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/grad_app.shtml).

General GRE scores.
Transcript from each school listed on Form A of the Graduate School Application.
Make me the contact person regarding the application process.

Folklore Program Faculty

Professors
Stanley Brandes, Ph.D. (Anthropology)
John F. Lindow, Ph.D. (Scandinavian)
Bonnie Wade, Ph.D. (Music)
Candace Slater, Ph.D. (Spanish and Portuguese)
Ronelle Alexander, Ph.D. (Slavic Languages and Literature)
Charles Briggs, Ph.D. (Folklore)

Associate professors
Daniel F. Melia, Ph.D. (Rhetoric)

Contact Information

For questions about the M.A. in Folklore:
Chair: Charles Briggs (clbriggs@berkeley.edu)
Graduate Advisor: Stanley Brandes (brandes@berkeley.edu)

For information on applying for the M.A. in Folklore:
Ned Garrett
232 Kroeber Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-3710
Ph: 510.643.3406
Fax: 510.643.8557
E-mail: ned@berkeley.edu

Ph.D. in Anthropology
(Social Cultural / Archaeology)

Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology

Undergraduate Program

Regular Faculty

Visiting Faculty

Commencement 2003