American Folklore and Folklife
Sociology 112
Frances E. Webb
Spring Semester 2009
Expectations and Requirements
Class Participation
Examinations
Collection Project
Evaluation
Students with Disabilities
Written Work Due Dates (dates not yet adjusted for 2009)
Class Participation:
Students are expected to be active participants in the course. This includes attending all classes, reading assignments as scheduled, taking part in class discussions, writing at least one substantial discussion list entry each week, and promptly turning in written assignments at the beginning of the class period on the date due.
To receive an excused absence for illness, students should inform the instructor prior to class by leaving a message at extension 8397 or sending an e-mail to the instructor.
Student athletes are allowed up to two excused absences when their athletic schedule conflicts with class if they notify the instructor before the absence and they do not have any other unexcused absences.
Without prior arrangement, late assignments will not be accepted.
In addition, students are required to attend a minimum of two folklore events and are responsible for informing the instructor of their attendance. Students who attend more than two (up to a total of four) will receive extra credit. Events will be announced as scheduled throughout the semester, and students are invited to suggest events for inclusion.
Examinations:
Term Examinations
Throughout the semester, eight examination questions will be posted, two questions on each of four different dates throughout the semester. You will select one of the two questions to answer each time, responding to a total of four questions. Each question should be considered the equivalent of one half of an hour-long midterm.
The questions will require a synthesis of class discussion and required readings and will relate to class readings, discussion, lectures, and audio-visual materials presented on the topic.
The Term Examinations are not open book. When ready to take the exam, read the questions, make your selection, and write your response.
All responses must be e-mailed as an attachment before the beginning of class on the date the response is due. Late answers will not be accepted without prior arrangement.
Final Examination
The final examination essay question will be cumulative and is to be written during the examination period. The essay question will distributed in advance so students can prepare their responses. Students may consult their class notes and any printed, audio-visual, or Internet source, but may not discuss the question with other students.
Collection Project:
Students will undertake a folklore research project to collect and analyze the folklore and customs of a family or of Randolph-Macon Woman's College.
The project will be divided into three parts plus a final revision:
collection of lore (at least eight of the fifteen examples of lore must be transcribed from tape recorded interviews)
introduction and arrangement of the lore
analysis and conclusion
Finally, the completed project will be revised and presented formally.
Each part (collection, introduction & arrangement, analysis & conclusion, final revision) will be worth one fourth of the Collection Project grade.
Use of a word processor is required for all phases of the assignment. Each assignment is due at the beginning of the class period in either print or electronic form.
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior arrangement.
For those students collecting R-MWC folklore, your research may be presented as a site on the World Wide Web. If interested, contact the instructor as soon as possible, but not later than Febrary 12th.
Evaluation:
Each student will be evaluated on class participation, including class attendance and discussion list messages; examinations; collection project; and final cumulative essay. By January 31st, each student will individually determine the weight of each component of evaluation by contracting with the instructor.
Contracts will not be accepted after the beginning of class on January 31st, and the default percentages will be used for all students who elected not to make a contract.
Evaluation Contract
Class participation, 10-20% (default 15%)
Examinations, 20-40% (default 30%)
Collection project, 35-50% (default 40%)
Cumulative Final Essay, 10-20% (default 15%)
Students with Disabilities:
Students with a disability requiring special consideration should provide me with the appropriate letter
from the Learning Resources Center
indicating what accommodations you require. I will make every effort to meet your needs.
Please consult with Tina Barnes in the LRC for additional information.
Written Work Due Dates (dates not yet adjusted for 2009):
Changes will posted on the Course Management site.
January 31st, Evaluation Contract due unless you elect to accept the default
February 9th, Term Examination #1: "What is Folklore? Who are the Folk?" or "Research Methods"
February 19th, Collection One, three examples of lore
February 21st, Notify instructor if you plan to create a web site for your Randolph-Macon Woman's College Folklore Collection Project
February 26th, URL for a World Wide Web site related to folklore
February 28th, Term Examination #2: "Family Folklore" or "Women and Folklore"
March 19th, Collection Two, twelve examples of lore
March 30th, Term Examination #3: "Contemporary Folklore" or "Appalachian Mountain Folk Culture"
April 2nd, Introduction and Arrangement
April 16th, Analysis and Conclusion
April 20th, Term Examination #4: "Mexican-American Folk Culture" or "African American Folk Culture"
April 23rd, Completed project with revisions
Cumulative Final Essay Examination
Graduating Seniors, due May 4th by 5:00 p.m.
All Other Students, due May 5th by noon
Frances E. Webb
Lipscomb Library
2500 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg, Virginia 24503
(434) 947-8133
page last revised May 16, 2008
graphics designed by Frances E. Webb
© 2008