syllabus of Certificate Course in Folkoristics 1 1 Syllabus Mumbai University

Page 1

Page 2

Copy to : -
1. The Deputy Registrar, Academic Authorities Meetings and Services
(AAMS),
2. The Deputy Registrar, College Affiliations & Development
Department (CAD),
3. The Deputy Registrar, (Admissions, Enrolment, Eligibility and
Migration Department (AEM),
4. The Deputy Registrar, Research Administration & Promotion Cell
(RAPC),
5. The Deputy Registrar, Executive Authorities Section (EA),
6. The Deputy Registrar, PRO, Fort, (Publi cation Section),
7. The Deputy Registrar, (Special Cell),
8. The Deputy Registrar, Fort/ Vidyanagari Administration Department
(FAD) (VAD), Record Section,
9. The Director, Institute of Distance and Open Learni ng (IDOL Admin),
Vidyanagari,
They are requested to treat this as action taken report on the concerned
resolution adopted by the Academic Council referred to in the above circular
and that on separate Action Taken Report will be sent in this connection.

1. P.A to Hon’ble Vice -Chancellor ,
2. P.A Pro -Vice-Chancellor,
3. P.A to Registrar,
4. All Deans of all Faculties,
5. P.A to Finance & Account Officers, (F.& A.O),
6. P.A to Director, Board of Examinations and Evaluation,
7. P.A to Director, Innovation, Incubation and Linkages,
8. P.A to Director, Board of L ifelong Learning and Extension (BLLE),
9. The Director, Dept. of Information and Communication Technology
(DICT) (CCF & UCC), Vidyanagari,
10. The Director of Board of Student Development,
11. The Director, Department of Students Walfare (DSD),
12. All Deputy Registrar, Examination House,
13. The Deputy Registrars, Finance & Accounts Section,
14. The Assistant Registrar, Administrative sub -Campus Thane,
15. The Assistant Registrar, School of Engg. & Applied Sciences, Kalyan,
16. The Assistant Registrar, Ratnagiri sub -centre, Ratnagiri,
17. The Assistant Registrar, Constituent Colleges Unit,
18. BUCTU,
19. The Receptionist,
20. The Telephone Operator,
21. The Secretary MUASA

for information.

Page 3

Page 4

Submission on Feasibility of Starting New Courses as per the Provision of
Maharashtra Public University Act 2016
Ac - 23/7/2020, Resolution No. 4.28

CERT IFICATE COURSE IN FOLKLORISTICS
1. Necessity of Starting this course:
Folklore is all around us. We find them in stories, songs, toys, foods, dress,
festivals, jokes, dances, games, theatre etc. They are omnipresent and influence
us in many ways. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and value folklore. It
is also necessa ry to understand the impact folklore has on us. The academic
study of folklore in a disciplined way will provide students with not only with
valuable insights into how various folk groups operate in the society, but
would also reveal biases, prejudices an d other obstacles that operate through
various cultural forms, to form a more inclusive worldview. Also, knowledge
about indigenous culture and dying traditions can play a significant role in
upholding contemporary socio -economic and political life of Maha rashtra by
providing new job opportunities. The ‘Certificate Course in Folkloristic’ is
especially relevant in the context of Maharashtra as it has a tradition of rich
folk culture. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare students in folkloristic as a
subject of study to preserve various folk forms of India, specifically of
Maharashtra which include folktales, fairytales, folk music, folk dance, folk
theatre , folk festivals etc. Students will be trained to recognize, identify and
analyze various folk forms and will be acquainted with the process of
collection of folklore material in the field using various latest methodology
both traditional and digital methods.
2. Whether UGC has recommended to start the said Courses?
UGC has given guidelines for introdu ction of career oriented courses
( https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/xiplanpdf/revisedcareerorientedcourses.pdf ).
Universities are allowed to run the diploma / certificate courses and with due
approval of its governing councils/ stat utory council wherever required
(Ref: https://www.ugc.ac.in/faq.aspx ). However, u/s 5(16) under Maharashtr a
Public Universities Act, 2016 (Mah. Act No. VI of 2017), Universities are

Page 5

empowered to start to prescribe the courses of instruction and studies in choice
based credit system for the various examinations leading to specific degrees,
diplomas or certifica tes in a stand -alone format or joint format with other State
or national or global universities.
3. Whether all the courses have commenced from academic year 2019 -20?
The above certificate course recommended by the BoS in English, and further
approved by the statutory bodies is to be introduced from the Academic Year
2020 -2021 .
4. The courses started by the University are self -financed, whether adequate
number of eligible permanent Faculties are available?
The certificate course is purely self -financed. The de partment/affiliated
colleges interested in its affiliation need to comply with the norms laid down as
above.
5. To give details regarding duration of the course and is it possible to
compress the course?
The duration of the course is maximum 6 month {6 Months (July -December /
January -June) } with total 30 contact hours consist of maximum 2 Credits on
completion of total 30 hours.
6. The intake capacity of each course and no. of admissions given in the
current academic year (2019 -20)
The intake capacity is s et to maximum 40 students per batch.
7. Opportunities of employability/employment available a fter undertaking
these courses:
As the course intends to acquaint students with skills in interviewing,
fieldwork, and ethnographic research along the tools required for interpreting
and analyzing folklore, at the end of the course students will be able to apply
the skills and knowledge to a wide range of careers such as:
 Museums, ethnographic museums, tribal research and training institutes,
cultural heritage centre s, galleries, folklore archives etc. exhibit designers;
researchers; program developer

Page 6

***********************

Page 7

1


University of Mumbai
Certificate Course in Folkloristics
Syllabus (with effect from the academic year 2020 -21)
(Choice Based Credit System)

Board of Studies in English
Dr. Sudhir Nikam (Chairperson)
Dr. Rajesh Karankal (Member) Dr. Santosh Rathod (Memb er)
Dr. Bhagyashree Varma (Member) Dr. Deepa Mishra (Member)
Dr. B. N. Gaikwad (Member) Dr. Dattaguru Joshi (Member)
Dr.Satyawan Hanegave (Member) Dr. Deepa Murdeshwar -Katre (Member)


Syllabus Sub -Committee
Dr. Deepa Mishra (Convener): Department of Engl ish, Smt. C.H.M. College, Ulha snagar
Ms. June Dias (Memb er): Department of Englis h, Jai Hind College, Churchgate
Dr. Kishan Pawar (Memb er): Department of English, M D. College, Parel
Dr. Susan Lobo (Memb er): Department of English, St. Andrew's College, Ban dra
Dr. Satyajit Kosambi (Memb er): Department of English, Sathaye College, Vile Parle

Page 8

2

Board of Studies in English

Syllabus
1 Title of the Course Certificate Course in Folkloristics
2 Eligibility for Admission Candidate who passed 10+2 examination in Arts /
Science / Commerce or equivalent exami nation
3 Intake Capacity 40 Students per batch
4 Passing Marks The candidate must obtain 40 % of the totalmarks in
external and internal examination to pass the course
5 Selection First Come First Served B asis
6 Credits 02 Credits
7 Duration of the Course 6 Months (July -December / January -June)
8 Number of Lectures 30 Hours
9 Fee Structure Rs. 2000/ - (The fee covers tuition fees,
remuneration of teacher, infrastru ctural expenses,
books, statione ry, examination etc .)
10 Teaching Faculty Qualification As per UGC Guidelines
11 Remuneration of T eacher As per University / Government Guidelines
12 Centre Any College/Department/Institution under the
purview of the University of Mumbai
13 Level P.G. / U. G. / Diploma / Certificate
(Strike out which is not applicable)
14 Pattern Yearly / Semester
(Strike out which is not applicable)
15 Status To be implemented from theAcademic Year 2020 -
2021

Date:
Signature:

Page 9

3
Certificate Course in Folkloristics
Preamble:
The Certificate Course in Folkloristics provides an introduction to the foundations of
folkloristics. It is designed to provide a basic understanding of key concepts in folkloristics,
history of the discipline, theory and field work methodology that are c rucial to folklore
studies. As it is important to gain understanding of the people and theories that have
influenced the study of folklore, the course aims to introduce some of the important architects
of folklore study and their major contributions to the field. It will discuss the process
followed by folklorists to collect, edit and present folklore texts. However, we understand
that Folklore isn’t all theory. The practice of folklore requires knowledge about
interpretation, collections, documentation and preservation of folklore. Thus, the course will
provide a concise introduction to the basics of folklore studies to those who are interested in
folklore and folklore studies, to help them begin to identify where their own interests lie.

 Necessity of the Course:
Folklore is all around us. We find them in stories, songs, toys, foods, dress, festivals,
jokes, dances, games, theatre etc. They are omnipresent and influence us in many
ways. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and value folklore. It is al so necessary
to understand the impact folklore has on us. The academic study of folklore in a
disciplined way will provide students with not only with valuable insights into how
various folk groups operate in the society, but would also reveal biases, pre judices
and other obstacles that operate through various cultural forms, to form a more
inclusive worldview. Also, knowledge about indigenous culture and dying traditions
can play a significant role in upholding contemporary socio -economic and political
life of Maharashtra by providing new job opportunities. The ‘Certificate Course in
Folkloristic’ is especially relevant in the context of Maharashtra as it has a tradition of
rich folk culture. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare students in folkloristic a s a
subject of study to preserve various folk forms of India, specifically of Maharashtra
which include folktales, fairy tales, folk music, folk dance, folk theatre , folk festivals
etc. Students will be trained to recognize, identify and analyse various folk forms and
will be acquainted with the process of collection of folklore material in the field using
various latest methodology both traditional and digital methods.

Page 10

4

Objectives:
1. To introduce students to the fascinating world of folklore, its histor y and development
2. To acquaint them with the growth and development of Folkloristics
3. To introduce them to the genres of folklore
4. To enable students to understand and apply some seminal critical approaches to the
study of folklore
5. To introduce students to t he tools, techniques and methods of fieldwork in folklore
Learning Outcome s: After the end of the course students will be equipped
1. To formulate a tentative definition of the term “folklore”
2. To identify the fundamental characteristics and functions of folk lore
3. To identify the basic characteristics of a “folk group”
4. To differentiate between verbal, material , customary folklore and performing arts
5. To interpret and analyze folklore from various theoretical perspectives
6. To understand the role of theories and me thodologies in folklore studies
Unit 1: Introduction to Folklore : (6 Lectures)
a) Definition and characteristics: Folklore, folk group (ethnic folklore, children’s
folklore, occupational folklore), folk belief, tradition, rituals, and customs.
b) Functions of Folklore
Required Readings:
1. Dundes, Alan (ed.) . The Study of Folklore. Prentice Hall PTR,1994, pp. 279-298.
2. Sims, Martha C. and Martine Stephens. Living Folklore: An Introduction to the Study
of People and their Traditions. 2nd ed., Utah State University Press, 2011,
pp.1-129.
Unit II: History of Folkloristics : (4 Lectures)
a) Contribution of the following scho lars to Folklore Studies: William Thoms, Grimm
brothers, Kaarle Krohne, Martha Warren Beckwith, Vladimir Propp, A.K.Ramanujan
b) Growth of Folkloristics in India
Required Readings:
1. Bendix Regina F. and Galit Hasan -Rokem(ed.). A Companion to Folklore. Wiley
Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2012, pp.45 -67.
2. Claus, Peter J. and Frank J. Korom. Folkloristics and Indian Folklore. Regional
Resource Centre for Performing Arts, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College,
1991, pp.1 -45.

Page 11

5
3. Dundes, Alan(ed.) . International Folkloristics: Classic Contributions by the Founders
of Folklore. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999. pp. 9-16,37 -44, 119 -130.
4. Sims, Martha C. and Martine Stephens. Living Folklore: An Introduction to the Study
of People and their Traditions . 2nd ed., Utah State University Press, 2011,
pp.21 -29.
Unit III: Genres of Folklore: (8 Lectures)
A) Broad Categories of Folklore Genres:
a. Verbal Fol klore: Folk songs, folk tales, folk epics, folk ballads, proverbs and
riddles
b. Material Folklore: Crafts, art, artifacts, folk architecture, folk costumes, folk
cookery, ornaments
c. Customary Lore: Rituals, beliefs, fairs and festivals
d. Performing Arts: Folk m usic, folk dances, folk theatre, folk games
B) Genres of Folklore (Indian Context): Verbal Folklore, Material Folklore, Customary
Folklore, and Performing Arts

Required Readings:
1. Handoo, Jawaharlal. 1989. Folklore: An Introduction. Central Institute of Indi an
Languages, 1989, pp.1 -30.
2. Sims, Martha C. and Martine Stephens. Living Folklore: An Introduction to the Study
of People and their Traditions. 2nd ed., Utah State University Press, 2011,
pp.12 -21.

Unit IV: Folklore Theories and Field Work Methodology :
A) Approaches to Folklore: (8 Lectures)
i. Functional Approach
ii. Structural Approach
iii. Psychoanalytic Approach
iv. Feminist Approach
B) “Fieldwork and Ethnography” and ethics of fiel dwork (4 Lectures)
Note: Various approaches to be taught in terms of its application to folklore studies only.
Required Readings:
Sims, Martha C. and Martine Stephens. Living Folklore: An Introduction to the Study of
People and their Traditions . 2nd ed., Utah State University Press, 2011, pp.206 -231.

Page 12

6
Evaluation Pattern:
A) Internal Assessment 40 Marks
Sr. No. Particulars Marks
1.
Assignment 1*:
(a) Written assignment on any one topic from the
curriculum (1000 – 1200 words).
(b) Short oral presentation on the topic followed by Viva
Voce.

15 Marks
10 Marks
2. Assignment 2:
Field Visit*: Field Visit Report (in about 800 words).
The report must include de tails of the visit, a description
of the experience, and a note on insights about
folkloristics derived from the visit. Please note that the
field visit should be organized by the Department.
15 Marks

B) Semester End Examination Pattern 60 Marks
Question 1: Short Notes from Unit I: (3 out of 6) :15 Marks
Question 2: Essay question on Unit II (1 out of 2) :15 Marks
Question 3: Essay question on Unit III (1 out of 2) :15 Marks
Question 4: Essay question on Unit IV (1 out of 2) :15 Marks
Assignment 1*: Students are required to submit the topic of their assignment and get it
approved by the faculty by the third week of the commencement of the course. Students can
proceed with their work only after it has been approved .
Sample topics for the written assignment:
1. Creating a folklore portfolio/album : Students to identify at least 5 to 7 items of verbal,
material, or customary folklore an d make an analysis of the folklores selected. The
analysis must include a description of the folklore, its function, and its relevance to
the folk group (s) it may belong to.
2. Assignment on the work of a folklorist and his contribution. How did the folklor ist
collect, edit and present folklore texts?

Page 13

7
3. An analytical essay on the use of folklore in literary and cultural texts (films, novel,
drama and Television shows) on the basis of given critical approaches or theories
4. Assignment on verbal folklore in India: Indian Childlore
5. Assignment on material folklore in India: such as sarees, lungis, kurtas, stoles,
carpets, drapes, Jewellery, food and cookbooks, dialects and idiosyncrasies, home
décor: doorposts, altars, rangoli, Knick -knacks: pipes, utensils, cradles etc.
6. Assignment on customary folklore in India
7. Assignment on folk performing arts in India
8. Book review on a selected text on folkloristics
9. Written assignment on an analysis of the meaning and relevance of a specific folklore
to the community of its origin .
10. A Fieldwork Project Proposal on a folk group or folklore specifying the tools and
methods of fieldwork
Field Visit* : Field visits could include visits to institutions or organisations involved with the
promotion, preservation, conservation of folklore, and/or in research related to folklore. Such
institutions/organisations would include museums, ethnographic museums, tribal research
and training institutes, cultural heritage centres, galleries, folklore archives etc.

Recommended Books :
Blackburn S. an d A.K. Ramanujan. Another Harmony: New Essays on Folklore of India.
Oxford University Press, 1986.
Bronner, Simon J. Folklore: The Basics. London: Routledge. 2016.
Dorson, Richard M. Folklore and Folklife: An Introduction . Chicago: University of
Chicago Press,1982. pp.405 -445.
Dundes, Alan. From Game to War and Other PsychoanalyticEssays on Folklore: And Other
Psychoanalytic Essays on Folklore , University Press of Kentucky, 1997
Hollis, Susan T. Feminist Theory and the Study of Folklore. Illinois: University of
Illinois Press, 1993.
McNeill, Lynne S. Folklore Rules A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of
Academic Folklore Studies . Utah State University Press,2013.
Oring, Elliott. Folk Groups and Folklore Genre s: An Introduction . Utah State University
Press, 1986.

Page 14

8
Reference Books :
Ashliman, D.L. Folk and Fairy Tales: A Handbook , ABC -CLIO, 2004.
Barbara Walker (ed.). Out of the Ordinary: Folklore and the Supernatural , Utah State
University Press , 1995.
Bauman, Richard (ed). Folklore, Cultural Performance and Popular Entertainment :A
Communications -centered Handbook . Oxford University Press, 1992.
Beck, Brenda E. F. and et.al (ed.) Folktales of India . University of Chicago Press, 1987.
Bronn er, Simon J (ed.): The Meaning of Folklore : The Analytical Essays of Alan Dundes
Utah State University Press, 2007.
Cole, Joanna. Best-loved Folktales of the World. New York: Anchor Books, 1982.

Dharwadkar, Vinaya (ed.). The Collected Essays of A. K. Ramanujan . Oxford: New York:
Oxford University Press, 1999.
Dundes, Alan. Interpreting Folklore. Bloomington . Indiana University Press,1980.
------ . Folklore Matters . University of Tennessee Press: Knoxville. 1989.
------ (ed.) Folklore: Critic al Concepts in Literary and Cultural Studies .
Routledge, 2005.
Finnegan, Ruth. Oral Traditions and the Verbal Arts: A Guide to Research Practices. New
York: Routledge. 1992.
Garry, Jane, and Hasan M El -Shamy. Archetypes and Motifs in Folklore and Literature: A
Handbook, Taylor & Francis Group, 2004.
Green, T.A (ed). Folklore, Encyclopedia of Beliefs, Customs, Tales, Music and Art . England:

ABC -CLIO, 1997.

Handoo, Jawaharlal. Theoretical Essays in Indian Folklore . Mysore:
Zooni Publications,2000.
Lacan, Jacque. Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis . New York State University
Press. 1995.
Naithani, Sadhana. The Story -Time of the British Empire: Colonial and Postcolonial
Folkloristic s. University Press of Mississippi,2010.

Page 15

9
Sen Gupta, Sankar . Folklore and Folklife in India: An Objective Study in Indian Perspective .
Indian Publications, 1975.
Shoemaker, George H. The Emergence of Folklore in Everyday Life: A Field Guide and
Sourcebook. Trickster Press, 1990.
Propp, Vladimir, et al. Theory and History of Folklore. University of Minnesota Press, 1984.
Prown, Jules David. 1982. “Mind in matter: An introduction to material culture theory and

method.” Winterthur Portfolio , vol. 17:1. 1 -19.

UNESCO. Basic Texts of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage . 2018 Edition, UNESCO, 2018.
Winick, Stephen, and Peter Bartis. Folklife and Fieldwork: An Introduction to Cultural
Documentation , Fourth Edition, Publications of the American Folklife Center,2016.
Web Resources:

“Open Folklore” is a scholarly resource which provides access to a variety of open access
resources.
https://op enfolklore.org/

Note:
1. At the end of the course, the Centre (College/Institute/Department) should ensure that the
university rules and regulations have been duly followed .
2. On the basis of examination results and credits earned by the studen t, the Centre will
issue the joint certificate with the name of University and College/Institute/Department .