Storytelling is a fundamental process in all human communities, fulfilling a variety of social, psychological and aesthetic needs. This course explores a wide spectrum of narrative forms (such as myths, legends, tales, jokes, etc.) in traditional settings as well as in new media. The course also surveys approaches to the study of narrative in folkloristics and related fields, and students learn to identify and work with some of the major theoretical approaches brought to the cultural study of narrative.

Any further information--course-related--may be downloaded from our department web page: www.upenn.edu/folklore/