Program Overview

The MA in Folklore at UC Berkeley explores the relationship between tradition and modernity, emphasizing fieldwork and contemporary research methods. The program's core curriculum includes courses on folklore, theories of traditionality, and fieldwork methodology. Students can pursue their interests through elective courses on topics such as ethnomusicology, folk art, and performance studies. The program culminates in a thesis based on original research and prepares students for careers in academia, museum studies, and other fields where an understanding of folklore is valuable.