Program Overview

Folklore Studies Graduate Certificate

Overview

The certificate in folklore studies enables students to explore the processes of tradition that move through multiple expressive forms, such as folktales, folk beliefs, folk medicine, folk art, folksong, and literature. A discipline based on ethnographic fieldwork, folklore studies offers students a chance to work in communities and collect living traditional materials that are critical to human identity and values. Interdisciplinary by nature, folklore thrives on local particularities as well as compelling global connections.

This certificate prepares students for careers in cultural agencies, governmental organizations, and teaching institutions, and advanced study in folklore and in the humanities.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the graduate certificate in folklore studies, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 18

This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.

Core Courses

• FOLK 501: Advanced Introduction to Folklore and Folklife (3 credits)
• FOLK 510: Folklore and Ethnographic Research Methods (3 credits)
• FOLK 601: Folklore Theory and History (3 credits) Total Credits: 9

Electives

• Select 3 courses (9 credits) from the following:
  • FOLK 550: Topics in Public and Applied Folklore
  • FOLK 560: Topics in Genre and Theory
  • FOLK 570: Topics in Regional Folklore Studies
  • FOLK 690: Field School for Cultural Documentation Total Credits: 9