Discussion Post 4: Is It Folklore?
Purpose We have been learning about children’s folklore, including the ghost stories children tell. I think it is useful in this course to revisit the question with which we began the class: what is folklore? After reading and watching this week’s materials, take the following example and offer your opinion of why we should or should not consider it folklore.
Task
In order to successfully complete this discussion, you will need to complete the following tasks using the criteria outlined below:
Becky is a third grader who one night sneaks downstairs to watch the horror movie Friday the 13th: Part III about a supernatural maniac who massacres summer camp counselors with a machete. After a sleepless night, she goes to school and tells her friends at recess all about Jason Vorhees, the hockey-masked serial killer. She gives them her third-grade interpretation of what she saw in the film but many of the details and plot points are muddled and wrong. She makes up what she can’t remember. Her classmates hang on her every word and go home and tell their younger brothers and sisters the story, at least as well as they can remember it from Becky’s version. The younger children tell each other the story over the next few days. A folklorist visiting the school to collect items of children’s ghost stories hears a version of the story told by a second-grader at recess. Is it folklore? Why or why not?
Respond to TWO peers.
Criteria For Success
Initial Post (DUE: Friday, May 24th by 11:59 pm EST) 5 pts
Your initial post will be evaluated using the following criteria. In the initial post the student scholar:
Uses the weekly materials to construct an academic argument that addresses the discussion question in a thorough and logical manner.
Correctly uses key terms and concepts. Thoroughly addresses all components of the prompt. Ideas are clear and on-topic.
Follows grammar conventions. The writing is concise and easy to read.
Writes approximately 250 words.
Response to Two Peers Each of your two responses to peers will be evaluated using the following criteria. In each response, the student scholar:
Furthers the conversation by asking thoughtful questions, responding directly to statements of others, and contributing additional analysis. Builds on peers’ contributions by presenting logical viewpoints or challenges.
Follows grammar conventions. The writing is concise and easy to read.
Writes approximately 100 words.
Category: folk
Discussion Post 3: Verbal Folklore
Purpose
The purpose of this discussion is to develop an awareness of the verbal folklore around you. This discussion gives you the opportunity to identify folklore in your own life and to begin to apply the concepts and terms from our class to the study of your own folklore.
Task
In order to successfully complete this discussion, you will need to complete the following tasks using the criteria outlined below:
After reading and watching this week’s materials, address the following question:
Choose one example of an item of verbal folklore (either a riddle, a proverb, or a legend) that you are familiar with and explain why it fits the definition of that genre (for example, how do we know that your proverb is a proverb?) Do not just use the given definition with no further explanation (that is, do not write “This is a proverb because it is a traditional statement assumed to convey some ethical of philosophical truth,” tell us what truth it is thought to convey. What might you say about the cultural context? What characteristics of the genre does it show? Are there structural elements or specific functions that help categorize it?
You may use the internet to locate an example, but make sure to name the site you use in your post.
Respond to two peers.
Criteria For Success
Initial Post (DUE: Friday, May 17th by 11:59 pm EST) 5 pts
Your initial post will be evaluated using the following criteria. In the initial post the student scholar:
Uses the weekly materials to construct an academic argument that addresses the discussion question in a thorough and logical manner.
Correctly uses key terms and concepts. Thoroughly addresses all components of the prompt. Ideas are clear and on-topic.
Follows grammar conventions. The writing is concise and easy to read.
Writes approximately 250 words.
Response to Two Peers (DUE: Sunday, May 19th by 11:59 pm EST) 2.5 pts per response
Each of your two responses to peers will be evaluated using the following criteria. In each response, the student scholar:
Furthers the conversation by asking thoughtful questions, responding directly to statements of others, and contributing additional analysis. Builds on peers’ contributions by presenting logical viewpoints or challenges.
Follows grammar conventions. The writing is concise and easy to read.
Writes approximately 100 words.