Mythology and Folklore
The 15-credit minor in Mythology and Folklore examines the essential role of cultural myths and folk stories for various communities around the world. Thus, it is deeply imbedded in an exploration of intangible and tangible cultural heritage. Narrowly, the term “folklore” has been traditionally considered the oral tales of a society. More broadly, the term refers to all aspects of human culture - beliefs, traditions, norms, behaviors, language, literature, jokes, music, art, foodways, tools, objects, etc.
Topics of the courses from which students may choose include one or more of the following themes: ancient myths and modern fantasy, storytelling through art and music, religious myth and culture, building practices and influence, and the written word. Students may also apply the concepts of their coursework in a variety of positions offered at local, regional or national organizations that require cultural competency.