Module Code and Title:       LIT105 Myths, Morals and Memory: Folk Literature

Programme:                          BA in English Studies

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       Runa Chakraborty, Vanlallawmkimi, Sonam Deki, Tshering Choden

Module Coordinator:             Runa Chakraborty

General objective: This module aims to acquaint students with diverse types of myths, legends, ballads, fables, pour-quoi tales, tall tales, trickster tales, fairy tales, and folk tales gathered from different parts of the world.  The purpose of this module is to make students aware of the importance of culture and heritage in our social lives. This module will help students appreciate nuances of diverse cultures reflected through various genres of folk literature. The module underscores the dominance of the mainstream literature and enables students to understand the significance of the subaltern voice echoed through oral tradition. Moreover, this module specifically focuses on Bhutanese folklore in order to make students familiar with the cultural tradition of Bhutan and to make them aware of the necessity of preserving the unique heritage of the country. Finally the module seeks to help students learn the art of documentation and preservation of cultural heritage through a small Research Project.  

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, learners should be able to:

1. Explain the significance of oral tradition in the context of art and literature.

1. Relate Bhutanese folklore to the unique heritage of the country.
2. Analyse the features of folk literature from different critical angles.
3. Discuss how folk culture reflects the power politics of a particular society.
4. Write analyses of the literary texts they encounter in this module.

1. Make inter-textual connections among the prescribed texts.

1. Complete a small research project on different domains of folk culture.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Written Assignment 1: Portion of Final Marks: 15%

A short critical response of 300 – 500 words on a prescribed text analysing features of folk literature from diverse critical angles. The first draft will be marked out of 5% of the total weight, and the final submission out of the 10%, with 2% on improvement based on the feedback received on the draft. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

B. Written Assignment 2: Portion of Final Marks: 20%

Students will work in groups of 4-5 members each to collect folk tales and songs, and document the process (individually). The collection of data (group work) will be graded on 10%, and the field report on the process (individual work) will be graded on 10%. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

C. Presentation: Portion of Final Marks: 15%

Presentation of the field report by individual members will be graded out of 10%, and the group coordination will be graded out of 5%.The duration of each individual presentation will be of 5 minutes and the total time of presentation for each group should not exceed 40 minutes. Assessment will be based on the ‘Oral Tasks’ rubric.

D. Class participation and preparedness: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will be expected to participate substantially in class discussions, with contributions reflecting adequate preparation for topics under discussion. 5% of class participation and preparedness will be assessed before mid-term and the remaining 5% post midterm. Assessment will be based on the ‘Participation and Preparedness’ rubric.

E. Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5 hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester.

 Pre-requisites:

 Subject matter:

1. Folklore
   • Introduction to Folklore
     • Definition
     • Scope
     • Characteristics
     • Folklore as reflections of values and culture of a society
     • Dominant Discourse Vs Alternative Voices
   • Oral Tradition
     • Origin
     • Characteristics
     • Significance
   • Bhutanese Folklore
     • Origin and Characteristics
     • Role of Oral Tradition in Bhutanese Life and Literature
     • Reflection of Bhutanese Values and Culture
     • Bhutanese Myths: Reading and analysis of The Speaking Statue and The Sword that Rides the Wind: Focus on Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom
     • Bhutanese Folktales: Reading and analysis of “The Lame Monkey” from Folktales of Bhutan by Kunzang Choden and “The Buffalo with Sixteen Horns” from Bhutanese Folktales (from the East and the South) by Gopilal Acharya.
     • Reading and Analysis of “Oral Traditions as Alternative Literature: Voices of Dissent in Bhutanese Folktales” by Dorji Penjore

1. Folk Literature
   • Myth
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Examples of Creation Myths from Greece and Biblical Stories of Creation: (The Origin  of the Cosmos and The Origin of Mankind)
     • Bhutanese Myths: Reading and analysis of “Flying Rocks-Megaliths of Dagana” and “The Myth of Drib Shing” from Sonam Kinga’s Speaking Statues, Flying Rocks
   • Legend
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Examples from Arthurian Legends – Reading and analysis of Legend of Excalibur: Focus on the grandeur and larger than life quality of legends
   • Ballad
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Reading and Analysis of The Ballad of Father Gilligan: Focus on spiritual conflict and belief systems
   • Pour-Quoi Tale
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Example from Native American Pour-quoi tale: Reading and analysis of The Origin of the Buffalo Dance: Focus on the interdependent relationship between mankind and animals
   • Tall Tale
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Example from North American Tall Tale: Reading and analysis of Davy Crockett and the Frozen Dawn: Focus on the exaggerated tale of Davy Crockett
   • Trickster Tale
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Example from African Trickster tale: Reading and analysis of Ansani and the Yam Hills: Focus on nature of stereotypical trickster tale with stereotypical themes
   • Fable
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Example from Aesop’s Fable: Reading and analysis of Country Mouse and Town Mouse: focus on the magical imaginary subject removed from real world
   • Moral Tales
     • Definition
     • Characteristics
     • Example from Jataka Tales: Reading and analysis of The Golden Plate: Focus on the punishment of evil and reward of good /virtue (morality tale)
   • Folk Tales
     • Origin
     • Features
     • Significance
     • Example : Reading and analysis of The Monkey and the Crocodile from Folktales from India by A.K.Ramanujan
   • Fairy Tales
     • Origin
     • Features
     • Significance
     • Example: Reading and analysis of The Peasant and the Devil and The Moon from The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

1. Preservation and Documentation
   • Collection of Bhutanese Folk Materials (Myths, Lo-zeys, Ballads, Proverbs,Tsangmos) first-hand from different sources .
   • Basic documentation of Folk Materials.
   • Preservation and archiving of Bhutanese Folk Materials through written, oral and digital forms.

 Reading List:

1. Essential Reading (A compiled coursepack of the shorter reading materials will be made available to students)
   • Acharya, G (2004) Bhutanese Folktales (from the East and the South). Pe Khang Publications, Thimphu
   • (2014). Aesop’s Fables--The Fortune Teller and Other Stories. Shree Book Centre (for Fables).
   • Schlosser, S.E. (1997). Davy Crockett and the Frozen Dawn. Retrieved from Americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/davy_crockett_and_the_frozen_d.html (for Tall tales)
   • Auld, M. (2007). Traditional Anansi Stories. Retrieved fromcom/Traditional_Stories.html (for Trickster tales).
   • ‘Prince Goodspeaker’. (n.d.). Buddhist Tales for Young and Old. Retrieved from http://www.buddhanet.net/bt1_conts.htm (for Moral Tales).
   • Bulfinch, T. (1993). The Golden Age of Myth & Legend. Wordsworth Editions.
   • Choden, K. (2006). Folktales of Bhutan. White Lotus Press.
   • Dorji, C. (Summer 2009). Preserving Our Folktales, Myths and Legends in the Digital Era. Journal of Bhutan Studies, 20. Retrieved from http://www. bhutanstudies.org.bt
   • Grimm, J. and Grimm, W. (2011). The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Createspace Independent Pub.
   • Hall, S. E. (1995). Ethnographic Collections in the Archive of Folk Culture: A Contributor’s Guide. Library of Congress Washington. Retrieved from eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED383635.pdf
   • Kinga, Dr. S. (n.d.). The Attributes and Values of Folk and Popular Songs. Retrieved from http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/publicationFiles/JBS/JBS Vol3No1/5.songs.pdf
   • Kinga, Sonam (2005). Speaking Statues, Flying Rocks. DSB Publications (Bhutan)
   • Mazikana, P. and Moss, W. W. (1986). Introduction: Oral Tradition and Oral History. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0006/000687/068747eo.pdf
   • Penjore, D. (Summer 2009). Oral Traditions as Alternative Literature: Voices of Dissent in Bhutanese Folktales. Journal of Bhutan Studies.20. Retrieved from bhutanstudies.org.bt.
   • Ramanujan, A.K. (2009). Folktales from India. Penguin Books, India.
   • StoneE Productions. (1996). ‘The Origins of the Buffalo Dance’. Native American Lore. Retrieved from http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore02.html
   • Yeats, W.B. The Ballad of Father Gilligan. http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/fr_gilligan.html
2. Additional Reading
   • Kapstein, M. (2006). The Tibetans. Blackwell Publishing.
   • Tashi, T. (2013). Myth and Memory: Untold Stories of Bhutan. Bhutan Publishing House.
   • Leach, M. (Ed.). (1950). Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend.2. Funk and Wagnalls Company.
   • Vansina, J. (1985). Oral Tradition as History. University of Wisconsin Press.

 Date: December 20, 2015

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