1111.02 - Oral Tradition

1111.02

Oral Tradition

12

To give the students a basic knowledge of Faroese ballads, fairy tales and legends, and to give a general overview of the genres, characteristics, forms and contents.

Oral tradition consists of poetry and narrative styles, which were created and transmitted in unwritten communication. The oral narrative genres in verse include ballads, songs, satiric ballads and other dance poems, in addition to minor types of poetry such as rhymes. Narrative genres in prose appear above all in legends and fairytales. Short forms are riddles, proverbs, etc. The main subjects are ballads, legends and fairytales. In addition research history and theory will be taught, and the oral tradition of neighbouring countries will be touched upon. The instruction will give a general overview of the genres, characteristics, forms and contents, and there will be discussion of important research questions linked to the various genres. Various schools of research into oral poetry will be discussed and assessed. Certains questions will be closer examined.. Individual ballads, legends or fairytales and/or groups of these will be more thoroughly dealt with. Emphasis will be placed on the development of tradition and other aspects of folkloristic evaluations, such as use and function, compared to other approaches, for example, aesthetic and philological. The recording of oral poetry will be discussed with emphasis on the recording of the Faroese ballads. Examination At the examination the student is required to - demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Faroese ballads, legends and fairytales. - demonstrate general knowledge of poetry in the oral tradition in neighbouring countries. - explain the development and the conditions that characterize the creation and handing over of poetry in the oral tradition regarding form as well as contents - describe the various views within contemperary research with regard to the scholarly and cultural trends in the period. Examination requirements Ballads: Three heroic ballads and six other ballads, encompassing all other ballad genres. Legends: About 50 pages in published editions. Fairytales: About 50 pages in published editions. Theory: The equivalent of 4 scholarly works must be submitted, of these a suitable selection of texts on each folklore genre in consultation with the tutor and in accordance with the tuition. The submitted material should cover questions of interpretation, questions of age and origin and methodic/critical theory, including collection, documentation and development of tradition.

2 lessons a week over 3 terms or the equivalent.

The student may choose to take an oral exam with half an hour preparation time. The student can have the submitted papers and notes with him/her when preparing. 2: write a paper on a subject chosen by the candidate.

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