Folklife Concentration
The folklife concentration provides students with training in the analysis of folk art, craft, and vernacular architecture. Folklife concentrators take 30 hours of coursework, including Anth 6562 (old Anth 296), Folklife Theory, and 6561 (old 297), American Folklife and write a thesis.
Requirements
- The standard program consists of 36 hours of course credits, including 3-6 hours of thesis credits, although a thesis is not required for some program concentrations.
- All students take reading seminars (proseminars) that survey the four fields. These are Anth 6101-6104 (old 201-204). Students must take the proseminar in sociocultural anthropology (Anth 6102/202); students with appropriate background may place out of up to two of the other proseminars.
- The decision on placing out is made by the proseminar instructor based on transcripts, syllabi, papers, etc., submitted by the student.
- Each proseminar concludes with a qualifying exercise, which students must pass with at least a B-.
- All students must also take a methods course.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- All students must demonstrate competency in an approved foreign language.
- Students must successfully write an Integrating Essay that articulates their particular focus within anthropology and relates it to three of the four fields.
- For details, consult the graduate handbook on mapping out a program.
Professor John Vlach is the advisor for folklife students. To contact Dr. Vlach, click here.
Meet the Program Director: John Michael Vlach
Professor John Michael Vlach has concentrated his scholarship on aspects of the African Diaspora by conducting field research in Africa, the Caribbean, and the southern regions of the United States. His 10 books cover numerous topics in American decorative arts, vernacular architecture, and rural landscape. Dr. Vlach has also developed exhibitions for art museums, historical societies, and libraries across the country.