The Study Of American Folklore - An Introduction, Second Edition

by Jan Harold Brunvand

Written expressly for the introductory undergraduate course, The Study of American Folklore provides students with solid and succinct definitions, illuminating and engaging examples, and up-to-date resources for further reading, all framed within an organization that is flexible and teachable." "New to the Fourth Edition are 67 "Focus" points that offer students in-depth examples of folk genres, research methods, and theoretical approaches. Designed to spur student discussion and research, "Focus" points are accompanied by questions and project suggestions." "In addition, 70 black-and-white photographs have been added to the Fourth Edition to aid student understanding; they are especially useful for the study of material and performative folk traditions.

Genres: Folklore, History, Nonfiction, School, Education

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1968

About the author

Jan Harold Brunvand (born 1933) is a professor emeritus of English at the University of Utah in the United States, best known for spreading the concept of the urban legend, or modern folklore. Before his work, folk tales were associated with ancient times or rural cultures; Brunvand's breakthrough was to take concepts developed in the academic study of traditional folktales and apply them to stories circulating in the modern world.

Brunvand is the author of several well-known books on the topic of urban legends, starting with The Vanishing Hitchhiker in 1981. This book brought urban legends to popular attention in the United States. Follow-up works include The Choking Doberman (1984), The Mexican Pet (1988), Curses! Broiled Again! (1990), The Baby Train (1993), and others. He also edited the one-volume American Folklore: An Encyclopedia (1996), as well as several textbooks.

Born in Cadillac, Michigan, Brunvand received a Ph.D. in folklore from Indiana University in 1961. He taught at several U.S. universities before joining the University of Utah in 1966. He retired in 1996, but remains a popular speaker and writer; he gave the keynote address at the 2003 meeting of the Missouri Folklore Society, of which he is a longtime member.

Reviews

[Eileen O'Finlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the myriad facets of the study of American folklore.

[Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book isn't really set up like a textbook, and thus it can be hard to flip to info you need while doing homework (and my highlighter bleeds right through!)... I'm enjoying the content.

I also wish the mini sections within chapters wouldn't just start at random spots (maybe they don't, it just seems so) and have to be skipped while you're finishing the chapter text. Then I forget to go back and read them. And content from within them HAS been on the quizzes. They should have put them all at the end of the chapter or something.

One other thing that bothers me... the book is dismissive of certain arts in the "Superstitions" chapter. Even though at the start of the chapter it tries to point out that the word superstition is a loaded word, but useful, out of traditional use in folklore study. But it proceeds to be rather judgemental about divination, dowsing, astrology, and the like. It even claims that dowsing supposedly works by "magic". Of all the claims of the mechanics of dowsing I've seen when researching the topic, magic was never mentioned. Sensing electromagnetic fields, yes. Magic? No. Ah well... one author and his bias.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my American Folklore class this semester. It approached the subject by dividing it into categories: i.e. folklore, folk music, folk crafts, folk foods, etc. I enjoyed connecting with some of the areas, like making "Cat's Cradle" or discussing superstitions like "knock on wood" and saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes. This book may not challenge your thinking much, but there is some neat history.

[Stu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine overview covering many fields of folklore and folklife. If you're new to the discipline, this is for you. Even if you're an old hand, this will fill in some gaps and, perhaps, introduce you to some new authors and concepts.

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. Good if you want a resource that includes references to Mormon folkways. The big takeaway from this one is that folklore is difficult to define. Everything—and nothing—constitutes folklore.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title implies this is an introductory of American folklore. It discusses the role of folklore in cultures.

[Edgar Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice study of folklore and it's origin.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overview of the topic in general

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I carried this with me as a keeper after reading it initially. I need to read the more recent edition of this classic text.
Highly recommended.