College Life

Private Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Harvard University
• George Washington University
• Goucher College (graduate
• University of Pennsylvania (graduate)

State Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Indiana University Bloomington
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Oregon
• University of Southern California
• University of Wisconsin, Madison

Classes in the Major

Fairy Tales. The stories you were told as a child, like Jack and the Beanstalk or King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, will serve as great introductions in these classes. While the origins of many of these tales can't be effectively traced, they share many common techniques, like hyperbole—because all folk tales, at their heart, are super messed up. An emphasis will be placed on recurring themes, such as utopian and dystopian societies, innocence and seduction, and fear versus comfort.

Folklore and the Bible. Courses that connect folklore with the Bible will shed light on the metaphoric nature of this book, as well as the many lessons it aims to teach. These classes will likely focus on both the Old and New Testaments. Ideas such as heroism, the difference between oral tradition and text, and collective beliefs will be addressed in a way that presents the Bible in a light not often read. Whether you have thumbed through it once or read it religiously (ha) for years, these courses will help you discover new aspects of one of the best-selling books of all time.

History of Folklore Theory. Folklore has grown in popularity over the years. While it may have started as fodder for campfire stories, it's now the subject of serious academic investigation. Here, you'll study the progression of folklore in academia and learn the history behind the stories. You'll venture away from metaphors and learn cold-hard facts, such as the historical and cultural backdrop for these classic tales. And once you've learned about the progression of the theories surrounding folklore and myths, you'll be able to successfully upset your friends about the sometimes-gruesome history of their favorite childhood bedtime stories. #lifegoals

Monsters. The study of monsters will not only explain how they became myths, but also their presence in literary culture as a whole. Many famous themes have been conveyed through the use of monsters, such as good versus evil and omnipotence (Frankenstein) and how to better manage energy resources (Monsters, Inc.). You'll begin questioning the meaning of every mythical beast from the Loch Ness Monster to Sasquatch. Not only that, but everyone will want to talk to you at parties.

Popular Culture: Many myths and folktales come from complex, often subtle aspects of popular culture. You'll learn why Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and Pecos Bill were such popular tall tales, and probably what they reflected about the culture of the time. Here, you'll think about the differences between George Washington's cherry tree and the popularity of zombies today. Hint: It's not just a trend. They're coming.