Study Guide for Exam II – IDST 2115 ~ Magoulick
NOTE: This second exam will be very much like the first, except that it will not have the reading identification questions, but it WILL have the addition of a long essay question. Remember for the SHORT essay questions, your answers should usually be about 1 paragraph each (though length is less important than answering the question well). For the LONG essay answer, which is worth substantially more points, you should write substantially more, usually at least 5 paragraphs (about 2 pages in most handwriting). So timing will be important for this exam. Leave yourself about a half hour to answer the long essay.
See your syllabus for a list of readings assigned up to this point (since the first exam).
Films you are responsible for: Monsters: Mysteries or Myth & The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend
Be prepared to answer questions on all the lectures, films & readings.
Why do folklorists study the stories of other cultures?
How can stories from long ago still be considered "legends"?
How do monstrous legends from the past compare to monstrous legends of today?
What pseudo proofs are offered for Bigfoot and other monsters and why are they “pseudo”?
Why do we tell "monstrous legends"? What do they reveal about humanity?
How might the media and popular culture influence monstrous or outlandish legends?
What is the difference between a rumor and a legend?
What is the purpose of legends?
How are urban legends different from local legends?
What are some kind of legends and their functions (teenage, food contamination, etc.)
What pseudo proofs are offered for legends and why are they “pseudo”?
Define joke and riddle. Be aware of their function and circumstances in which they are used. Give examples of each.
Be familiar with these names in the study of folklore (and their contributions): Jan Brunvand, Elliot Oring, Ruth Finnegan.
What is a likely function of disaster jokes?
Which is (are) the most common genre(s) of narrative in our culture?
What does our reading explain about jokes?
What's the difference between a malevolent and benevolent practical joke (examples?)?
Why do people tell riddles?
Be prepared to discuss the various examples of several TYPES of jokes (see website).
What are the main characteristics of oral poetry?
What is a ballad? What is a lyric song? What is an epic? What is the difference?
Explain similarities and differences between oral and written poetry?
Give an example of an oral poem.
What does mnemonic mean? How does it apply to oral poetry?
What are some distinguishing features of poetry? What is metaphor, alliteration, rhythm, etc.?
How does music connect to poetry?
How is music connected to ritual, dance, story, and poetry?
What is ethnomusicology?
What are characteristics of folksongs?
What is the appeal of folksongs?
Be prepared to discuss the various examples of music and oral poetry listened to in class
What are the three main classes of musical instruments (from class) and know some variations of each.
Be prepared to describe some influences on American music from around the world.
Discuss styles of contemporary music and their roots.
NOTE: You are also responsible for questions on material culture, including folk art and folk craft (and the film The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend).