Folklore is the study of the oral and written traditions, beliefs, myths, tales and practices of a people. While folklorists study traditions passed down through generations, they also consider expressive elements found in popular culture and media. Many look at modern phenomena, from urban legends to jokes, from hockey culture to skateboarding, from Ouija boards to tourism.

Jump to

• Admission requirements
• Your first year
• Sample courses and degree map
• Career opportunities

Folklore at Memorial

As the only Anglophone university in Canada to offer comprehensive folklore programs at all levels, Memorial provides folklorists with rich opportunities for innovative community partnerships and learning experiences.

Our Department of Folklore has built an international reputation as a thriving, imaginative, eclectic and highly professional department. Ethnographic field research practices are fundamental to folklore studies.

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Admission requirements to degree

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose Folklore as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

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Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take in your first year of the folklore program.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

1. Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of Folklore or contact the undergraduate program director.

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Sample courses and degree map

FOLK 2500 - Oral Literature from Around the World
FOLK 3200 - Music, Song and Tradition
FOLK 3606 - Supernatural Folklore

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

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Career opportunities

The study of folklore lends itself to a variety of careers including:

• communications
• archivist
• festival director
• museum curator
• arts administration
• grant officer
• teaching

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.

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