Ethnomusicology and folklore focus on heritage
Students looking for classes that offer a wide range of topics can turn to one of IU’s top-ranked programs – the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology. The department focuses on material culture, tradition and heritage. \nThe folklore department paired up with the ethnomusicology department in 2000 because, according to the Folklore and Ethnomusicology Department’s Web site, these two areas of study are so similar that it was inevitable that they would join. Folklore and ethnomusicology offer a wide variety of topics for undergraduates to choose from.\nSusan Harris, a recorder for graduate and undergraduate studies, said the most popular courses deal with topics such as hip-hop, myth, legend and popular science. For example, the hip-hop class takes a look at and defines hip-hop music in popular culture.\n“All of our introductory courses are really good to find out what folklore is all about,” Harris added.\nThe Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology also has a graduate program that offers comprehensive training in methods and approaches in traditional arts, popular culture, politics and public policy.\nMellonee Burnim, a professor in the department, said studying folklore allows students to explore aspects of different cultures. Through this process, students are able to come to a better understanding of themselves, Burnim said.\n“(Students) are interested because there are subject areas they can identify with in their own lives,” Burnim said.\nThe difference between folklore and ethnomusicology is that ethnomusicology deals exclusively with music. Some of the courses offered in ethnomusicology study African, Chinese, African-American and Jewish music. The department is currently looking to add a course devoted to Latin music as well. Ethnomusicology also offers courses in musical instruments, which relates to the material area of folklore.\n “We look at music within a cultural context,” Burnim added.\nStudents can major and minor in folklore and ethnomusicology. To achieve a minor in folklore, students only need 15 credit hours, including one 300-level course, a methods and theory course and three additional courses with no more then than two at the 100 level. Folklore and ethnomusicology courses can be a way to gain arts and humanities credits as well as social and historical credits. \n“I would recommend every folklore class,” said Marcia Jones, a fifth-year senior at IU working toward a minor in folklore and ethnomusicology. “They are the most fun classes I have had in my college career.”