Folklore and Public Culture Program

The Folklore and Public Culture Program at University of Oregon is one of a few major centers of folkloristic research in the US. Students study the ways tradition continues to enrich human behavior throughout the world and gain fresh perspectives on the ethnic, regional, occupational, gender, and other identities of individuals in specific communities.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Folklore and Public Culture

Theoretical analyses, research methods, and fieldwork techniques are integral parts of the folklore and public culture curriculum and provide students with a foundation for employment in:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Research institutes
  • Museums and archives
  • State and local government
  • Arts councils
  • Arts festivals
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Libraries and special collections
  • Historical preservation societies
  • New media, online media, newspapers and magazines

Our Degree Programs

Students in folklore and public culture can pursue a bachelor of arts, master of arts, or master of science degree. An undergraduate minor is also available. Courses cover an extensive range of interdisciplinary topics including cultural heritage, ethnicity, subcultures, popular culture, performance, gender, film, religion, public folklore, and issues of diversity and globalization.

 

Groups of people sitting at tables at a convention with projector screen in background
Learn from Experts in the Field

With more than 30 core and participating faculty, the students in the Folklore and Public Culture Program have access to an interdisciplinary range of subjects and expertise, allowing them to create a focused course of study in their areas of interest.

photo of students wearing backpacks hiking in a ocean grass toward a by with mountains in the distance
Get Real-world Experience

Our students extend their learning beyond the classroom through numerous experiential learning opportunities. Immerse yourself in another culture while studying abroad, develop vital job skills in an internship, or conduct original research on a topic that sparks your interest.

Scholarships and Funding

Students can apply for scholarships and awards from the Folklore and Public Culture Program and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduate Scholarships    
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Our academic advisors can help students understand their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising     
Support for Graduate Students

Folklore and Public Culture Program News and Events

FOLKLORE AND PUBLIC CULTURE - Nearly 50 years after his death, Steve Prefontaine still motivates Eugene and University of Oregon runners to honor him. Professor Daniel Wojcik remembers running with the iconic runner in the May-June issue of CAS Connection.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, FOLKLORE AND PUBLIC CULTURE - After a recent week in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, five UO graduate students have returned ready to use what they learned to help local communities plan for a more sustainable future.
FOLKLORE AND PUBLIC CULTURE - Graduating students offer parting words and reflect on their time at the University of Oregon.

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Three Minute Thesis Competition
Nov21
Three Minute Thesis Competition Nov 21 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Women in Economics Club
Nov21
Women in Economics Club Nov 21 Allen Hall
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire"
Nov21
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire" Nov 21 Miller Theatre Complex
Human Physiology Seminar Speaker: Dr. David Doolette, Scientific Director, U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit
Nov22
Human Physiology Seminar Speaker: Dr. David Doolette, Scientific Director, U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit Nov 22 Lawrence Hall
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Chemistry Seminar: Hazardous Waste Determinations and New TSCA Legislation at University of Oregon
Nov22
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Chemistry Seminar: Hazardous Waste Determinations and New TSCA Legislation at University of Oregon Nov 22 Willamette Hall
Cultural Rhythms - Dance Traditions From Around the World
Nov22
Cultural Rhythms - Dance Traditions From Around the World Nov 22 Yamada Language Center
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire"
Nov22
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire" Nov 22 Miller Theatre Complex
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire"
Nov23
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire" Nov 23 Miller Theatre Complex
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire"
Nov24
University Theatre Presents "Frankenstein: Playing with Fire" Nov 24 Miller Theatre Complex
Department of History Coffee Hour
Nov26
Department of History Coffee Hour Nov 26 McKenzie Hall

All events »