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.

All news »


History Pub Lecture Series: “Halt! Tomare! Halt!”: The Nature of Officially Sanctioned Violence in Japan Under US Occupation
Nov11
History Pub Lecture Series: “Halt! Tomare! Halt!”: The Nature of Officially Sanctioned Violence in Japan Under US Occupation Nov 11 Whirled Pies Downtown
Department of History Coffee Hour
Nov12
Department of History Coffee Hour Nov 12 McKenzie Hall
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together
Nov12
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together Nov 12 Susan Campbell Hall
Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM (CMAE/Zoom)
Nov12
Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM (CMAE/Zoom) Nov 12 CMAE
Graduate School Fair 2024
Nov13
Graduate School Fair 2024 Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop)
Nov13
Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop) Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom)
Nov13
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom) Nov 13 Peterson Hall
Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop)
Nov13
Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop) Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom)
Nov13
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom) Nov 13 Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
How to Manage Stress, Rejection & the Haters in Your Midst
Nov14
How to Manage Stress, Rejection & the Haters in Your Midst Nov 14

All events »