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.

 

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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 — Alix Roederer-Morin, winter ’26, chose the folklore and public culture master's program at the University of Oregon because it’s one of the rare places in North America to offer an academic program in the field. It often leads students to unexpected areas of interest, such as analyzing car culture and creating a documentary about lowrider culture.
CINEMA STUDIES, IRES, COMPARATIVE LITERATURE, ENGLISH, NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES, FOLKLORE AND PUBLIC CULTURE — Filmlandia is a film series running during winter and spring 2026. Each term will feature seven film screenings that spotlight Oregon’s unmistakable cinematic fingerprints. The screenings are free and open to the public.
Through fellowships, the Oregon Humanities Center at the University of Oregon works to promote innovative humanities research produced by faculty members at the UO. The fellowships are for tenure-track faculty and are awarded on an annual basis. The 2025-26 fellows include CAS faculty members in the Divisions of Humanities and Social Sciences.

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NW-NALRC Consultation and Assistance Time
Mar18
NW-NALRC Consultation and Assistance Time Mar 18
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops
Apr1
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops Apr 1
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops
Apr2
NW-NALRC Community Project Planning and Development Workshops Apr 2
Geography Colloquium: "Documenting and Projecting the Human Costs of Climate Change"
Apr2
Geography Colloquium: "Documenting and Projecting the Human Costs of Climate Change" Apr 2 Knight Library
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week
Apr6
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week Apr 6
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week
Apr7
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week Apr 7
UO Postdoc Networking
Apr7
UO Postdoc Networking Apr 7 Susan Campbell Hall
Comparative Literature Work In Progress Series
Apr7
Comparative Literature Work In Progress Series Apr 7 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall (PLC)
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week
Apr8
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week Apr 8
CAS Social Impact Forum: Increasing the Social Impact of Research
Apr8
CAS Social Impact Forum: Increasing the Social Impact of Research Apr 8 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)

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