Oral Traditions

Admission requirements

At least a BA or comparable degree in literary studies, linguistics or an Asian language. Please, contact Dr. A.T.P.G. van Engelenhoven, if you are interested in taking this course, but do NOT fulfill the abovementioned requirement.

Students are required to have read the following book before the beginning of the class:
Ong, Walter, 2002 (or later), Orality and Literacy, The technologizing of the Word, London: Routledge.

Description

“Oral Traditions” is used in the Humanities as a cover term for many different types of art all over the world. The main feature that they all share is that they are transmitted orally. Consequently, although oral traditions as a topic link several disciplines in the Humanities, their respective research traditions and scientific interests result in very divergent and sometimes mutually conflicting outputs.

This class focuses on different types of orality in Asia and beyond and intends to provide a frame work on how to study them.

This class is meant for students of literature, linguistics, and anthropology with an interest in Asian languages and cultures.

Course objectives

The goal of this class is to study different aspects in the theory, practice and study of oral traditions that play a role in the research of the lecturers that represent different fields of expertise and regions in Asia.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

• Seminar including audio-taped performance and discussion.

Attendance and active participation are obligatory for seminars. Students are required to prepare for and attend all sessions. The convenor needs to be informed without delay of any classes missed for a good reason (i.e. due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, family issues, problems with residence permits, the Dutch railways in winter, etc.). In these cases it is up to the discretion of the convener(s) of the course whether or not the missed class will have to be made up with an extra assignment. The maximum of such absences during a semester is two. Being absent without notification and/or more than two times can result in exclusion from the term end exams and a failing grade for the course.

Assessment method

Assessment and weighing

Performance assignment + group presentation
This partial assessment may be adapted due to Covid-19 regulations.

Final Paper
The final paper is written in two stages: a first version which will be commented on and a final version. Students who do not meet the deadline for the first version will lose the right to get comments and will only be graded based on their final version.

The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, students must have received an overall mark for the course of 5.50 (=6) or higher.

The course is an integrated whole. All categories must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.

Resit

A new paper to replace the written work (40%) may be written if the overall mark for the course is “5.49” (=5) or lower. In that case the convener of the course may assign a (new) topic and/or give a new deadline.

A resit of the other partial assessments is not possible.

Exam Review

Students may request an oral elucidation of the assessment within 30 days after publication of the grade.

Reading list

A reading list for the lectures will be put on Brightspace.

Students are required to have read the following book before the beginning of the class:
Ong, Walter, 2002 (or later), Orality and Literacy, The technologizing of the Word, London: Routledge.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.

Contact

• For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

• For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office de Vrieshof.

Remarks