Belarussian Folklore Studies 3221-30FB22K

The course introduces the range of folk studies. Folklore of Belarus is discussed in comparison with the folklore of Belarusian people of Bialystok region. The main attention is paid on characteristic of rites and folklore referred to every year celebrations, seasons and important stages of men's life. Belarusian folk creations are discussed in comparison with spiritual culture f Belarusian people of Bialystok region. Achievements of Belarusian folkloristic are presented as well as Polish interests in Belarusian people and the position of Belarusian rites and folklore of Eastern Bialystok region studies.

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

Students should be familiar with Polish literature, the history of Belarus as in the program in the first year of Belarusian philology studies, have knowledge of national minorities living in Poland, know Belarusian language (at least passively).

Learning outcomes

The program of the classes and course of various activities arranged so that on the basis of general knowledge in the field of culture studies, history of Belarus, prepare students for independent ethnographic study, interested in spiritual and material culture of the Belarusian people, in the past and in modern times, and provide profiles and some scientific achievements of Belarusian and Polish folklorists; indicate possibilities and ways of using folk knowledge in literature, art, everyday life.
After completing the course, student:
- analyses the importance of rituals and symbols in the life of contemporary Belarusians;
- recognizes the types and genres of folk art;
- explains the semantics of things in the spiritual legacy of Belarusians;
- indicates the elements of pagan and Christian rituals and beliefs;
- evaluates the aesthetic value of folk design, its relationship to ancient beliefs;
- analyses the ways to use folk ancestral culture in forming the sense of national unity.

Assessment criteria

Continuous evaluation of preparation for classes, attendance, preparation of the paper, or short speech analysis

Bibliography

1. Arłowa H. P., Biełaruskaja narodnaja piedahohika, Mińsk 1993.
2. Barah A., Biełaruskaja kazka, Mińsk 1969.
3. Biełaruskaja narodnaja tworczaść, aprac. AN Biełarusi, Instytut mastactwaznaustwa, etnahrafii i falkłoru, Mińsk 1970-1990.
4. Barszczewski A., Historia literatury białoruskiej. Folklor, cz. I, Warszawa 1976.
5. Barszczewski A., Białoruska obrzędowość i folklor Wschodniej Białostocczyzny, Białystok 1990.
6. Czurak M., Komizm w białoruskiej prozie ludowej, Ossolineum 1984.
7. Fedorowski M., Lud białoruski, t. I - III, Kraków 1897-1903; t. IV - VIII, Warszawa 1935-1981.
8. Hajduk M., Bieławieżskija bylicy i niebylicy, Mińsk 1996.
9. Hilewicz N., Paetyka biełaruskaj narodnaj liryki, Mińsk 1975.
10. Hilewicz N., Paetyka biełaruskich zahadak, Mińsk 1976.
11. Hilewicz N., Liryka biełaruskaha wiasiella, Mińsk 1979.
12. Kazakawa I. W., Etnicznyja tradycyi u duchounaj kultury biełarusau, Mińska 1995.
13. Kruk J., Simwolika biełaruskaj narodnaj kultury, Mińsk 2003.
14. Łozka A., Biełaruski narodny kalandar, Mińsk 2002.
15. Olechnowicz M., Polscy badacze folkloru i języka białoruskiego w XIX w., Łódź 1986 i in.