Review article
The Szeged School of Ethnology: Traditions, Efforts and Challenges. Approaches to Teaching Ethnology in the Bologna Process
Gábor Barna
; University of Szeged, Faculty of Arts, Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Hungary
Abstract
Before and after the Second World War ethnography, ethnology and folklore were taught in Hungary within largely similar frames. Education and research attached importance to the study of Hungarian peasant culture from a retrospective historical viewpoint. From the 1970s until 1980s, demands led to changes in both research and teaching. The teaching of Hungarian ethnology was re-organised at Szeged University, Pécs University and in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, Romania). From the 1970s a paradigm shift occurred in ethnology. The most important indication of this is that, in place of peasant society, ethnology now studies the entire society and all cultural phenomena, including many current social problems.
Within the framework of the Bologna Agreement, students at the BA level at Szeged learn specific introductory subjects and general and specific methodology. Studies in only one specialist field begin at this level: studies in folklore and the anthropology of dance. The anthropology of dance continues at the MA level; which is also planned in English, in international co-operation. Studies in ethnology and anthropology of religion also appear at the MA level, as well as studies in cultural heritage. The content of both the BA and MA stages and of doctoral studies is largely determined by the fact that ethnology has come under strong influence of cultural and social anthropology.
Keywords
teaching ethnography; folklore; cultural anthropology at Hungarian universities; Szeged school of ethnology; ethnology of religion; anthropology of dance; cultural heritage
Hrčak ID:
29453
URI
Publication date:
4.12.2008.
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