Folklore studies at Utah State University began over forty years ago.  The program is nationally recognized and offers an undergraduate minor in Folklore and a Master’s Degree in American Studies with a concentration in Folklore.  The Folklore Program provides a flexible and interdisciplinary approach to study, small class sizes, student-centered faculty, and close interaction between faculty and students.  Faculty affiliated with the program are well known in their field, have a strong program of research, and a commitment to student learning.

The Folklore Program at Utah State University offers a variety of unique opportunities for students in addition to regular coursework: 

Utah State University houses the Fife Folklore Archives, a nationally recognized archive and repository for the papers of the American Folklore Society, as well as other significant collections such as the G. Malcolm Laws Ballad Collection and the Wayland D. Hand Collection of American Popular Belief and Superstition.  Students in the Folklore Program have many opportunities to work closely with the archives, to conduct archival research, and to deposit their own research in the archive.

The Folklore Program annually hosts the Fife Folklore Conference during the first week of June.  The conference is a week-long seminar that is offered to community members and students alike.  The conference features well known scholars as guest speakers and provides a unique opportunity for students to interact closely with faculty over the course of a week.

The Folklore Program sponsors the Fife Folklore Honor Lecture during the spring semester.  Students have the opportunity to meet nationally and internationally known figures.  Recent past lecturers have included Peggy Seeger, Trudier Harris, and Nick Spitzer.

Students also have access to FOLKLIST, an email list of jobs, internships, and announcements. For information, contact Dr. Lisa Gabbert at: lisa.gabbert@usu.edu