MA in Folklore and Cultural Studies

MA in Folklore and Cultural Studies at Mid-West University is a two-year program that explores Nepal’s intangible cultural heritage, folklore, and traditional arts, equipping students for careers in heritage preservation, research, and cultural promotion.

Description
This program examines the transmission of human cultural creation through generations, encompassing oral traditions, performing arts, beliefs, practices, and material culture. It integrates folklore and cultural studies with archaeology, anthropology, and history to provide a multidisciplinary understanding of human culture. The curriculum trains students to document, conserve, and promote Nepal’s folklore and intangible cultural heritage while preparing them for roles in education, museums, tourism, research, and local development projects.

Curricular Structure

• Semester I: Introduction to Folklore, Anthropological Approaches, Folklore Theories, Oral Traditions, Performing Arts, Academic Writings
• Semester II: Folk Beliefs, Rituals and Customs, Material Culture, Communication, Cultural Theories, Introduction to Archaeology, Research Methodology
• Semester III: South Asian Folklore, Cultural Studies Theory & Practice, Folklore Fieldwork and Documentation, Folklore of Nepal-1, Electives: Ethno-botany, Sociolinguistics, Folklore Project
• Semester IV: History of Nepal, Traditional Knowledge, Natural & Cultural Heritage Conservation, Folklore of Nepal-2, Folklore & Cultural Tourism, Dissertation

Program Features

• Multidisciplinary approach: folklore, cultural studies, anthropology, archaeology, history
• Focus on intangible cultural heritage and traditional arts
• Fieldwork and documentation training
• Dissertation and research-oriented learning
• Career readiness in cultural management, heritage conservation, tourism, and education

Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Job Prospects
Cultural heritage preservation, museum and library work, education, tourism, arts organizations, publishing, research institutes.