MFC-009 IGNOU Guess Paper 2026-27

Course Scope & Syllabus Overview for MFC-009: Approaches to Folklore

MFC-009: Approaches to Folklore is a core component of the MA in Folklore and Culture Studies (MAFCS) curriculum under IGNOU’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies. This course critically examines theoretical frameworks that shape folklore studies, emphasizing structural, psychological, functional, semiotic, and region-specific perspectives. It equips students with analytical tools to dissect folklore as a dynamic cultural phenomenon, bridging academic rigor with practical applications in ethnographic research and cultural preservation. The syllabus is designed to foster interdisciplinary engagement, encouraging students to evaluate folklore through diverse lenses—from linguistic semiotics to post-structural critiques—while contextualizing Indian traditions within global academic discourse.

Key Syllabus Units & Topics

• Block-1 Structural & Post-Structural Approaches: Explores Claude Lévi-Strauss’s structuralist methodology and its critique in post-structuralist theories, analyzing how folklore narratives encode universal patterns and cultural contradictions.
• Block-2 Psychological Approaches: Investigates Carl Jung’s archetypal theory and Freud’s psychoanalytic lens to decode folklore as a reflection of collective unconsciousness and repressed societal tensions.
• Block-3 Functional Approaches: Examines the role of folklore in social cohesion, using Malinowski’s functionalism and later adaptations to study how oral traditions reinforce community values and adapt to change.
• Block-4 Contextualizing the Semiotic Approaches: Focuses on Roland Barthes’ mythological analysis and semiotic theories to interpret folklore symbols, rituals, and their evolving meanings across historical and cultural contexts.
• Block-5 Indian Perspectives on Folklore: Surveys indigenous methodologies, including those of D.D. Kosambi and G.S. Ghurye, to contrast Western theories with South Asian epistemologies of folklore as living tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is the MFC-009 examination structured, and what is the marking scheme for term-end papers?
A: The TEE for MFC-009 comprises 80% theory (essay-type and short-answer questions) and 20% practical/application-based questions, with a pass mark of 40%. The question paper typically includes 5–6 essay questions (20 marks each) and 10–12 short-answer questions (10 marks each).

Q: Are assignments mandatory for MFC-009, and how do they impact the final grade?
A: Assignments carry 20% weightage in the overall evaluation and must be submitted before the TEE to qualify for the examination. IGNOU recommends dedicating 10–15 hours to assignments, as they assess conceptual clarity and analytical skills directly tested in the TEE.