Ukrainian Folklore at the University
of Alberta
The University of Alberta is recognized as the largest centre for
Ukrainian studies on the continent. Aside from Ukrainian language,
literature linguistics and culture studies in the department of Modern
Languages, the University of Alberta boasts Ukrainian expertise in
history, in pedagogy, in the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies and
excellent library holdings in the field. Links have been forged with
folklore and ethnographic institutions in Ukraine,across Canada,
and in other parts of the world.
The University of Alberta is lucky to be situated in one of the largest
areas of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. The Ukrainian Folklore Program
is supported strongly by an active and vibrant local community. Members
of
the community serve as sources of cultrual knowledge sharing personal
experiences, skills and memories for our students' research projects.
The community also serves as the recipients of the information, taking
classes, attending seminars, calling the university with questions about
some aspects of Ukrainian culture that is on their minds.
The Ukrainian Folklore
Program
The Ukrainian Folklore Program is the only one if
its kind in North America. It has attracted students from around the
world. The University of Alberta offers BA,
MA and PhD degrees in Ukrainian Folklore. Students can also propose joint
programs,
specializing in Ukrainian Folklore plus another discipline such as
anthropology,
history, Canadian studies, ethnomusicology, fine arts, human ecology and
physical education. Graduate programs can be tailored to match the goals
and dreams of the applicant.
Students tend to fit in to one of two streams -
one focused more on philology, language and oral traditions, while the
other
deals more with material culture, folk arts, and performance. While some
students have extensive personal experience within the Ukrainian
community,
the Ukrainian Folklore Program itself does not teach them to be folk
artists
or performers. Instead they learn ABOUT the various traditions and how
they
exist in cultural context. Understanding is the key.
Career Planning
In today's challenging business world, take advantage of the rapidly expanding
economic activity in Eastern Europe. Our large Ukrainian community, our
expertise in medicine, law and politics, education, forestry and agriculture
combine to make Alberta an ideal springboard for professional enterprises,
business and scholarship dealing with Ukraine. Slavics graduates find good
jobs in international trade, government, and journalism. They also compete
successfully for positions in library science, education, and translation.
Many go on to take advanced degrees in the arts, natural sciences or business.
Learn about life in a peasant society. Half of
the people on earth today are peasants, many struggling with the transition
into the technological age. A look at Ukrainians as a case study can provides
many key insights into this critical and worldwide cultural process.
Today more than ever, you need to be creative and use strategic planning
to position yourself for a rewarding career. The world is changing so rapidly.
The winners will be those who combine expertise in more than one field and
those who position themselves for the opportunities of the future. The window
of opportunity in Eastern Europe is greater than ever right now.
Ukraine is both one of the oldest and one of the youngest countries in Europe.
As Europe's second largest country, Ukraine is bound to have a vastly increased
profile in the world of the 21st century.
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