From the Construction of Concepts to Knowledge Production: the Interdisciplinarity of Folkloristics Cover Image

Mõistete konstrueerimisest teadmuse loomiseni. Folkloristika interdistsiplinaarsus
From the Construction of Concepts to Knowledge Production: the Interdisciplinarity of Folkloristics

Author(s): Kristin Kuutma
Subject(s): Customs / Folklore
Published by: SA Kultuurileht
Keywords: folkloristics; interdisciplinary concepts; culture; representation; memory; tradition; heritage

Summary/Abstract: Folkloristics evolved into an independent scholarship in the context of the nationbuilding process and the ideas of national romanticism, which implicitly continue to prevail in many countries. While the experience, expressive culture and environment studied by folklorists today appears dynamic and varied, the discipline has also undergone a conceptual change. However, theoretical discussions have remained relatively scarce, particularly in Estonian. Folklorists tend to use many concepts that are inter- or transdisciplinary in essence, as if these were neutral, objective or extemporal formulations and epistemological givens, instead of recognizing their constructed nature and dependence on social, political or historical contingencies. this contribution proposes to elaborate on the development of particular concepts (culture, representation, tradition, memory, and cultural heritage) through international disciplinary histories, and to contemplate their interpretations as well as their interpretative potentials.

  • Issue Year: LIII/2010
  • Issue No: 08-09
  • Page Range: 687-702
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Estonian