In the first two years of the English programme, students will become familiar with the idea that texts and concepts evolve over time, in different contexts. This particular course examines three categories that appear frequently in discussions of cultural texts: the classical, the folk and the popular. In most discussions of cultural texts, the classical is seen to be aesthetically superior, limited in its reach, and the domain of the elite. The folk on the other hand is its mirror opposite: it is created by and belongs to indigenous communities or ordinary people (depending on who is describing it). The popular, like the folk, belongs to the people but is more often associated with the consumption of texts than their production. These categories continue to be used in our everyday lives. The course introduces you to the history of these categories and selects specific instances to discuss the shifting boundaries between classical, folk and popular forms.