The Journal of American Folklore has recently published an article that may be of interest to members of the H-Rhetor discussion list:

Gencarella, Stephen. “Constituting Folklore: A Case for Critical Folklore Studies.” Journal of American Folklore 122.484 (Spring 2009): 172-96.

Abstract:
This article argues for the development of a critical folklore studies through an interweaving of folklore and rhetorical theory. Following paths set by Roger Abrahams, Kenneth Burke, and Antonio Gramsci decades ago, and drawing upon more recent contributions by Ernesto Laclau and rhetorical critics, it considers folklore as a constitutive rhetoric, the act of which establishes a “folk”—and their adversaries—as a political category. Identifying three articulations of critical folklore studies, it calls upon folklorists to intervene against (rather than strictly analyze) oppressive power formations through the production of overt criticism and related counter hegemonic practices.

The article is available through the print journal, and also in full text at Project Muse:
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_american_folklore/summary/v122/122.484.gencarella.html

The Journal of American Folklore is the journal of the American Folklore Society. Information about JAF can be found at: http://www.afsnet.org/publications/jaf.cfm.

With best regards,

Sarah Farrell
Editorial Assistant
Journal of American Folklore