The Final: Cheat Sheet

For those who didn;t come to last class, and those who don't have friends who get them handouts, click here for the cheat sheet.

LAST QUESTION

I'll be repeating this on Tuesday's class, and Thursday's, for that matter. But you have one more question of the week:

Make up a short-answer question for the final exam: it should be one that can be ably answered in one sentence. 

Last year's request said it well, so I'll repeat it here.

While not every question will be used, you may be able to give yourself a leg up with a question that (a) is based on readings and/or class discussions, (b) is challenging enough that it isn't a freebie, and (c) is easy enough that it doesn't require a photographic memory to answer it.

Not that I'm whining, but it is rather difficult setting an examination, and short answer questions are more difficult to write than the questions for essays, both because they are specific and because you have to think of so many of them. The general effect I am looking for is that, when you first pick up the exam paper and read each question, you should say to yourself "Right, I should know this." It falls between "This question is an insult to my intelligence," and "Who does he think I am, Alan Dundes?" (Note: When you have studied, you will find this joke frickin' hilarious.)

Absolute due date for this one is the 8th of April. And (at least) one will actually be used. 

Penultimate question

Has anyone seen "The Last Supper Sketch"? Performed by Python in the Hollywood Bowl film, it is a Cleese and (I believe) Chapman penned sketch that was never in the series. Anyway, when the Pope continues to be unimpressed by Michelangelo's version of the Last Supper, which has waiters, jellies, 28 disciples, and other "hilarity ensues" motifs, Michelangelo suggests calling it the Penultimate Supper: "If there was a Last Supper, then there must have been one before it, right?" The first time I heard the word penultimate was listening to this sketch as it appeared on a BBC radio show on 'misunderstanding' that my grandmother had sent to us. So, long story short: 'penultimate' means 'second to last'.

Two questions (not extra work: I'm giving you a choice, you ungrateful little turds):

1. Identify an object or thing you know how to make, the skills for which you acquired through informal means
2. Identify an object that has special meaning for you or your folk group

I now have a (whopping enormo) PDF of the bra article, which is available if you follow this link. Enjoy if you so desire. Technically it's copyright infringement, so I won't leave the link up for long.

Question: Riddles and Proverbs

Oh man did my headache not go away, despite the air of refreshment that usually wafts over me when I let you little bastards go early.

Identify a proverb (i.e. a piece of conventional wisdom) that you either follow or are at least influenced by.

Trust me: this is a crappily phrased question, but the answers should more than make up for it.

The books are in ... hurray?

Question: Song

Oh, my patient little charges, my naughtiness is rampant, and I have been remiss in posting the answers to these delightful inquiries: however, I have been (fairly) adept at posting questions, so here's this week's:

Identify a song that is somehow of significance to your group (where, as always, group is defined as you see fit). It might be a very 'traditional" song, but it might simply be an important part of your group's repertoire.

And for those who care, my bra article was published in the most recent issue of Ethnologies: the library should have their copy within days,m and then you can wallow in my brilliance to your heart's delight.