"Folklore of Student Life" holds the accumulated wisdom and wit of several IU undergraduate classes and of a good many IU undergraduates, all focused upon the folklore -- those shared avenues of creativity and expression -- that is part of the college experience at Indiana University. This website is a joint production of Prof John McDowell and his students in a number of undergraduate classes
Sylvia’s Black Greek scene Item 1 Interviewee: Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., who chose to remain anonymous Description: This interview took place a day after the 2008 Little 500 Step Down, held at the IU Auditorium. The Little Continue Reading …
Avir’s art collection Picture 1: Date Collected: April 9th 2008 Location: Forest Center Building The picture serves two purposes in the main lobby of Forest dormitories. First, it is decorative and appealing to the visitors and students who see it. Continue Reading …
Picture 2: Date Collected: April 9th 2008 Location: Forest front desk The art work in here was to make the front desk area less boring and more welcoming. The theme of this piece is spring, which includes different colored flowers, Continue Reading …
Picture 3: Date Collected: April 9th 2008 Location: Forest B tower Interviewee: Len The images and the art on this RA’s door are mainly decorative, “cool” and good-looking sights for others on the floor to admire and enjoy. That was Continue Reading …
Picture 5: Date Collected: April 9th 2008 Location: Read Center Building The work on this door was done by the residents of the room, Ben and Lindsey. The idea is the shapes representing different seasons. The colors relate to the Continue Reading …
Bridget’s art file Item 1: Peoples Park Mural Artists Unknown—other than students at Rhino’s Context: This is a mural made up of six different paintings that were done by students involved in the Rhino’s All age club, and can be Continue Reading …
Item 5: Greek Art, advertising little 500 Artist: Unknown member of fraternity and sorority Location: Pi Kappa Sigma and Gamma Phi Beta Context: These works of art can been seen in front of every Greek house on campus. These paintings Continue Reading …
John’s artworks Item 1: World made out of cigarette butts Date: Fall of 1996 The cigarette Earth was created by three students living at Collins Living Learning Center in the Fall of 1996. This entire work is made from cigarette Continue Reading …
Item 2: Sharpie mural created on student’s living room wall Date: 2007-2008 Location: Student Apartment The art mural was created by an unknown number of students. Dry erase board was tacked onto the wall in the living room of a Continue Reading …
Interview with Purdue Student Interview was collected from Purdue Senior Trent, 21. Trent has lived in Indiana for his entire life and has attended Purdue for his whole undergraduate career. Interview was conducted via Zoom. Full interview: Selected quotations “The Continue Reading …