Goldstein: A Legacy in Folklore and Academic Leadership
The study of folklore is often a journey of preserving the intangible heritage of humanity. For Goldstein, this academic pursuit was both a professional calling and a familial legacy. With a career spanning decades of teaching, research, and administrative leadership, her work bridges the gap between traditional folklore studies and interdisciplinary applications in medicine and linguistics.
Family Influence and Early Foundations
Goldstein's entry into the field was influenced by her father, Kenneth S. Goldstein. A prominent figure during the folk revival movement of the 1960s, Kenneth served as the chairman of the folklore department at the University of Pennsylvania. He is widely recognized for authoring A Guide for Fieldworkers in Folklore (1964), a text that remains a professional standard for those conducting field research in the discipline.
Academic Journey and Specialization
Goldstein's formal education began at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she earned a bachelor's degree in religious studies in 1979. She later transitioned to the University of Pennsylvania to deepen her expertise in Folklore and Folklife, obtaining her M.A. in 1983 and her Ph.D. in 1987.
Her doctoral research, supervised by the renowned scholar Dell Hymes, focused on the ethnography of speaking—the study of how language is used in specific cultural and social contexts. Her dissertation, titled "Sharing In the One: An Ethnography of Speaking in a Mystical Religious Community," explored the intersection of communication and spiritual practice.
Professional Career and Leadership
Goldstein dedicated twenty-four years to the folklore department at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her academic reach expanded in 1991 when she received a cross-appointment to the university's School of Medicine, integrating folklore perspectives into medical education.
Beyond the classroom, she held several critical leadership roles. She served as the head of the Department of Folklore from 1997 to 2007 and managed the Folklore and Language Archive as Director during two separate terms: 1993 to 1994 and 2003 to 2005.
Key Facts
- Education: B.A. in Religious Studies (1979), M.A. (1983), and Ph.D. (1987) in Folklore and Folklife.
- Doctoral Advisor: Supervised by Dell Hymes.
- Academic Tenure: Taught for 24 years at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
- Leadership: Head of the Department of Folklore (1997–2007).
- Interdisciplinary Work: Cross-appointed to the School of Medicine in 1991.
| Period/Year | Achievement/Role | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Bachelor's in Religious Studies | Memorial University of Newfoundland |
| 1983 & 1987 | M.A. and Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife | University of Pennsylvania |
| 1991 | Cross-appointment to School of Medicine | Memorial University of Newfoundland |
| 1993-94, 2003-05 | Director, Folklore and Language Archive | Memorial University of Newfoundland |
| 1997-2007 | Head of Department of Folklore | Memorial University of Newfoundland |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kenneth S. Goldstein?
Kenneth S. Goldstein was a leading figure in the folklore field and the chairman of the folklore department at the University of Pennsylvania. He is best known for his 1964 publication, A Guide for Fieldworkers in Folklore.
What was the focus of Goldstein's doctoral dissertation?
Her dissertation, "Sharing In the One: An Ethnography of Speaking in a Mystical Religious Community," focused on the ethnography of speaking within a mystical religious context.
How did Goldstein contribute to the medical field?
In 1991, she was cross-appointed to the School of Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, bringing her expertise in folklore to a medical academic setting.
Which institutions were central to her education?
She attended Memorial University of Newfoundland for her undergraduate degree and the University of Pennsylvania for her graduate and doctoral studies.
What leadership roles did she hold at Memorial University?
She served as the head of the Department of Folklore from 1997 to 2007 and was the Director of the Folklore and Language Archive during two terms (1993-1994 and 2003-2005).