I agree with Richard that if you're going to do a folk degree which includes generating new material then that material has to stand on something and the style of the early 19th century is just as valid as any other past period. The one thing it doesn't need to be is bang up to date.

But the question that any folk degree or course or module has to address is does it provide a suitable basis for stepping into a career? Can folk music performance be studied in this way as opposed to just getting out there and doing it?

We faced the same questions two decades ago when Salford University was validating degrees in Popular Music and teaching people to be Rock'N'Rollers etc.. A piece of paper is no good when really, you're only as good as your last gig!

Really, the folk degree is probably the equivalent of a fine art degree - you're not guaranteed to turn out the equivalent of a Henry Moore or a Botticelli but it's a good breeding ground for all manner of interesting things.

J