Anthropology 305: Anthropology of Religion
Summer 2008
Session B: July 7-August 8
Class Times: TWR 6-8:50 PLS 50
Instructor: Professor Maureen Salsitz
Office: MH 175
Email: msalsitz@fullerton.edu Emails will be promptly answered within 48 hours unless otherwise notified. This is the preferred method of contact.
Office Hours: TR 4:30-5:30 and by appointment.
Blackboard website http://fullerton.blackboard.com
| Description | Learning Goals | Required Texts | Course Requirements & Grading | Course Outline | Download Syllabus |
Summer Session Course Information
This course is a rigorous 5 week class that covers the same information as the 16 week course. The Final Paper will be due FRIDAY, August 8 at 11:59PM to turnitin.com.
Course Catalog Description
Beliefs and practices in the full human variation of religious phenomena, with an emphasis on primitive religions. The forms, functions, structures, symbolism, and history and evolution of religious systems
Course Description
By using anthropology to examine religious phenomena throughout global cultures, we are able to use holistic and humanistic methods to better understand such phenomena. This cross-cultural study of religion will illustrate both the strange and the familiar and bring new understanding to the hows, whys, and functions of religion within societies throughout the world. We will delve into such aspects of religion as beliefs, symbols, rituals, and concepts such as magic and witchcraft. It is our goal to remain open and nonjudgmental while exploring religious cultural diversity.
Learning Goals
This course satisfies G.E. III-B-3 Learning Goals AND the Cultural Diversity requirement.
Implications, Explorations, and Participatory Experience in the Arts and
Humanities Learning Goals:
related disciplines.
humanities in a variety of settings, such as community-based learning sites and
activities.
Cultural Diversity Learning Goals:
discussion of society and culture.
the diversity and relationships within and among cultures.
Required Texts
1. ISBN 9780073405216 Lehmann, Meyers, Moro "Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion. An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural. Seventh Edition." McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2008. I recommend getting the EBOOK, as it is cheaper!
2. ISBN 9780205578610 Bowen, John R. “Religions in Practice: An Approach to the Anthropology of Religion. Fourth Edition.” Pearson, 2008.
Additional readings will be available on the course Blackboard site ahead of reading schedule.
*Be sure to purchase the Seventh Edition of Magic, Witchcraft and Religion, as earlier editions may not contain some of your readings!
Course Requirements and Grading
Submitting Your Assignments
Assignments will be submitted to Turnitin.com as noted in assignment information. If Turnitin.com is not functioning properly, you may submit your assignment to me via email at msalsitz@fullerton.edu or submit a hard copy of the assignment to my department mailbox. Please notify me if/when you submit an assignment to my mailbox. The mailbox is located on the 4th floor of McCarthy Hall in the Anthropology Department.
Attendance and Participation
Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate in class discussions. You will receive points for attendance and may receive additional points for activities and participation.
Disruptive behavior in class will not be tolerated. You will receive a verbal warning for the first occurrence and will be asked to leave class for each additional occurrence. Attendance points will not be awarded that day for those asked to leave class.
Cell phones will be turned on SILENT or OFF for each class as well as during exams. Ringtones and vibrating phones will not be tolerated.
Discussion points and grading are as follows for each class session:
10 Points Attendance
15 Points Discussion and Participation
14 Module Topics x 25 Points = 350 Points
Total Discussion Points = 350 Points
Final Research Paper— 100 Points
In summary: The structure and function of religions in society, the influence of beliefs, the power of myth, ritual and imagery on the thought process of the adherent. You will discuss these topics utilizing research information, social and anthropological theories you have learned about in the course (e.g. Tylor, Eliade, Harris, etc). The paper must be 8-10 pages in length and is due by 11:59 pm on FRIDAY, August 8, 2008 to turnitin.com.
Choose ONE religious group that is different from your own to demonstrate your ideas and write about the following:
15 Points Critically examine the function of religion in society in general and provide specific examples from your religious group
15 Points The role religion plays in individual lives in general and provide specific from your religious group,
15 Points The power behind the iconic imagery (symbols) from the religious group
15 Points The importance and role of myth, ritual and how the use of the powerful imagery, is used constructively and destructively in the believer. Discuss in general and then provide specific examples from your religious group
15 Points Minimum of 6 sources for your research. A maximum of 3 internet sources for your research. Can include articles not assigned in your text (web access to library journal articles can be obtained through blackboard -JSTOR is a good source for articles) contact the library for instructions if needed
10 Points Citations in the Research portion of your paper must be in AAA or comparable format
5 Points “Works Cited” page written in AAA or comparable format
5 Points Cover Page that includes your name, class time, and the name of the Case Study groups you have chosen to write about
5 Points Your paper must be written in 12 pt Times New Roman font with standard margins and double spacing. Proper use of grammar and use of spell check are required.
100 Points Total
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty, as referred to in UPS 300.021, “includes but is not limited to cheating on examinations or assignments, unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, falsification/fabrication of university documents, any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor), assisting or allowing any of these acts, or the attempt to commit such acts.”
Plagiarism, dishonesty, or cheating will result in an automatic F in the class and University Policy Guidelines will be followed.
Grading
Participation/Discussions 350 Points
Final Research Paper 100 points
Total Possible Points 450 points
Points and Corresponding Letter Grade
450 Points Possible
405 – 450 A
360 – 404 B
315 – 359 C
270 – 314 D
269 and below F
Grades for the class will be based on your point total out of the possible points and will correspond to letter grades of A, B, C, D, F. Grades will not include pluses or minuses.
Extra credit opportunities and their due dates will be posted accordingly.
Course Outline
Dates and activities may change at the instructor’s discretion.
The Anthropology of Religion
Module 1: Introduction to Anthropology
Due by Tues, July 8:
1. Discussion 1: Discuss course objectives.
Module 2: Anthropological Study of Religion
Due by Wed, July 9:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 1; Gould Non-Overlapping Magisteria; Harris Why We Became Religious and The Evolution of the Spirit World
2. Bowen: Ch 1 “Studying Religion through Practice”; Ch 2 “Social Theory in the Anthropology of Religion”
3. Discussion 2
Module 3: Religion & Symbols
Due by Thurs, July 10:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 2, Firth An Anthropologist’s reflections on Symbolic Usage, Daugherty Serpent-Handling as a Sacrament
2. Bowen: Ch 3 “Ideas and Practices of ‘Religion’ in Europe and Elsewhere” pgs 25-30
3. Discussion 3
4. Course Film: "Holy Ghost People" (Serpent Handlers)
Module 4: Myth
Due by Tues, July 15:
1. MWR: Leonard & McClure The Study of Mythology; Levi-Strauss Harelips and Twins: The Splitting of a Myth
2. Discussion 4
Module 5: Rituals
Due by Wed, July 16:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 3; Turner Betwixt and Between: The Liminal Period in Rites de Passage; Miner Body Ritual Among the Nacerima
2. Bowen: Ch 4 “Rituals and the Shaping of Emotions” pgs 43-48; Ch 5 “Transforming Selves”
3. Discussion 5
Religion and Environment
Module 6: Ghost, Souls and Ancestors
Due by Thurs, July 17:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 8; Barber The Real Vampire; Brown Vodou; Metcalf Death Be Not Strange; Haney at al Spontaneous Memorialization: Violent Death and Emerging Mourning Ritual
2. Bowen: Ch 4 pgs 48-58
3. Discussion 6
Module 7: Shamanism
Due by Tues, July 22:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 4, Turner Religious Specialists; Howells The Shaman: A Siberian Specialist; Harner The Sound of Rushing Water
2. Blackboard: Morris: Ch 1 “Shamanism”
3. Discussion 7
Module 8: Witchcraft
Due by Wed, July 23:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 7, Brain An Anthropological Perspective on the Witchcraze; Malinowski Rational Mastery by Man of His Surroundings
2. Bowen: Ch 8 “Sorcery, Witchcraft, and Modernity”
3. Discussion 8
Extra Credit: 3-4 pages long worth up to 4 points.View “Just My Luck.” Briefly summarize the movie. Analyze the movie in relationship to the concept of limit good and/or limited luck.
Module 9: Revitalization Movements
Due by Thurs, July 24:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 9; Wallace Revitalization Movements; Kehoe The Ghost Dance Religion
2. Blackboard: Morris: Ch 7 “Religions in Melanesia”
3. Discussion 9
Module 10: Religion, Culture, and Environment
Due by Tues, July 29:
1. MWR: Roy A. Rappaport Ritual Regulations of Environmental Relations Among a New Guinea People
2. Blackboard: Pandian Ch 5 Ecological Theories of Supernaturalism
3. Discussion 10
Religion, Healing, and Medicine
Module 11: Folk Medicine & Ethnomedicine
Due by Wed, July 30:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 6; Bergman A School for Medicine Men; Rebhun Swallowing Frogs: Anger and Illness in Northeast Brazil; Edward C. Halperin, MD Should Academic Medical Centers Conduct Clinical Trials of the Efficacy of Intercessory Prayer
2. Bowen: Ch 6 “Extending our Powers: Magic and Healing”; Ch 7 pgs 90-93
3. Discussion 11
Module 12: Religious Use of Drugs
Due by Thurs, July 31:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 5; Furst & Coe Ritual Enemas; de Ropp Psychedelic Drugs and Religious Experience; Kiyaani and Csordas On the Peyote Road
2. Blackboard: Morris: Ch 6: Religions of Jamaica; The Rastafari Movement; Rastafari Beliefs and Practices
3. Discussion 12
Religion and Global Culture
Module 13: Religion and Global Culture Part 1
Due by Tues, Aug 5:
1. MWR: Intro to Ch 10; Hoodfar The Veil in Their Minds and on Our Heads: Veiling Practices and Muslim Women; Juergensmeyer The Global Rise of Religious Nationalism
2. Bowen: Ch 14 “Religion, Radicalism, and Violence”
3. Discussion 13
Module 14: Religion and Global Culture Part 2
Due by Wed, Aug 6:
1. Bowen: Ch 12 “Transnational and Diaspora Religions”; Ch 13 “Focus on Muslims in Europe”
2. Discussion 14
Module 15: Contemporary Religious Movements in America
Due by Thurs, Aug 7:
1. MWR: Dalton et al Homer the Heretic and Charlie Church: Parody, Piety, and Pluralism in The Simpsons; Jankowiak & Allen Adoring the Father: Religion and Charisma in an American Polygamous Community, O’Leary Cyberspace as Sacred Space: Communicating Religion on Computer Networks
2. Bowen: Ch 15 “Secularism and Religions in Modern States “pgs 229-236
3. Discussion 15
4. Final Paper due by 11:59pm on FRIDAY, August 8, 2008.
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
· Must be turned in using the turnitin.com feature. May also be submitted in Word Document format to my email at msalsitz@fullerton.edu
Download syllabus Microsoft Word (.doc) file. If you do not have Word, please use the Word Viewer