This course introduces students to both historical and current anthropological ideas in the study of religion and the supernatural. Students read classic theoretical texts as well as specific ethnographic and cultural studies from around the world. Students are encouraged to examine religion and religious practices from a broad, cross-cultural perspective. Discussion topics include ritual, taboo and magic, witchcraft and sorcery, shamanism and spirit mediumship, and mortuary and mourning practices. Religion is discussed as a social practice that has the potential to create peace and social cohesion as well as conflict and violence. Satisfies requirement for Cultural Anthropology Concentration GE: Society and Human BehaviorPrerequisite: ANT 2000 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or permission of instructor.
- Teacher: Christey Carwile