Course Description
Anthropological approaches to the world's major religions as they relate to complex societies.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a research paper along with more extensive examinations to reflect the additional responsibilities.
Athena Title
Anthropology of Religion
Prerequisite
Junior or senior standing or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The objective is to understand the theoretical, methodological and ethnographic aspects of the anthropological study of religion. Communicate Effectively through Writing To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations. Computer Literacy To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the web, email, and OASIS through research, preparation, and presentation of work such as oral class reports and completion of written assignments. Critical Thinking To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.
Topical Outline
Some areas of focus will be ritual specialists (shamans, sorcerers, and priests), sacred performances and "divine ecology." Course will critically assess the place of religion in a postmodern world vis-a-vis the discourses of ethnicity, nationalism and fundamentalism. In addition, the course will evaluate the role of women in organized religion and their frequent oppression based on a patriarchal interpretation of religious texts.