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Academic Year 2003/2004

Anthropological Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
RELI 395 FA
Crosslistings:
ANTH 395

This course examines the anthropology of religion, by considering the classic and contemporary theories of religion, ritual, and myth. It will survey the main theorists in anthropology and neighboring disciplines not only anthropological, but also sociological, psychological, phenomenological, and historical approaches to the study of religion. It begins by considering the problem of universality, translation, and cross-cultural comparison in the study of ritual and myth. It then addresses critical issues in the study of religion raised by both classical and contemporary theorists, such as the origin, function, and universality of religion, the nature of the sacred, the feminism critique of religion, religion and politics, and the rise of fundamentalism.

MAJOR READINGS

Wendy Doniger, OTHER PEOPLE'S MYTHS
Sigmund Freud, THE FUTURE OF AN ILLUSION
Catherine Bell, RITUAL THEORY, RITUAL PRACTICE
Mary Douglas, PURITY AND DANGER
Clifford Geertz, ISLAM OBSERVED
Peter Van der Beer, RELIGIOUS NATIONALISM

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

3 essays, class participation, ritual observation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a departmental "Critical Disciplines" requirement for the department major.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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