RELI395 - The Anthropology of "Religion"

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Academic Year 2005/2006

The Anthropology of "Religion"
RELI 395 FA

Crosslistings:
ANTH 395

This course will introduce students to a cross-cultural, comparative perspective on religious practice and belief. The course will examine a number of religious traditions and anthropological debates, while posing an underlying conceptual question: How have anthropologists used the concept of "religion" to explain -- or perhaps, explain away -- seemingly radical forms of cultural difference? How, in other words, have the wildly diverse practices and beliefs of communities throughout the world been subsumed within the category of "religion"? What is gained and lost in this act of comparison and generalization?

MAJOR READINGS

P.Stoller, FUSION OF THE WORLDS
B. Meyerhoff, NUMBER OUR DAYS
D. Chidester, SAVAGE SYSTEMS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will write papers on the course readings, and a final research paper based on ethnographic fieldwork.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

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

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Goldschmidt,Henry

Times: ...W.F. 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: BTFDA414;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 19)

SR. major: 6 Jr. major: 6

SR. non-major: 1 Jr. non-major: 3 SO: 3 FR: X

Special Attributes:

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006