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RELI390
Magic, Science, and Religion
RELI390 SP
Crosslistings: ANTH380
| Section | Class Size | *Available | Times |
|---|
| 1 | 20 | 0 | Times: ..W.... 1:10PM-4:00PM; |
*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for
the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous
phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration.
(Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:00:40 EST 1998
)
How does magic differ from religion? Does the increasing
"rationalization of the world" render magic and religion
obsolete? Do anthropologist's usages of these terms reflect
indigenous categories or those of their own culture? We
will examine the classical anthropological writings of
Frazer, Weber, Durkheim, Levy-Bruhl, and Malinwoski
concerning "magic", "religion", and "science" and then use
insights from these thinkers and our readings of them to
read critically a number of ethnographies concerned with
religiosity and rationality in both traditional and
contemporary industrialized societies.
MAJOR READINGS
Frazer: THE GOLDEN BOUGH (selections)
Malinowski: MAGIC, SCIENCE & RELIGION
Durkheim: THE ELEMENTARY FORMS OF THE RELIGIOUS LIFE
(selections)
Foucault: THE ORDER OF THINGS
Evans-Pritchard: WITCHCRAFT, ORACLES & MAGIC AMONG THE
AZANDE
Luhrmann: PERSUASIONS OF THE WITCH'S CRAFT: RITUAL MAGIC
IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLAND
Tambiah: MAGIC, SCIENCE, RELIGION, AND THE SCOPE OF
RATIONALITY
(plus reading packet)
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
2 class presentations
Active class participation
3 short writing assignments, midterm paper
Final paper
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
This course
fulfills a "Religion in Society" departmental requirement.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting
or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the
first class, they will be dropped from the class list.
NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form
to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Seminar
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS RELI
Prerequisites:
None
- Section 01
- Lester, R
- Times: ..W.... 1:10PM- 4:00PM;
- Grading Mode: A/F
- Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 0, Jr: 0, So: 0, Fr: 1
- No Major Preference Given
Last Updated on MAR-03-1998
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459