ANTHROPOLOGY 116W – ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION – 3 units Instructor: Michael Eissinger Schedule # 36914 Room: Sci II 210 Email: [email protected]Spring Semester 2017 MWF 2:00 – 2:30pm www.meissinger.com (everything you need to know) SPIRITUAL HEALTH WARNING: If you are a fundamentalist of one sort or another (Animist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Moslem, Zoroastrian, etc.), this class could be dangerous to your "spiritual health." We shall look at magico-religious phenomena from an extremely objective and, for the most part, materialist perspective, much as an entomologist looks at a bug on a slide. No religious tradition will be privileged, least of all the Judeo-Christian tradition. If the prospect of such an approach to religion threatens you, I suggest you consider taking another class (source: Prof. C. Scott Littleton. Spring, 2001: Anth 350 Magic and Religion). COURSE DESCRIPTION This course introduces how anthropologists examine religious belief systems and their associated ritual practices in human society, across a variety of cultures. The form of instruction includes lectures and class discussions of selected readings, film presentations, and possibly an occasional guest speaker. A second focus of this course is aimed toward assisting students with developing college level writing skills and techniques. Therefore, students will be required to write papers of varying lengths and types, in and out of class, throughout the semester. COURSE OBJECTIVES This course is designed to enable students to gain: a better understanding of the many and diverse ways humans contemplate and address ideas of the supernatural through systems of belief and associated rituals and practices. knowledge of fundamental social science theories, methods, and analytical tools for examining and explaining belief systems and their related sociocultural phenomena. a more developed and refined set of writing skills enabling one to function properly at the collegiate level and to succeed outside of academia. REQUIRED READING Covington, Dennis. 1995. Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc. McCarthy Brown, Karen. 2011: Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn. Berkeley: University of California Press Monaghan, John & Peter Just. 2000. Social & Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. London: Oxford University Press,. Moro, Pamela A. and James E. Myers, editors. 2011. Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: A Reader in the Anthropology of Religion. 9 th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Supplemental Course Materials and Information – can be located online or on Blackboard
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ANTHROPOLOGY 116W – ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION – 3 units
Instructor: Michael Eissinger Schedule # 36914 Room: Sci II 210
SPIRITUAL HEALTH WARNING: If you are a fundamentalist of one sort or another
(Animist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Moslem, Zoroastrian, etc.), this class could
be dangerous to your "spiritual health." We shall look at magico-religious phenomena from
an extremely objective and, for the most part, materialist perspective, much as an
entomologist looks at a bug on a slide. No religious tradition will be privileged, least of all
the Judeo-Christian tradition. If the prospect of such an approach to religion threatens you,
I suggest you consider taking another class (source: Prof. C. Scott Littleton. Spring, 2001: Anth 350
Magic and Religion).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces how anthropologists examine religious belief systems and their associated
ritual practices in human society, across a variety of cultures. The form of instruction includes
lectures and class discussions of selected readings, film presentations, and possibly an occasional
guest speaker. A second focus of this course is aimed toward assisting students with developing
college level writing skills and techniques. Therefore, students will be required to write papers of
varying lengths and types, in and out of class, throughout the semester.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to enable students to gain:
a better understanding of the many and diverse ways humans contemplate and address
ideas of the supernatural through systems of belief and associated rituals and practices.
knowledge of fundamental social science theories, methods, and analytical tools for
examining and explaining belief systems and their related sociocultural phenomena.
a more developed and refined set of writing skills enabling one to function properly at the
collegiate level and to succeed outside of academia.
REQUIRED READING Covington, Dennis. 1995. Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in
Southern Appalachia. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc.
McCarthy Brown, Karen. 2011: Mama Lola: A Vodou Priestess in Brooklyn. Berkeley:
University of California Press
Monaghan, John & Peter Just. 2000. Social & Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short
Introduction. London: Oxford University Press,.
Moro, Pamela A. and James E. Myers, editors. 2011. Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: A Reader
in the Anthropology of Religion. 9th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Supplemental Course Materials and Information – can be located online or on Blackboard
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS & DUE DATES
Jan 30: Observation proposal
Feb 20: Ethics Paper
Mar 13: Observation paper 1000-1500 words
Mar 20: Research proposal (200 words) w/3 annotated references (50 words each)
Apr 17: Research Paper 1st Draft 1500-2000 words
May 12: Research Paper Final Draft 1500-2000 words
Almost every week online discussion reading assignments and videos
GRADING POLICY
The minimum requirements for a passing grade of ‘C’ or ‘CR’ in this Anth 116W course are:
1. full completion of all course assignments
2. an overall 70% average (approximately 700/1000 points) for all course work
3. a 70% or higher score on the final research paper (Any score below 70% on the final
research paper will result in a course grade no higher than a D.)
Online Discussions 200 points1 | A/CR 90-100%
Research Paper 100 points2 | B/CR 80-89%
Observation Paper 100 points3 | C/CR 70-79%
Ethics Paper 100 points4 | D/NC 60-69%
Participation 100 points5 | F/NC <60%
Papers are to be minimally 1500 words in length (approx. 6 pages) – excluding the works cited
(references) section, and/or the abstract section in research paper two – and should not exceed
2000 words (approx. 7-8 pages). Word count, not the number of pages, will be checked via the
electronic copy. Format requirements must be followed! Please note: I do not accept late papers
Be advised that I routinely submit all student research papers to a plagiarism detection service
for an authenticity review. The process is conducted electronically and I am the only person who
has access to the results. A copy of the paper is stored in the system’s electronic databank, which
protects the student’s intellectual property by identifying anyone who might improperly attempt
to use their paper or any parts of their paper at some future date. Students may opt, however, to
take this course from an instructor who does not use a plagiarism detection service.
1 These discussions will be completed within Blackboard™ and will account for a combination of your participation
and your writing requirements. Specific instructions will be made available, at the time of the discussions. 2 The details for the research paper will be distributed, separately. The proposal for the research paper is required
and is included in this amount, for the purposes of this syllabus (it will have an individual grade bucket in
Blackboard™. 3 The observation paper grade includes your proposal (which will have an individual grade bucket in Blackboard™),
your actual observation, and your observation paper. 4 This includes the online discussions on the ethics case studies and the paper. 5 This includes in-class and online participation.
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PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTIES, AND EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Instructions and guidelines provided in this syllabus are meant to provide clarity regarding
course requirements and procedures, and will be strictly adhered to. Students are strongly urged
to request additional clarification regarding any aspect of the course requirements, assignments,
and/or instructions as they may deem necessary. Most important, should any problem, difficulty,
or extenuating circumstance arise impacting your performance or ability, please immediately
inform the instructor of the situation. Direct and immediate communication with the instructor is
the best way to seek a solution to the academic impact of a given situation.
Advisory: College is for adults. This is not an entitlement program. Students are encouraged to
behave in a professional manner and to be courteous to each other and to the instructor. Anyone
who is rude or disruptive will be asked to leave. If that happens, assume that you are done for the
semester because you will not be welcomed back.
COURSE READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS SCHEDULE
The following schedule of topics is tentative and may be altered, as circumstances dictate. All
assignments are to be completed prior to the date for which they are assigned.
The following schedule covers all the assignments for the semester. Notice that there are many
Fridays when there is no class – this is to allow you time to do the online assignments.
Week 1 (1/18-1/20): Introduction
READ: Moro Chapter 1: The Anthropological Study of Religion
READ: Non-Overlapping Magisteria
READ: Darwin's Rib
VIDEO: Anthropology of Religion
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
Week 2 (1/23-1/27): Readings and Discussion
READ: Just pp. 1-12: Very Short Introduction
READ: Supplemental Writing Guides (online)
Week 3 (1/30-2/3): Creation Myths
VIDEOS: Big Story & Creation Myths (The Big Myth)
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
DUE: Observation Paper Proposal
Week 4 (2/6-2/10): Not All Religions Are the Same
VIDEO: Not All Religions Are the Same
READ: Anthropology of Religion
READ: Studying Religion Anthropologically
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
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Week 5 (2/13-2-17): Myth, Symbolism, and Worldview
READ: Moro Chapter 2: Myth, Symbolism, and Worldview
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 6 (2/20-2-24): Religious Perspectives in Anthropology
READ: Just Chapter 3: A Brief Encounter
READ: Moro Chapter 3: Ritual
VIDEO: Is Final Fantasy Anti-Religious
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
DUE: Ethics Paper
Week 7 (2/27-3/3): Taboo
READ: Just Chapter 4: Fernando Seeks a Wife: Sex and Blood
READ: Fadiman Chapters 1-5
READ: Taboo
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 8 (3/6-3/10): Religious Specialists
READ: Moro Chapter 4: Shamans, Priests, and Prophets
READ: Fadiman Chapters 6-10
VIDEO: From Shaman to Priest
VIDEO: Shaman in Nepal
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 9 (3/13-3/17): Altered States and Religion
READ: Moro Chapter 5: Altered States of Consciousness and the Religious Use of Drugs
READ: Fadiman Chapters 11-15
VIDEO: Peyote Road
VIDEO: Sacred Peyote
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
DUE: Observation Paper
Week 10 (3/20-3/24): Shamanism, Shaman, and Healing
READ: Moro Chapter 6: Illness, Healing, and Religion
READ: Fadiman Chapters 16-19
READ: Shamanism
VIDEO: Between Two Worlds: Hmong Shaman in America
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
DUE: Research Paper Abstract/Proposal
Week 11 (3/27-3/31): Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
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Week 12 (4/3-4/7): Magic
READ: Baseball Magic
READ: Moro Chapter 7: Witchcraft, Sorcery, Divination, and Magic
VIDEO: Religion & Magic
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 13 (4/10-4/16): Witchcraft & Sorcery
READ: Covington Chapters 1-4
VIDEO: A Very British Witchcraft: Gerald Gardner & Wicca
VIDEO: History of Real Life Witches
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 14 (4/17-4/21): Death, Ancestors, Ghosts, and Souls
READ: Covington Chapters 5-8
READ: Moro Chapter 8: Death, Ancestors, Ghosts, and Souls
VIDEO: Confucian Ancestor Worship
VIDEO: Yoruba Ancestor Worship
VIDEO: Buddhist Ancestor Worship
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
DUE: Research Paper ROUGH DRAFT6
Week 15 (4/24-4/28): Fundamentalism and Belief
READ: Just Chapter 5: La Bose Becomes Bakar: Cast, Class, Tribe, Nation
READ: Moro Chapter 9: Religion in a Changing World
READ: Covington Chapters 9-12
READ: Global Rise of Secular Nationalism
READ: Female Circumcision
VIDEO: Holy Ghost People
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 16 (5/1-5/7): Voodoo & Related
READ: Covington Chapters 9-12
READ: Moro Chapter 6: Illness, Healing, and Religion
VIDEO: Haitian Voodo (NatGeo)
VIDEO: Haiti Voodoo: Physical Manifestations of the Spirit
DUE: Discussion Board Assignment
NO CLASS ON FRIDAY!
Week 17 (5/8-5/12):
DUE: Research Paper FINAL DRAFT
6 Bring a copy of your rough draft to the Friday class – we will do peer-editing/review, on that date. Attendance is
required.
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ASSIGNMENTS & YOUR GRADE
Essentially, there are three formal written assignments (Observation Paper, Rough Draft and
Final Draft) and a number of online discussion assignments required for this class. I have tried to
provide as much support material as possible to make completing these assignments as straight
forward, as possible. I understand, especially with an online class, that clarity isn’t always
possible, so be sure to ask me (or your classmates) for clarification if needed.
All citations must be formatted using the Chicago inline (not footnote) style guide. You can find
a good breakdown at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/02/.
Online Discussions
Most weeks, in the discussion boards online you will find your online assignment for the week.
(http://meissinger.boards.net/board/19/anthropology-religion). During the first week of classes
you should go to the message boards and sign up. Please, upload a recent selfie (you know you
have dozens) to your profile. This helps humanize and personalize you and should facilitate your
online discussion with your peers. These online assignments may include a chapter in your
textbook (usually signified by the last name of the author “Moro”), supplemental readings (the
links are provided) and one or more videos. Some of these videos are more than an hour in
length, while others are just a few minutes long. As this is an online class, your requirements for
this are to watch the video(s) and complete the reading(s) and then participate in an online
discussion with your classmates about that material. Essentially, these online activities are
intended to simulate the time (and material) we would spend (or cover) in face-to-face lectures.
Therefore, I want you to consider the following when you post. I do not want to see 40 individual
posts restating the obvious. This needs to be a discussion. If someone has already posted a point
and you want to elaborate or argue against that point, you should reply and expand upon that
discussion. I also don’t want to see a bunch of people waiting for others to post and then go in
and post a bunch of “I agree.” or “That’s how I see it, also.” Sorts of postings. I need to know
that you’ve engaged the material (videos and readings). Therefore, you need to be specific. You
need to use specific examples from the assigned source material. You might need to bring in
outside material.
As these may represent topics that can become very personal to you or your classmates, keep the
basic rules of netiquette in mind. You may criticize an idea or a concept, but never make it
personal. It’s one thing to critique and another to be hurtful. Keep in civil and academic.
One final note a about the online assignments. This is an UPPER DIVISION writing class
at a 4-Year University. This is not a basic, freshmen, introduction to writing course.
Therefore, your postings MUST be grammatical, free from spelling errors. Understand
that the online portion of your grade is 50 percent of the total for this class – take it
seriously as it can severely hamper your ability to get out of this class, alive.