Syllabus for Anthropology 121
Anthropology ofReligion, Magic & Witchcraft (Lecture Spring 2015)
Course: Anthropology of Religion, Magic & Witchcraft
Section: 3123
Time: Wednesday 6:50-10:00 pm
Instructor: S. Etheridge-Criswell
Location: CMS-004
Office Hours: Wednesday 5:45-6:45pm, Life Science Office or faculty lounge
Email:(preferred) or (back up)
The best way to contact me is through email. Please include your full name and class in the subject line of all emails. Inform the instructor immediately (a) about any special needs or learning requirements you may have
Textbooks:
Stein, Rebecca L. &Stein, Phillip L. (2011). The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft (3rd edition).Pearson. ISBN: 978-0205718115(REQUIRED)
Anne Fadiman. (2012). The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures (Paperback). Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 978-0374533403(REQUIRED)
Course Description: This course is an introductory course in comparative aspects and practices of religions around the world, using an anthropological lens.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to compare and contrast religious practices, beliefs, and institutions from a variety of societies with different economic and technological foundations.
- Students will be able to evaluate the religious fixtures including symbolism, myth, ritual, and ritual practitioners.
- Students will be able to analyze contemporary American religious practices in a broad array of communities, ethnic groups and immigrant groups including modern Wicca, Pentecostalism, cults, and New Age religious practices.
Expectations: Students must be prepared, organized, and must manage their time well, since this course is very interactive and has several overlapping elements. Students must come to class on time and prepared, with all materials needed to complete assignments. Students are expected to review materials and complete assignments during the week, in order to prepare for each class. Participation, discussion and demonstrations are required. All students must respect their fellow classmates so we can all share a productive, comfortable working environment, and all students must respect the classroom and its equipment and specimens.
Due Dates: No late work will be accepted. If you know you will be absent, you can make up assignments before the missed class but not after. No make-up tests will be given, except if the student has written evidence of a school-approved absenceor makes arrangements with me prior to the test date.
Attendance and Withdrawal: Students are expected to attend each class. If absent, students must get notes and other information from a classmate and also complete all assignments. Students are still held responsible for knowing all material, even if absent. After 3 absences, the instructor may withdraw you in accordance with the student’s lack of academic progress. You are responsible for confirming that you have been officially withdrawn from the course if you stop attending. Do not rely on the instructor to meet your withdrawal deadlines.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating on an exam or any other assignment is illegal and will not be tolerated. No memory aids of any kind may be used during exams. You may not use books, notes, note cards, PDAs, cell phones, text messaging, iPods, or any other memory aids during the exams. Electronic devices of any kind may not be used during class. Any student who is suspected of cheating by the Instructor will have their exam confiscated, receive an "F" grade (score of zero) for the exam, and will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action. Plagiarism, an unlawful act that is defined as the misrepresentation of the published ideas, concepts, or words of another as one's own, will not be tolerated in courses. Plagiarism on any exam or assignment will result in an "F" grade (score of zero) for that particular exam/assignment; the student will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action.
Classroom Behavior: Students must show respectful behavior when in class, to the instructor, other classmates, and to any specimens we may use. Any disrespectful or immature behavior will result in disciplinary action, including removal of student from the classroom. Use proper behavior when dealing with lab specimens. Talking during the class or using electronic devices during class is strictly prohibited. No food or drink is allowed inside the classroom at any time. Any items brought inside will be discarded.
Students with Special Needs: please notify the instructor of any special accommodations you might require during this course no later than the first class session. Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S): For appointments, eligibility and information call 818-364-7732 or visit
Deadlines:
Last Day to add: 2/20
Drop with no W: 2/22
To drop with a W: 3/10
Grading:
EXAMS: 1 midterm (100 points) and 1 final (100 points) (50 questions, all on Scantron)
11 In-Class Assignments (ICA): 20 points each, the lowest score dropped; total of 200 points
5 Homework Assignments (HW): 20 points each; total of 100 points
3 Quizzes on The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: 20 points each, total of 60 points
1 essay (1-2 pg, single-spaced): 50 points
Participation: up to an extra 40 points (Video log points (8 videos, 5 points each), active participation in the classroom, regular attendance, etc., determined by the instructor)
Optional Extra Credit assignments (details below) up to 20 points
(650 possible total points)
585-650 = A
520-584 = B
455-519 = C
390-454 = D
below 390 = F
Syllabus (May Change During the Semester)
DATE / CHAPTER / ASSIGNMENTFEB 11 / CHAPTER 1: THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY OF RELIGION / Syllabus; Meet and Greet, Add/Drop
“Body Ritual Among the Nacirema”
ICA #1: “Why we Became Religious”
FEB 18 / CHAPTER 2: MYTHOLOGY / Video Log: Hero Myth Video and discussion & Greek Mythology
ICA #2: YanomamoCreation Myths
FEB 25 / CHAPTER 3:RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS / ICA #3: Making Joyful Noise in Religious
Video Log:Swastika Documentary
HW #1: The Virgin of Guadalupe: A Mexican National Symbol (article on Portal)
MAR 4 / CHAPTER 4: RITUAL / Article on sacrifices
Video Log: Taboo: Creature Cures
HW #2: Adaptive Value of Rituals (article on Portal)
Discuss novel
HW#1 due
MAR 11 / CHAPTER 4: RITUAL / Discuss novel
Quiz #1: Chapters 1-6 (Spirit Catches You)
Video Log: Taboo Initiations
ICA#4: FGM article
HW #2 Due
MAR 18 / CHAPTER 5: ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS / Video Log: Taboo Sacred Pain
ICA #5: Trance and Possession
Review available on Portal
Information on Essay
MAR 25 / CHAPTER 6: RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS / ICA #6: The Berdache Tradition
Video: Taboo Healers
Discuss novel
APR 1 / CHAPTER 6: RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS / Discuss novel
Quiz #2: Chapters 7-12 (Spirit Catches You)
ICA #7: Shamans
Review for Midterm
APR 8**** / NO CLASS / EASTER HOLIDAY
APR 15 / MIDTERM
CHAPTER 7: MAGIC AND DIVINATION / Chapters 1-6, articles, novel, videos
ICA#8: Baseball Magic article
APR 22 / CHAPTER 8: SOULS, GHOSTS, AND DEATH / ICA #9: Zombies and Vampires article
Video Log: Death Rituals
ICA #10: Vampire Princess
HW #3: Haiti’s Living Dead (article on Portal)
APR 29 / CHAPTER 9: GODS AND SPIRITS / Video Log: Taboo: Evil Spirits
HW #3 Due
MAY 6 / CHAPTER 10: WITCHCRAFT / ICA #11 Salem Witch Trials
HW #4: Searching for the Truth: The Poison Oracle Among African Foragers and Farmers” (article on Portal)
Essays due in 2 weeks!!
MAY 13 / CHAPTER 10: WITCHCRAFT / Modern Witchcraft: 20 point EC option
Video Log: Taboo: Witchcraft
Discuss novel
Review available on Portal
HW#4 Due
Essays due next week!
MAY 20 / CHAPTER 11: THE SEARCH FOR NEW MEANINGS / Review novel
Quiz #3: Chapters 13-Afterword (A Spirit Catches You)
HW#5: Understanding Islam article and questions on extremism
ESSAYS DUE
MAY 27 / FINAL REVIEW / HW #5 Due
Review for final
JUN 3 / FINAL / Chapters 7-11 plus articles, videos, novel
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Extra Credit Option.Worth up to 20 points
You can do this only after May 13th (chapter 10)
The Green Man Store (Modern Witchcraft/Wicca)
Address:5712 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Phone:(818) 985-2010
Hours: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Because the textbook is required for this course, make sure you have a copy no later than the second day of class.
Additionally, each chapter has study questions. Completion and submission of study questions each week will earn you 2 points per chapter, for a total of 22 possible points, which will be added to your overall point total.