Anthropology 420/620 (section 01):  Magic, Witchcraft and Religion

Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00-12:15; Spring 2010

Ansari Business Building 102

Diversity Course

Course Description: This course is an overview of anthropological interpretations of and approaches to religion, magic and witchcraft.  Students should note that the class focuses primarily on the anthropological study of religion and includes discussion of magic and witchcraft as related to ideas of religion and the supernatural (note: we will not be learning to cast spells or mix love potions).  At the beginning of the semester, we will discuss the idea of “religion” and the way anthropologists have attempted to understand the phenomena we know collectively as “religion.”  Then, because the anthropology of religion is characterized primarily by looking at religion in practice, we will study forms and meanings of religious practice using examples from many different cultural contexts.  This will include (but is not limited to) a look at worldview, myth, ritual, spirit possession, religious practitioners and authority, gender, magic, witchcraft, and sorcery.  Toward the end of the semester, we will focus specifically on religion in the modern, global world.

ANTH 620: This course is also available for graduate credit. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for undergraduates, students taking the course for graduate credit will write a term paper, 10-15 pages in length, on a topic of their choice. On March 4, please hand in a one-page prospectus of your paper topic.   Occasionally, graduate students will be assigned additional reading; please note this on the class schedule below as “Grads.” 

Course Prerequisite: Anthropology 101, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, is a prerequisite for this course. You should be familiar with the basics of cultural anthropology prior to taking this course.

Required Books:

Bowen, John R.

2008     Religions in Practice: An Approach to the Anthropology of Religion. Allyn and Bacon.  4^th edition.  (If you buy a used book, PLEASE make sure you get the proper edition—they are quite different.)

Lambek, Michael, Editor (as “Reader” on syllabus)

2008     A Reader in the Anthropology of Religion.  Blackwell Publishing.

McCarthy Brown, Karen

2001     Mama Lola: A Voudou Priestess in Brooklyn.  California.

Course Requirements and Grading:

10% attendance and participation

30% midterm exam

30% final exam

30% paper

• Attendance, participation, and preparation are very important.  Information will be presented in lectures and discussions that is not covered in the readings. Because of this, please make sure that you attend class regularly. 
• Attendance may be monitored by occasional pop quizzes (credit/no credit).
• I do not make my notes available for students, nor does the TA.  If you miss a class, make arrangements to get notes from a classmate.
• Reading: Please note that you must complete all assigned readings before class; even if we do not discuss some of the readings, you will be held responsible for them on exams.
• The reading for the course is fairly heavy—you can expect to be doing at least 100 pages per week, so make sure that you plan enough time to complete all the assignments. 
• Discussion Groups: some days, we will break into small groups to discuss the readings. These are noted on the syllabus.  Please make sure your reading is completed on time so you don’t let down your group.
• Films: I will show several ethnographic or documentary films in class. The films are required viewing and may show up on exams.
• Exams: there will be two in class exams: midterm and final.  Exams will consist of short answer and essay questions, and perhaps an objective section. Exams will be based on readings and lectures.
• Undergraduate Paper: All undergraduate students will write a 4-6 page paper on the ethnography Mama Lola.  Guidelines for the paper will be distributed in class.
• Graduate Paper: Graduate students will be required to write a 10-15 page term paper on a topic of their choice that is relevant to the class and based on outside readings; graduate students will not write the short paper required of undergrads.  Guidelines for the paper will be distributed in class.  On March 4, please hand in a one-page prospectus of your paper topic.

Class Policies

• I am happy to make accommodations for students with recognized disabilities; please see me early in the semester to discuss your needs.
• Cell phones must be turned off or silenced during class.
• You may use laptops to take notes. However, if they prove to be distracting, I reserve the right to prohibit laptops.
• Late essays will not be accepted.
• Pop quizzes cannot be made up.
• Make-up exams are NOT permitted without a well-documented medical excuse.

Academic Standards and Ethics

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic F for the course and student will be reported to UNR’s student affairs office.  The UNR catalog outlines university policy concerning academic ethics and integrity; I advise all students to read it.

http://www.unr.edu/stsv/acdispol.html.  If you are unclear about what constitutes academic dishonesty, please see me.

Schedule of Topics and Readings