Universität Wien

240032 VO Anthropology of Religion, Magic and Witchcraft (3.3.5) (2022S)

The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). The plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used for courses with continuous assessment.

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

Sprache: Englisch

Prüfungstermine

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

If possible, the course is to be conducted in presence. Due to the respective applicable distance regulations and other measures, adjustments may be made.

  • Dienstag 01.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Mittwoch 02.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Donnerstag 03.03. 11:30 - 14:45 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Freitag 04.03. 11:30 - 14:45 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Montag 07.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Dienstag 08.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Mittwoch 09.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Donnerstag 10.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Montag 14.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Mittwoch 16.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Donnerstag 17.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

This course focuses on the anthropology of religion, magic and witchcraft. It will take into consideration and analyze human religious experiences from an anthropological perspective, by focusing on topics such as debates about definitions and the origin of “religion”, cosmology, myth and social memory, ritual, magic, witchcraft, ghosts, spirit possession, shamanism, religious healing, spirituality and secularization.

In doing so, it will also provide a historical overview of anthropological theories on these topics, thus informing students on the history of the anthropology of religion as a discipline.

Ethnographic examples from a variety of societies will be analyzed and discussed, in order to illustrate the wealth of religious experiences that exists around the world. Especially examples about East Asian and Japanese religions (including ascetic and shamanic practices) will be central, although also World Religions, contemporary New Age in the West, as well as classical examples about African or Native American religious practices will be taken into consideration.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Students will learn the historical development of anthropological theories and debates regarding religion and ritual, thus familiarizing with terminology and concepts.
- Students will learn to understand religious and spiritual phenomena in their social context.
- Students will gain an understanding of religion as an institution through which gender, class, identity, morality, health and personhood are expressed and performed.
- Students will examine the ways in which religions and their adherents respond to social, political and economic changes.
- Students will use appropriate methodological tools to formulate scholarly arguments

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

FINAL EXAM (100%):
6 open-ended questions on the topics in the textbook. One of the questions will consist in a brief analysis of one topic chosen by the student. Students will be required to answer a minimum of five on six questions overall, including the one on the chosen topic.
No aids may be used.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

1 (very good) --> 100-90%
2 (good) --> 89-80%
3 (satisfactory) --> 79-70%
4 (sufficient) --> 69-60%
5 (not sufficient) --> less than 60%

Prüfungsstoff

The final exam will be based on the whole textbook, the class slides and the further articles provided during classes.

Literatur

TEXTBOOK:
Bowie, Fiona. 2006. The Anthropology of Religion: An Introduction (2nd Edition). Malden, Oxford: Blackwell.

REFERENCE BOOK:
Eller, Jack David. 2007. Introducing Anthropology of Religion: Culture to the Ultimate. New York and London: Routledge.

Further references and suggested readings will be provided during classes.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Do 11.05.2023 11:28