Anthropology 330 – Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion
Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30-2:50pm
Professor: Dr. Pamela Lindell
Office: RN 217
Office phone: 558-2316
Email: lindelp@scc.losrios.edu
Office hours: MW 12:20-1:20,
TR 10:30-11:30, and by appointment
Course Description: This is a cross-cultural study of the forms and functions and
supernatural beliefs and associated rituals in various societies of Africa, Asia, aboriginal
Australia, Oceania, South America, native North America and elsewhere. The emphasis
of the course is on understanding beliefs and rituals within their social contexts, and on
broad comparison to derive insight into the general functions of beliefs and rituals in
human life.
Textbook: Religions in Practice 3rd or 4th edition, by John Bowen
In order to cut costs, students may use either edition. As some material differs
between the editions, on occasion students will have to access material that is not in their
edition by reading reserves in the library or elsewhere. Both editions are on reserve in
the library, and a copy of the 3rd edition is on reserve in the RISE office.
Student learning outcomes and objectives: Upon completion of this course, the
student should be able to
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compare a large range of religious, ritual and magical beliefs throughout the
world and over time.
analyze the socio-cultural context of religious and magical beliefs.
differentiate between the basic anthropological approaches to the study of ritual,
magic and religion.
describe anthropological approaches to date gathering and the analysis of
ceremonial, magical and supernatural practices and beliefs.
evaluate the roles of magic, ritual, and belief systems in contemporary societies,
with particular emphasis on the students' own cultures.
examine examples of "cults", their origins, their most important features and their
socio-cultural significance.
compare curing practices and their underlying beliefs in cross-cultural
perspective.
demonstrate the connections between economics, social organization and
supernatural belief systems cross-culturally.
Prerequisite: ENGWR 50 and ENGWR 59 or ESLW 310 and ESLR 310 with grades of
“C” or better. This prerequisite is necessary due to the amount of writing that will
completed in this class.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory in order to stay enrolled in and pass this class. In
accordance with college policy, any student who has missed 10% or more of the total
class hours (5.4 hours for a 54-hour class) may be failed or dropped without prior
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notification, regardless of performance in other aspects of the course. Illness, car
problems, family emergencies, etc. DO NOT qualify for excused absences. Excused
absences are only provided for college-sponsored activities. It is the student’s
responsibility to get notes for missed lecture material. The professor does not supply
copies of lecture notes.
Special needs: If you take exams through Learning Disabilities, please notify the
professor as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Cheating and plagiarism: Cheating and/or plagiarism (direct copying of sources
without quotations or citations) is a serious violation of college policy and will result in
the following: 1) The student will fail the exam on which s/he cheats or the assignment
that was plagiarized. 2) The student will sit in the front row for all remaining exams. 3)
The event will be reported to the administration. Repeated administrative reports result
in expulsion from the college.
If you are aware that a fellow student is cheating, please report it to the professor. A
student who cheats is robbing other students of their hard work, and is cheating
him/herself out of an education.
A note on appropriate classroom behavior: All participants in this class will behave
respectfully toward each other, the professor, and themselves. Be attentive and take
notes. Students are encouraged to ask questions. Hate speech and disrespectful remarks
will not be tolerated. Do not sleep in class, come in late or leave early, use cell phones
during class, pass notes, or otherwise engage in disruptive or rude behaviors. Repeated
engagement in such behaviors will result in a grade penalty and/or administrative
interference as appropriate.
Grading method: Your grade in this class will be based on your total point
accumulation as follows:
A – 360 to 400 points
B – 359 to 320 points
C – 280 to 319 points
D – 240 to 318 points
F – less than 240 points
The class is divided into four sections, as such:
Term 1: January 23 to February 13
Term 2: February 20 to March 12
Term 3: March 24 to April 16
Term 4: April 21 to May 14
It is possible to accumulate a maximum of 100 points per section. These points may be
earned by completing any of the following:
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One 100-point exam at the end of the section, which will be a combination of
true/false, multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.
Four 25-point homework assignments, one due at the end of each week.
One 75-point activity assignment, due at the end of the section.
One 50-point Powerpoint presentation submitted on cd-r, due at the end of the
section.
Perfect attendance without tardiness or leaving early, for 25 points per section.
Extra points accumulated in one section may not be carried over into the following
section.
Exams - Exams will be comprised of true/false, multiple choice, short answer, and essay
questions. They will be based on information from assigned readings, class lectures, and
films. Study guides for the exams are available on my website at
wserver.scc.losrios.edu/~lindelp
Homework Assignments – Homework papers must
* be at least 2.5 pages in length
* be typed using 12-point Times New Roman font
* be double spaced, but must not have extra spaces between paragraphs or
elsewhere
* have 1” margins at the top and bottom and 1.25 margins on the right and left
* have page numbers in the bottom right-hand corner
* have a title page with your name and the assignment title/number (your name
and the title of the essay will appear only on this title page and not on following
pages)
* be stapled
* have indented paragraphs
* have correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
* be comprised of an introduction, the body of the essay, and a conclusion
* include appropriate citations when a passage is quoted. Uncited quotes are
considered as plagiarized and may result in a failing grade. Quotes must appear
in quotation marks and be cited in the following manner if, for example, the
quote is on page 11 of the Bowen textbook: (Bowen 2007:11).
Homework assignments will be graded based on the extent to which they meet the criteria
listed above, and the quality and thoroughness of the answers to the questions below.
1A. According to Bowen, what are some of the challenges in defining “religion,” and
how might we respond to these challenges? Based on your own understanding and
experience, what qualities did you think of when you thought of a “religion” before
beginning this class? Finally, how do anthropologists go about studying religion?
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2A. What are the five world religions? What do they have in common with each other,
and how do they differ? What is animism and how is it distinctive from world religions?
With which kind of religion is shamanism most often associated? How does one become
a shaman, and what are the abilities and duties of a shaman?
3A. Compare and contrast the ideas of Edward Tylor and Emile Durkheim as to the
origins of religion. Furthermore, compare and contrast the ideas of Max Weber,
Bronislaw Malinowski, and Sigmund Freud as to the psychological underpinnings of
religion.
4A. Discuss ways in which the orientation to religion in Japan contrast with that which
has been developed in the West. According to Bowen, what are the different emphases in
Shinto and Buddhism? Why might these two religions be able to co-exist and be copracticed in Japan?
1B. What is the liminal period in a rite of passage, and why is it important? What are
three kinds of processes that can dominate the liminal period, according to Bowen?
Using either the Hopi or the New Guinea example, discuss the roles of pain and secrecy
in the initiation ritual of this culture and what type of liminal process you think this is,
and why.
2B. Death rituals serve a number of functions. Discuss examples wherein death rituals
do the following: reaffirm the social order, separate the status of the dead from the living,
and link death with life/fertility.
3B. In “The Legend of the God Neb-Er-Tcher, and the History of Creation,” who are the
deities Neb-Er-Tcher and Khepera? How was Khepera created? Who comprised the first
Egyptian trinity, and how did they come into existence? What role do elements (water,
earth, sky, etc.) play in this creation myth? How were humans created? Finally, what
thoughts about or reactions to the myth did you have?
4B. How is it that in some cultures, men and women are “made” through ritual? Discuss
one example. Can you think of a ritual with which you are familiar, in which a person is
shaped into a new being? Explain. Finally, how does one become a member of the
Amish church, and what does this have to do with Anabaptist philosophy?
1C. According to James Frazer, what are the two ideas that form the basis for magical
thinking? What are the two types of magic that stem from these ideas? Discuss an
example of each. According to the “anxiety” argument, which two activities in baseball
would be most associated with magical practice, and why? Apply the anxiety predictor
to your own life – have you known yourself or others to engage in magical
thinking/practice under such conditions?
2C. Discuss the reported effects of both direct prayer/personal religious activity and
intercessory prayer on the health and mortality rates of ill individuals. How might these
results be corroborated with studies of mapping the brain? Do you think that research
universities should conduct scientific studies of the effects of prayer? Why or why not?
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3C. Beliefs in malicious sorcery and witchcraft acts are said to reflect the concerns of a
society. Discuss two examples of this, including both the sorcery/witchcraft beliefs and
what they say about societal concerns. How do you think that we deal with the same
sorts of concerns in societies such as the contemporary U.S., where sorcery and
witchcraft beliefs are not prevalent?
4C. Based on the information provided by the guest speaker, provide a synopsis of the
basic beliefs and practices of the neo-pagan movement. What was the most interesting
thing you learned from the speaker? What surprised you most, if anything, about the
neo-pagan movement?
1D. In Hinduism, what are puja and how do living people connect with ancestors and
deities through them? Compare and contrast puja with the Catholic communion – what
similarities and/or differences do you see? How did the ritual of communion change
during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and what was probably the underlying reason
for these changes?
2D. Discuss the use of speech and song in the Muslim, Navajo, and Protestant religions.
What similarities do you note, and what major differences?
3D. What is a revitalization movement? What is the difference between a millenarian
movement and a messianic movement? Discuss an example of each. Do you think these
examples were “successful” revitalization movements? Why or why not?
4D. After reading chapter 14, what is your answer to the question “Does religion
promote violence?” Explain why you answered the way you did. If after reading this
chapter you were hired as a consultant to try to end religious violence, what suggestions
would you make?
Activity Assignments - Activity assignments must
* include at least 5 pages of typed essay
* be typed using 12-point Times New Roman font
* be double spaced, but must not have extra spaces between paragraphs or
elsewhere
* have 1” margins at the top and bottom and 1.25 margins on the right and left
* have page numbers in the bottom right-hand corner
* have a title page with your name and the assignment title/number (your name
and the title of the essay will appear only on this title page and not on following
pages)
* be stapled
* have correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
* have indented paragraphs
* be comprised of an introduction, the body of the essay, and a conclusion
* include a thesis statement
* include appropriate citations if a passage is quoted. Uncited quotes are
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considered as plagiarized and may result in a failing grade. Quotes must appear
in quotation marks and be cited in the following manner if, for example, the
quote is on page 11 of the Bowen textbook: (Bowen 2008:11).
* include a “works cited” page if you include citations in your essay
Activity assignments will be graded based on the extent to which they meet the criteria
listed above, the cohesiveness between the thesis statement and the information presented
to support it, the description of activities and results, the interpretation of results, and the
quality and quantity of information presented in the paper.
Activity assignment, section 1: “Create a Religion” (read chapters 1, 2, and 3 before
beginning this assignment)
In this exercise you will create and describe a realistic, though fictional, religion.
First think about what type of religion this will be – animistic or world? This initial
categorization will determine several characteristics of your religion, as discussed in
class. Assign a name to your religion, or not, but explain its name or absence thereof.
Your thesis statement should appear in the introduction (see “What is a thesis statement?”
below).
Describe the religion as if you are writing for a textbook. Readers will want to
know the origins of the religion. Discuss the geographic location or geographic origin of
your religion and how the environment influenced it. Discuss the religion’s primary
beliefs and practices, and central characters if any. Again, the characteristics of the
religion must be consistent with what you have learned about animistic and world
religions. Are there any images used in the religion and if so, what do they symbolize?
Have any historical factors influenced the way in which the religion is practiced today?
Next, describe the functions of the religion – what benefit does it serve to its
adherents? In this section, utilize at least one theoretical framework from chapter two.
Close your paper with a conclusion that reiterates your thesis statement and the
main points of your paper that lend support to the thesis statement.
Activity assignment, section 2: “Attend a Ritual” (read chapter 4 before beginning this
assignment)
Attend a ritual, preferably one with which you are unfamiliar. The ritual might be
a special occasion such as a rite of passage, or may be a regular worship service. A good
list of places of worship in Sacramento can be found at
http://midtowngrid.com/CommunityWorship.shtml
and also at
http://www.sacramentochurches.org/
although the latter includes only Christian churches. Before you attend the ritual, be sure
that they have an open-door policy. If not, be sure to get permission from someone
before you attend. In addition to your attendance, you will need an informant to provide
an emic perspective.
Your thesis statement should appear in the introduction (see “What is a thesis
statement?” below). In the beginning of your paper you will also justify why the event
that you attended can be classified as a ritual.
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Include the following information in your paper: What ritual did you attend and
how did you find out about it? Who is your informant and how did that person come to
be your informant? Was the ritual sacred or secular? Explain. Who led the ritual, who
participated, and who attended (general types of people, not specific names)? Describe
the sequence of events. Analyze symbolism present in the ritual. Analyze social and/or
psychological functions of the ritual. Note whether any of the following applied: Sacred
space, sacred objects, formula of words or actions, or communitas. Was this a rite of
passage? If so, identify the three stages. Include a brochure/program if available. Takes
notes at the ritual if you can, but do not do so if you think it will seem offensive or
unseemly.
You should interview your informant after attending the ritual in order to gain an
understanding of anything that seemed unfamiliar to you, including any symbolism or
actions that you observed.
Close your paper with a conclusion that reiterates your thesis statement and the
main points of your paper that lend support to the thesis statement.
Activity assignment, section 3: “Magical Thinking and Behavior” (read chapter 6 before
beginning this assignment)
In this exercise, you will identify and discuss magical thinking and/or practice
among your friends and relations. If you ask someone if they practice magic, they are
likely to say “no.” However, we know that people practice magic when they do not
consider it as such; for example, when they employ good luck charms or otherwise
engage in routines of behavior for specific results, use specific words to influence events,
or utilize healing remedies based on principles of likeness or contact.
Again, your thesis statement should appear in the introduction (see “What is a
thesis statement?” below). You will have found at least two informants whom you have
identified as engaging in magical thinking or behavior. Briefly introduce them (you do
not have to use real names) and explain why you chose these informants. Discuss
examples of their magical thinking and/or behavior, including as much detail as you can.
In your ensuing analysis, see if you can identify a thread that links the examples.
Do they all have to do with anxiety? Uncertainty? Social relationships? Classify your
examples as either homeopathic, contagious, or both, and explain your reasoning.
Close your paper with a conclusion that reiterates your thesis statement and the
main points of your paper that lend support to the thesis statement.
Activity assignment, section 4: “Create an Altar” (complete readings for week 13 before
beginning this assignment)
In this assignment, you will “construct” an altar that symbolizes your worldview
or belief system, and provide appropriate offerings to it. The assignment will consist of
the five pages of typed essay as well as a drawn altar. The drawing will be on a blank
piece of standard letter-sized paper or larger paper that can be folded down to size.
Staple it to the back of your essay. Do not worry if you do not have good drawing skills;
you need only draw an outline of the objects on your altar, then label the objects.
Again, your thesis statement should appear in the introduction (see “What is a
thesis statement?” below). Your altar will include images and/or objects that symbolize
your worldview or belief system. The objects need not be “religious” per se, since you
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are the one ascribing meaning to them. Limit the number of objects to five. Think
carefully about not only what you choose to place on your altar, but also the items’
placement on the altar (central, left side, right side, back, front). Explain each item (they
may be items that you actually own, or not), why you chose it, what it symbolizes, and
why you placed it where you did.
You will conduct ritual offerings at your altar. Describe the offerings and their
symbolism; why did you choose these particular offerings? Recall that “all forms of
offering, simple or elaborate, involve purifying, communicating, and making offerings”
(Bowen 2008:127). Describe all three of these processes. How often will these offerings
take place, and why?
Close your paper with a conclusion that reiterates your thesis statement and the
main points of your paper that lend support to the thesis statement.
Powerpoint Presentations – Powerpoint presentations must
* be submitted to the instructor on a cd-r disc labeled with your name, the title of
the presentation, and the page reference (see next)
* be an informative presentation, centered around a thesis statement, about a
topic discussed in your text during the assigned section, with the page
reference of the culture/topic noted on the disc
* include at least 20 Powerpoint slides
* have correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, though bullet points can be
used
* include the thesis statement on the first slide
* include text on every slide
* include at least 10 slides with photos or graphics illustrating the text
Examples of topics might be: Egyptian mythology, Catholic relics, Marian apparitions,
the Hajj, Hindu puja, etc. The thesis statement will define the specific point or argument
of the presentation.
Powerpoint presentations need not be presented to the class. Think of the
professor as your audience.
If you are in doubt of your topic, please consult with the professor.
Powerpoint presentations will be graded based on the extent to which they meet
the criteria listed above, the relevance of the thesis statement to material covered in the
appropriate section of the class, ability of the presentation to support the thesis statement,
information content of the presentation, and the relevance of photos and graphics to the
information content.
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What is a thesis statement? (quoted from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill Writing Center website, at http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html)
“A thesis statement:
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tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under
discussion.
is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from
the rest of the paper.
directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a
question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might
be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the
war or the novel.
makes a claim that others might dispute.
is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your
argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and
organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your
interpretation”
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The last day to drop full-semester classes is April 20.
Class Schedule:
Reading assignments must be read prior to the class for which they are assigned. When
there are differences between the 3rd and 4th editions, they will be noted.
Class Section 1
Week 1: 1/23 – Studying Religion through Practice
Bowen ch. 1
Week 2: 1/28 & 1/30 – Shamanism, Animism, and the World Religions
read “Shamanism and Magic” by Michael York, online at
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=NngdAooleAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA81&dq=michael+york+shamanism+magic&ots=h
ozVgwnOd8&sig=tN8pKntcrftH5dSE4FGzALKiRLg#PPA86,M1
Homework 1A due on 1/28 by 1:10pm and no later.
Week 3: 2/4 & 2/6 – Social Theory in the Anthropology of Religion
Bowen ch. 2
Homework 2A due on 2/4 by 1:10pm and no later.
Homework 3A due on 2/6 by 1:10pm and no later.
Week 4: 2/11 – Ideas and Practices of “Religion”
Bowen ch. 3
2/13 – Exam; all assignments due by 1:10pm and no later (those not taking the
exam may leave after submitting assignments)
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Class Section 2
Week 5: 2/20 – Rituals part 1: Initiation Rituals
Bowen pp 43-48 (same in both editions)
Homework 1B due on 2/20 by 1:10pm and no later.
Week 6: 2/25 & 2/27 – Rituals part 2: Mortuary Rituals
Bowen pp 48-58 (same in both editions)
Homework 2B due on 2/27 by 1:10pm and no later.
Week 7: 3/3 & 3/5 – Myth and Folklore
“The Legend of the God Neb-Er-Tcher, and the History of Creation” (Egyptian
creation myth) found on the internet at www.sacred-texts.com/egy/leg/leg04.htm
Homework 3B due on 3/5 by 1:10pm and no later.
Week 8: 3/10 – Transforming Selves
Bowen 4th ed. ch. 3; Bowen 3rd ed. pp. 59-64, 151-152, and read pages 64-74
from ed. 4
3/12 – Exam; all assignments due by 1:10pm and no later (those not taking the
exam may leave after submitting assignments)
Spring Break: 3/17 & 3/29
Class Section 3
Week 9: 3/24 & 3/26 – Magic
Homework 1C due on 3/26 by 1:10pm and no later
Bowen 4th ed. pp 75-79; Bowen 3rd ed. pp. 76-80
Week 10: 3/31 & 4/2 – Illness and Healing
Bowen 4th ed. pp 79-95; Bowen 3rd ed. ch. 7
Homework 2C due on 4/2 by 1:10pm and no later
Week 11: 4/7 & 4/9 – Sorcery and Witchcraft
Bowen ch. 8
Homework 3C due on 4/9 by 1:10pm and no later
Week 12: 4/14 – Sorcery and Witchcraft, cont.
4/16 – Exam; all assignments due by 1:10pm and no later (those not taking the
exam may leave after submitting assignments)
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Class Section 4
Week 13: 4/21 & 4/23 – Objects, Images, and Worship
Bowen 4th ed. pp. 120-128 and ch. 10; Bowen 3rd ed. ch. 9
Homework 1D due on 4/23 by 1:10pm and no later
Week 14: 4/28 & 4/30 – Sacred Speech and Divine Power
Bowen 4th ed. ch. 11; Bowen 3rd ed. pp. 170-188 and 195-203
Homework 2D due on 4/30 by 1:10pm and no later
Week 15: 5/5 & 5/7 – Prophets and Religious Movements
Bowen 3rd ed. pp 216-232 (this material is not in the 4th ed)
Homework 3D due on 5/7 by 1:10pm and no later
Week 16: 5/12 & 5/14 – Religion, Radicalism, and Violence
Bowen ch. 14
All assignments due on 5/14 by 1:10pm and no later.
Final Exam: Monday, May 19 at 3pm (those not taking the final need not come to class)
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR POINTS
SECTION 1 POINT TOTAL _________________ (100 TOTAL POSSIBLE @ END OF SECTION)
SECTION 2 POINT TOTAL _________________ (200 TOTAL POSSIBLE @ END OF SECTION)
SECTION 3 POINT TOTAL _________________ (300 TOTAL POSSIBLE @ END OF SECTION)
SECTION 4 POINT TOTAL _________________ (400 TOTAL POSSIBLE @ END OF SECTION)
To calculate your grade at any given time, add your total number of points and divide it
into the total number of points possible in the class so far. For example, if you have 160
total points at the end of section 2, 160/200 = 80, which is a B.
90 to 100% = A
80 to 89% = B
70 to 79% = C
60 to 69% = D
59% and below = F
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