M/W: 11-2:20
Clare M. Wilkinson
VMMC 102C; 360 546-9574
cmweber@wsu.edu
Anthropology 303:
Religious
Experience
Academic dishonesty and student conduct
Any student found in violation of the academic
integrity policy will be given a warning and will
rewrite the assignment for reduced credit. For
the second violation, there is an F for the course
and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself
with what constitutes cheating and how to avoid
it. No excuses will be tolerated. For additional
information please contact (360) 546 9573
School closures
Register at zzusis with emergency contact
information. Evacuation points are shown as
each building entrance. Please check local
media, and the WSU Vancouver web page in
case of class cancellation. Individual class
cancellations may be made at the discretion of
the instructor. Students are expected to make
the best decision for their personal
circumstances. Please refer to the Safety plan
website.
Accommodations
Accommodations may be available if you need
them in order to fully participate in this class
because of a disability. Accommodations may
take some time so it is critical that you contact
Disability Services as soon as possible. All
accommodations must be approved through
Disability Services, located in the Student
Resource Center in the Student Services Center,
(360) 546-9138
Course goals
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Coverage of the main themes and thinkers in the anthropology of
religion
Introduction to the approach anthropology takes to issues of
religious belief, action, and identity
Deepen student understanding of the social and cultural
dimensions of religions in the world, including the great world
religions
Suggest ways in which anthropology can offer fresh perspectives
on everyday experience
Assignments
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Two take-home exams, 70 points total
Submission of reading notes, 15 points
Leading discussion on a topic or reading, 10 points
Attendance and participation, 5 points.
Classroom policies
In a short class, attendance and active participation is especially
important. I will expect you at every class unless you have a pressing
reason not to be there. In addition, I am adopting a policy of NO
LAPTOPS. Please also refrain from using your mobile phone during
class.
Scoring
95-100, A; 90-94, A-; 87-89, B+; 84-86, B; 80-83, B-; 77-79, C+; 74-76, C;
70-73, C-; 67-69, D+; 64- 66, D; below 64, F.
Readings
Moro: Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
PDFs indicated in the syllabus will be provided separately
Learning goals:
http://anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/learning-goals/
WEEK AND DATE
1
Jun 22/24
2
3
4
Jun 29/Jul 1
Jul 6/8
Jul 13/15
MONDAY
Introduction, what is religion? Some
important anthropological
considerations.
WEDNESDAY
Symbolism and introduction to ritual
READING: Eller
Religion and power: ritual continued,
sources of supernatural power
READING: Turner p. 90, Mason,
Myerhoff, Gmelch
Religion and the body
READING: Wolf, Geertz, Beattie
Strange beings, the problem of death
READING: Lock, Hoodfar, Nanda PDF
[Kapchan recommended]
The problem of evil and affliction:
witchcraft
READING: Lewis p. 190, Furst and Coe,
Harner
Shamanism, healing and magic I
READING: Foster, Thomas, Hewlett,
McPherson
READING: Vitebsky, Greenfield, de la
Portilla
READING: Metcalf, Conklin, Norget
Possession cults, transformative
experience
5
Jul 20/22
Shamanism, healing and magic II
Spiritual and temporal crisis,
revitalization.
6
Jul 27/29
READING: Fadiman, Gilmore, Hutson
New religions
READING Wallace PDF, Mullins
Global and contemporary trends in
religion
READING:
William Lewis, Fluehr-Lobhan
READING: Darlington, Erzen, Buckser
NOTE ON ASSIGNMENTS
 One midterm and one final take-home exam 30 points
and 40 points each (total 70 points)
The first exam will be made up of two sections covering
the different material in the course. You will be asked to
pick one question from each section plus one additional
question of your choice.
In the final, you will choose three questions from three
sections, plus one additional question of your choice.
Each question for the MIDTERM will require an answer of
approximately 1.25 to 2 typescript pages (approximately
12 pages in total). For the final, the length requirements will
be from 2.25 to 3 pages for each question.
You do not need to use citations unless you choose to use
a source that is not included in the course readings. In that
case, you may use whichever citation style you prefer, as
long as you are consistent.
 Submission of reading notes, 15 points
You must turn in at least FIVE reading notes on the
assigned articles. At least three will be due before the
half way mark in the class (JULY 13). These notes are
primarily to help you organize your thoughts on the
readings and to prepare for classroom discussion. You
must answer two questions: 1. What is most striking or
surprising about this reading? 2. How does the
reading relate to other readings or lecture material
(from this or other classes). You need to write at least
a paragraph or two on each question. Single or two
sentence answers will not be acceptable.
The notes must be handed in to me in hard copy form
(NOT by email). Except for week one, notes must be
handed in on the MONDAY of the week for which
readings are due.
The first take home is due on JULY 13. The final take home
will be due at the latest by AUGUST 3.
To obtain full credit, you simply need to a good faith
effort to fulfill the assignment. I won’t be evaluating or
critiquing what you write.
 Leading discussion on a topic or reading, 10 points
Attendance and participation, 5 points.
Everyone in class is responsible for introducing one of the
readings and initiating discussion. This reading MUST be a
separate one from the five you write notes on. We will start on
the second Wednesday of the course, with two students
presenting each classroom meeting.
Your goal in your presentation will essentially be to
elaborate on the note format given above. Start by describing
what you thought was striking or surprising about the article,
and then go on to talk about its connection to other material.
Your assessment for this assignment will depend upon the
organization of your presentation, and your ability to generate
class discussion around some key questions and issues. If you
would like to incorporate some visual materials or an exercise,
you are welcome to do so. Students are encouraged to discuss
their presentations with me in advance.
Classes are long and intensive in summer.
Boredom and restlessness are best combatted by
taking an active part in class and doing the
readings. And in order to do your best in the
exams, it will be important to come to every
class, unless you have a really good excuse.
I am also adopting a policy of banning laptop
use in class. I have yet to come across a situation
in which it is beneficial and many more in which it
detracts from the classroom environment. Use of
cell phones for texting, checking email, twitter
etc. etc. is also unacceptable.