Syllabus for Anthropology 121 LAVC
Anthropology of Religion, Magic & Witchcraft (Lecture Spring 2015)
Course: Anthropology of Religion, Magic & Witchcraft
Section: 3084
Time: Thursday 6:45-9:55 pm
Instructor: S. Etheridge-Criswell
Location: H-104
Office Hours: Thursday 5:45-6:45pm or by appointment (room TBD)
Email: etherism@lavc.edu (preferred) or sarah.etheridge@canyons.edu (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 (RECOMMENDED)
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:
1. Students will be able to compare and contrast religious practices, beliefs, and institutions from a
variety of societies with different economic and technological foundations.
2. Students will be able to evaluate the religious fixtures including symbolism, myth, ritual, and
ritual practitioners.
3. 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 absence or 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) 947-2681 or email
them at SSD@lavc.edu.
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
FEB 12
CHAPTER 1: THE
ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY OF
RELIGION
FEB 19
CHAPTER 2: MYTHOLOGY
FEB 26
CHAPTER 3:RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS
MAR 5
CHAPTER 4: RITUAL
MAR 12
CHAPTER 4: RITUAL
MAR 19
CHAPTER 5: ALTERED STATES OF
CONSCIOUSNESS
MAR 26
CHAPTER 6: RELIGIOUS
SPECIALISTS
ASSIGNMENT
Syllabus; Meet and Greet, Add/Drop
“Body Ritual Among the Nacirema”
ICA #1: “Why we Became Religious”
Video Log: Hero Myth Video and
discussion & Greek Mythology
ICA #2: Yanomamo Creation Myths
ICA #3: Making Joyful Noise in
Religious
Video Log: Swastika Documentary
HW #1: The Virgin of Guadalupe: A
Mexican National Symbol (article on
Portal)
Article on sacrifices
Video Log: Taboo: Creature Cures
HW #2: Adaptive Value of Rituals
(article on Portal)
Discuss novel
HW#1 due
Discuss novel
Quiz #1: Chapters 1-6 (Spirit Catches
You)
Video Log: Taboo Initiations
ICA#4: FGM article
HW #2 Due
Video Log: Taboo Sacred Pain
ICA #5: Trance and Possession
Review available on Portal
Information on Essay
ICA #6: The Berdache Tradition
Video: Taboo Healers
APR 2
CHAPTER 6: RELIGIOUS
SPECIALISTS
APR 9****
APR 16
NO CLASS
MIDTERM
APR 23
CHAPTER 7: MAGIC AND
DIVINATION
CHAPTER 8: SOULS, GHOSTS, AND
DEATH
Discuss novel
Discuss novel
Quiz #2: Chapters 7-12 (Spirit
Catches You)
ICA #7: Shamans
Review for Midterm
EASTER HOLIDAY
Chapters 1-6, articles, novel, videos
ICA#8: Baseball Magic article
ICA #9: Zombies and Vampires
article
Video Log: Death Rituals
ICA #10: Vampire Princess
HW #3: Haiti’s Living Dead (article
on Portal)
APR 30
CHAPTER 9: GODS AND SPIRITS
Video Log: Taboo: Evil Spirits
HW #3 Due
MAY 7
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 14
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 21
CHAPTER 11: THE SEARCH FOR
Review novel
NEW MEANINGS
Quiz #3: Chapters 13-Afterword (A
Spirit Catches You)
HW#5: Understanding Islam article
and questions on extremism
ESSAYS DUE
MAY 29
FINAL REVIEW
HW #5 Due
Video Log: Extra Points
Review for final
JUN 4
FINAL
Chapters 7-11 plus articles, videos,
novel
***************************************************************************************************
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