Anthropology 4700
The Supernatural:
Magic, Witchcraft & Religion
Instructor:
Sara Barraza
Office hours:
to be announced
email:
sbarraza@pacs.unt.edu
Course Description: This course is designed as an introduction of anthropological
approaches to the understanding of cultural beliefs in the supernatural. This includes an
examination of magic, witchcraft and forms of religious expression in a mosaic of
cultures from diverse ethnographic regions as well as the contemporary United States of
America. This course considers the forms and functions of supernatural beliefs and rituals
in various societies to develop insights into the functional aspects of religious beliefs and
institutions in our lives.
Course Objective
Gain a general familiarity with anthropological approaches to the study of belief systems
Understand the role of belief systems in society
Gain an introductory and comparative appreciation of the belief system of several cultures
Be aware of and tolerant to the variety of religious traditions that exist worldwide
Provide students with skills of critical inquiry and fair minded critical thinking enabling them to
demonstrate the acquisition of a less ethnocentric view towards the world culture and the
religious beliefs found there in by describing strange practices in ethnographic rather than
pejorative terminology
Course Premise
All belief systems can be studied cross-culturally
All belief systems are potential candidates for study
The validity of non-empirical philosophical foundations cannot be ascertained
The importance of beliefs to the believers and its role in society can be studied
Notice: It is neither a theology course nor a history course, although both world view and
change- through time are implicit in the subject matter. In this class, though critical views
and open-minded discussion on study topics is encouraged, we make no assumptions
about the truth-value of one belief or practice versus another. To do so, please leave your
ethnocentrism at the door and honor the basic anthropological tenet of cultural
relativism; one can not fairly judge the values and beliefs of another society based upon
his/ her own socio-religious values. Through the anthropological lens all religious
perspectives are equally interesting, and valued for the light they shed on how culture and
society operates. (For example, comprehend that your religion/belief system is one of
many which may be subject to the same level of analysis as the head hunting tradition of
tribes along the Sepik River in New Guinea.)
Course Texts
Lehmann, Myers & Moro, Magic, Witchcraft and Religion, 6th ed.
Lewis, Soul Rebels: The Rastafari
Grading Procedure
Grades in this course will be based on two major exams, one research paper, quizzes on
readings and class participation. Students will be notified in class of any changes in the
course schedule.
Exam I = 100 pts
Final Exam = 100 pts
Research Paper = 100 pts
Quizzes = pt values to be determined
Class Participation = 50 pts
Final Grade Determination
100-90% of pt total = A
89-80% of pt total = B
79-70% of pt total = C
69-60% of pt total = D
59% and below
=F
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
Note: The Anthropology Department does not discriminate on the basis of an
individual’s disability as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Our
program provides academic adjustments or help to individuals with disabilities in
its programs and activities. Attempts will be made to meet all certified
requirements.
Plagiarism and Cheating.
The department of anthropology does not tolerate plagiarism, cheating, or
helping others to cheat. Plagiarism is defined as misrepresenting the work of
others (whether published or not) as your own. It may be inadvertent or
intentional. Any facts, statistics, quotations, or paraphrasing of any information
that is not common knowledge, should be cited. Students suspected of any of
these will be provided the opportunity for a hearing; if found guilty they can
receive an automatic “F” in the course. In addition, I reserve the right to pursue
further disciplinary action within the UNT legal system, which may result in your
dismissal from the university. For more information on paper writing, including
how to avoid plagiarism, and how to use citations, see
http://www.unt.edu/anthropology/writing.htm. For information on the University’s
policies regarding academic integrity and dishonesty, see the UNT Center for
Student Rights and Responsibilities, http://www.unt.edu/csrr/.
Make-up exams: Make-ups will not be given unless students approach me with
a reasonable excuse BEFORE the scheduled test. No exceptions. Students
may not reschedule exams because of out of town trips and/or plane
reservations. Mark the test dates on your calendar. Withdrawal: Withdrawing
from a course is a formal procedure which YOU must initiate. I cannot do it for
you. If you simply stop attending and do not withdraw, you will receive a
performance grade, usually an “F.” Your primary responsibility as a student is
to master the material presented in class and in the readings and do well in the
course. This is an easily achieved objective. Come to class, do the readings,
and take notes! At times concepts or issues raised in class might be unclear.
Students come from a variety of backgrounds and have various strengths and
weaknesses. If you have any questions or feel unsure about any class material,
see me after class or during office hours as soon as you realize a problem. We
will work together to find a solution. DON’T wait until the end of the semester.
Please realize that my goal as an instructor is not just to test, grade, and
evaluate, but to help you gain a valuable life perspective to carry outside the
class, into whatever you do.
Class Room Courtesy
Please switch off all beepers and cellular phones prior to entering the class room.
Thank you and have fun!
Aug 29,31: Introduction , The Anthropology of Religion
Reading: Chapter 1
Sept. 5-6 Introduction to Supernatural
Readings:
Film: Animis
Sept. 12-14, 19 3components of Religion Myth, Ritual & Ethics
Readings: pp 56- 67, 72- 76, 92-139
Sept. 21 Symbolism Paper 1 Due
Readings: Pp.68-71, 77-91
Sept. 26- 28 Religious Specialist
Readings: 144,154, 160-171
Oct. 3-5 Ethnomedicine & religious healing
Readings: Pp. 207-244
Film: Ancient Healing
Oct. 10-12 Religious Use of Drugs Paper 2 Due
Reading: pp.179-200,
October 17th Mid Term Witchcraft & Magic
Readings: pp.252-264, 274-287,294300
Oct. 19th Ghost Souls & Ancestors
Readings: pp. 301-310,
Film: To be announced
Oct. 24-26 Old & New Religions
Readings: pp. 341-376, 382-391, pp.403-486
Oct. 31 Religion as a social movement
Readings: Soul Rebels: The Rastafari ,
Dec. 2-8 Pre-Finals week Review
Dec 12th Final 1:30-3:30
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAPER
Requirements: Length should be 10 typed pages, double spaced, 1" margins. At least 8
sources must be used and should be accurately referenced in the text of the paper.
Include articles from at least two scholarly journals. Encyclopedias are not acceptable
references. Due Dates: 9/21 Topic Approval 11/14 Paper Due TOPIC: Analyze a topic
in the anthropological study of religion that is of interest to you. The topic, must be
approved by the instructor, but you may choose whatever in the field appeals to you.
You may study the religion of a single culture in depth, or you may look at some aspect
of religion cross-culturally. For example, you might want to explore "Religious
Symbolism of the Nuer of Africa" or "Funeral Rituals in MesoAmerica" or "Cult
Movements in 20th Century American" or "A Comparison of Witchcraft in Three
Cultures." Write a paper in which you: a) introduce your topic and the thesis you wish to
defend, b) present data from your research that defends that thesis and c) draw
conclusions regarding your thesis that are based on the data you presented.
Paper 2 is a field component of the class. Students are required to do one of the
following:
Analyze and decode cultural scenes that reveal aspects of the sacred of r eligious
Visit religious sites, temples, shrines and analyzing religious rituals and or iconograhpy
Body as symbol (veiling, tattoo, clothing)
Examining cultural rites of passage
Analyzing architecture of sacred buildings
Collecting folklore, myth and anal yzing or interpreting the sacred or religious nature
Interviews on the relative importance of religion, religious views
Interviews on the nature of religion and violence in the 21ts century
Interviews on the intersection of religion & politics
Analyzing English language newspapers and journals from other countries as well as
U.S. that relate to contemporary religious traditions
the