MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT AND RELIGION (ANT/SOC 3165)
Baruch College
Fall 2012
Instructor:
Email:
Class Meetings:
Office Hours:
Andrew Hernann
Andrew.Hernann@baruch.cuny.edu
Monday/Wednesday, 9:30am-10:45am, Rm VC 10-160
Mondays, 11:00am-1:00pm, Rm VC 4-260
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, we will examine magic, witchcraft, and religion in a cross-cultural and historical
framework. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of religion as symbolic thought and action in both
Western and non-Western societies and to the connections between religion and power.
The course is structured around major themes: magic, belief, symbols, tradition, ritual, morality, healing,
spirit possession, conversion, secularization. They constitute focal points of intensive theoretical debate
and at the same time analytical categories. The broader theoretical issues will be examined using a wide
range of ethnographic examples from various parts of the world. In doing so we will discover the
varieties of phenomena coexisting within the religious field and understand how key concepts have
been applied to specific cultural settings. In this class, we will examine classical ethnography, material
from world religions, in addition to literature and philosophy. As such, we will interrogate how magic,
witchcraft, and religion have been and continue to be understood, theorized, and represented. Thus
following these examples we will also move from local phenomena to global movements.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Develop an advanced knowledge of key concepts and theoretical debates that have shaped the
study of witchcraft, magic, and religion;
 Analyze religious phenomena by drawing on existing perspectives and constructing your own
arguments;
 Critically assess existing approaches to the study of magic, witchcraft, and religion from various
disciplines, discovering their benefits and limitations;
 Become familiar with various key social scientific thinkers related to religion and
anthropology/sociology;
 Acquire and develop a set of critical analytic skills (i.e., critical thinking, reading, writing).
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Classroom Culture
This course covers a number of issues about which many people hold strong feelings. Everyone is
entitled to their opinion and to have a voice, and I encourage respectful debate. Part of the goal of the
class is to enable students to learn from each other and communicate their thoughts on contemporary
issues in articulate and compelling ways, so THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Treat everyone in the classroom
with respect, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with their opinions. Intolerance, personal
attacks, slurs, insults, and any otherwise offensive language/behavior will not be tolerated.
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In terms of logistics: Laptop computers are NOT permitted, and you must turn off all electronic devices.
Attendance and punctuality are not only expected, but are mandatory. Improper use of electronics,
disruptive or disrespectful behavior, and regular tardiness or absence will result in loss of credit.
Academic Integrity
Both cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses which will NOT be tolerated by me or the College. The
work you do in this course is assumed to be your own; whether you reproduce someone else’s work
“word for word,” rephrase it, summarize it, or “borrow an idea,” you must fully cite your source. When
in doubt about citing, see the instructor. But remember, it is better to cite than to not. For more
information about how to avoid plagiarism, visit Baruch’s plagiarism tutorial at:
http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/help/plagiarism/default.htm
Required Materials
Only two books are required. All other materials are available online on Blackboard.
One book has been pre-ordered and can be found at the Baruch Bookstore:

Stein, Rebecca L. and Philip L. Stein. The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft. Third
Edition. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011.
The other book has NOT been ordered. It is easily available at online bookstores (e.g.,
http://www.amazon.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com). Order, buy, or check it out
immediately.

Heinland, Robert A. Stranger In A Strange Land. New York: Ace Trade, 1991.
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments are due IN CLASS on the assigned day—I do not accept electronic submissions. For each
class session that an assignment is late I will deduct 5% off the final mark. Extensions will be granted
ONLY in exceptional and documented circumstances. If you find that you are either having problems
with the material or that other circumstances are affecting your class performance, please speak with
the instructor as early as possible.
Writing Assistance
There is a moderately high level of writing required for this class. If you need assistance in this area,
please schedule an appointment with me and/or visit Baruch College’s Writing Center. For more
information, see:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/writingcenter/
Students with Disabilities
The instructor will accommodate students with disabilities. If you feel comfortable, please inform me as
early as possible so that the proper accommodations can be made. I will certainly respect your privacy.
Also, for more information on the services Baruch College offers to students with disabilities, visit:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityServices.htm
GRADING
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Attendance
Participation
Dailies
Book Critique
Create Your Own Religion Project
Final Exam
10%
10%
10%
10%
25%
35%
Attendance AND Participation
Both attendance and participation are mandatory. This means that students not only must come to
class, but must actively engage in the material and discussions. Therefore, everyone must read the
assigned articles BEFORE class in order to fully participate and receive full credit. Everyone is allowed 2
unexcused absences. Each additional unexcused absence will negatively affect both your attendance
and participation grade percentages. A total of five unexcused absences will automatically result in the
lowering of an entire overall letter grade. For every three subsequent unexcused absences, your grade
will be lowered an additional full letter. Also, habitual tardiness will severely affect your participation
grade. If you have obligations which will prevent you from attending class, please communicate this to
the instructor PRIOR to your absence.
Dailies
At the beginning of each class, everyone will need to turn in a one-paragraph (a minimum of five
sentences) summary for each assigned reading for that day. Each student will also have to define the
key terms I identify. The purposes of this activity is to practice writing skills and to engage the theories
and ideas presented in the required readings. A successful Daily demonstrates: (1) that the student
read the assigned texts, and (2) that the student is engaging ideas presented in previous readings—
along with his/her own original thoughts—to new material.
Book Critique
In the first third of the semester, you must write an extended critique of Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange
Land. This assignment expands upon the critical in-class discussions, and requires that you integrate
theoretical, ethnographic and literary examples into your argument. The critique must be 2-3 pages in
length. Further instructions to follow.
Due October 15.
Create Your Own Religion Project
In the second third of the semester, you must write an essay that describes a religion that you invent.
Writing as a social scientist conducting fieldwork with a group of people, you must consider all of the
components of magic, witchcraft, and religion examined in this course in your attempt to describe and
theorize how these components complement or resist one another in this created belief system. The
essay must be a minimum 5 pages in length, and like any other social scientific article, it must include
outside research using valid academic sources, in addition to referencing in-class texts. Further
instructions to follow.
Due December 3
Exam
During finals week, we will have an in-class essay exam which will require you to engage the major
themes investigated in this course. Further instructions to follow.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
**Note: Readings and dates are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion as the semester
progresses.
INTRODUCTION
August 27
THE QUESTION OF CATEGORIES
August 29
Reading
-Chapter 1 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
September 3 – No Class, Labor Day
September 5
Reading
-“Religion as a Cultural System” by Geertz
September 10
Reading
-“The Construction of Religion as an Anthropological Category” by Asad
- Chapters 1 - 5 (I - V) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
September 12
Reading
-“Magic, science and religion in Western Thought: anthropology’s intellectual legacy” and
“Anthropology’s intellectual legacy (continued)” by Tambiah by Tambiah
- Chapers 6 - 8 (VI - VIII) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
September 17 – No Class
MYTHOLOGY
September 19
Reading
-Chapter 2 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
-Chapters 9-11 (IX – XI) in Stranger in A Strange Land by Heinlein
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SYMBOLS AND SYMBOLISM
September 24
Reading
-Chapter 3 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
-“Ritual Symbolism, Morality, and Social Structure among the Ndembu” by Turner
-Suggested Reading: “Symbols in Ndembu Ritual” by Turner
September 26 – No Class
RITUAL
October 1
Reading
-Chapter 4 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
- Chapter 12 – 13 (XII – XIII) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
October 3
Reading
-“Toward a Genealogy of the Concept of Ritual” by Asad
- Chapter 14 – 16 (XIV – XVII) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
October 8 – No Class, Columbus Day
ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
October 10
Reading
-Chapter 5 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
-“Introduction” in Case Studies in Spirit Possession by Crapanzano and Garrison
October 15
Reading
-“Did Meditating Make Us Human?” by Rossano
- Chapter 17 – 19 (XVII – XIX) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
BOOK CRITIQUE DUE
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RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS
October 17
Reading
-Chapter 6 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
- Chapter 20 – 21 (XX – XXI) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
MAGIC AND DIVINATION
October 22
Reading
-Chapter 7 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
-Chapter 22 – 24 (XXII – XXIV) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
WITCHCRAFT
October 24
Reading
-Chapter 10 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
-Chapter 25 – 28 (XXV – XXVII) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
THE AFTERLIFE
October 29
Reading
-Chapter 8 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
October 31
Reading
-“World-Ending” by Crapanzano
November 5
Reading
-Chapter 29 (XXIX) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
November 7
Reading
-“The Divided Self, and the Process of Its Unification” by James
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-Chapter 30 (XXX) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
SUPERNATURAL ENTITIES
November 12
Reading
-Chapter 9 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft by Stein and Stein
-Chapter 31 – 33 (XXXI – XXXIII) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
TRANSVALUATION AND TRANSFORMATION
November 14
Reading
-Excerpt from The Protestant Ethic and the ‘Spirit’ of Capitalism by Weber
-Excerpt from “Capitalism and Protestantism” by Hook
-Chapter 34 (XXXIV) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
November 19
Reading
-“Good and Evil,” “Good and Bad” by Nietzsche
-“The Ethics of Listening: Cassette Sermon Audition in Contemporary Cairo” by Hischkind
November 21
Reading
-“Technologies of the Self” by Foucault
-Chapter 35 (XXXV) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
PEER REVIEW OF CREATE YOUR OWN RELIGION PROJECTS – BRING COMPLETED DRAFTS TO
CLASS
THE SEARCH FOR NEW MEANING
November 26
Reading
-Chapter 11 in The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft
-Chapter 36 – end (XXXVI – end) in Stranger In A Strange Land by Heinlein
November 28
Reading
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-Surah 7 (The Heights) in the Holy Qur’an
-Introduction and Chapter 1 in Qur’an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman’s
Perspective by Wadud
-John 9, Luke 10:25-37, and Luke 1 in the Holy Bible
-Chapters XVI and XVII of the Thomas Jefferson Bible
SECULARISM
December 3
Reading
-“Modes of Secularism” by Taylor
CREATE YOUR OWN RELIGION PROJECTS DUE
December 5
Reading
-“What Might an Anthropology of Secularism Look Like?” by Asad
-“Civil Religion in America” by Bellah
FINAL PROJECT DUE
SCIENCE & RATIONALITY
December 10
Reading
-“Multiple Orderings of Reality: The Debate Initiated by Levy-Bruhl” by Tambiah
December 12
Reading
-“Modern Science and its Extensions” by Tambiah
FINAL EXAM DATE: TBD
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