Instructor: Kimberly Cavanagh

Anthropology of Magic and Religion

ANTH B352-001

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Class Info:

2

South Campus, Library 258 843-208-8347 kcavanagh@uscb.edu

Office Hours:

M/W/F: 11-12:30 T/Th: 10:45-12:15 By appointment

F A L L 2 0 1 4

Course Description “A comparative examination of such topics as ritual, cosmology, revitalization movements, magic, witchcraft, myth and possession. Satisfies USCB General Education Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding Requirement”. (USCB 2012-2013 Bulletin) Prerequisites: None Credit Hours: 3

Course Readings Required Textbooks: 1) Magic Witchcraft and Religion: A Reader in the Anthropology of Religion 9th ed. by Moro and Myers, 2013 (ISBN: 13 9780078034947)

AND 2) Religions in Practice, 6th ed. By Bowen, 2014 (ISBN: 10: 0205917666

Additional readings may be assigned and will be available via the course Blackboard page under the heading “Readings”. All readings must be completed BEFORE class.

Drawing on local perspectives and making cross-cultural connections, this course examines religious practices and belief systems (including myth, magic and witchcraft) from cultures around the world. Through lectures, films, experiential learning, ethnographic readings and discussion, we will challenge the images and assumptions made about contemporary religious beliefs and followers by mass media. The course will attempt to foster an understanding of how religions are mediated through socio-economic and geo-political factors, along with a comparative exploration of specific case studies from a variety of global regions including the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Just a few of the topics to be examined include issues of identity, language, gender, tourism, economics, migration, and globalization. Additionally, we will discuss the role and purpose of myths from the past and situate them within our own culture today though a critical exploration of contemporary texts that have captured our national (and global) imagination, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and The Hunger Games.    Students who complete this course with a grade of “C” or better should be able to do the following: • Be able to identify and challenge their cultural assumptions in order

to better understand other belief systems. • Have the tools to analyze and discuss both traditional topics in the

anthropology of religion—such as symbols and myths—and more recent ones—such as the globalization of religion and the role of myth in contemporary story telling, and using anthropological terminology to do so

• Understand how social systems impact supernatural beliefs and practices in different cultural settings.

• Participate in current social, economic, and political discussions focusing on the presence of a variety of belief systems within cultures in a global society

• Critique and analyze images of religious followers found within various media

§ Develop, conduct, and analyze original ethnographic research based on a local religious/spiritual community

11

Library 237 South Campus T/TH: 12:15-1:30

2

Office Info:

2

ANTHROPOLOGY OF MAGIC AND RELIGION ANTH B352 FALL 2014 DR. CAVANAGH

21

Verification and Evaluation

1

The student will demonstrate competency in these areas through 1. Regular attendance to class and being

prepared to discuss questions based on lecture materials, readings, and class activities 2. Completing and obtaining an overall average grade of C or better based on the designated activities  

2

Assignment Total Possible Points Mid-term Exam 15% Final Take Home Exam 15% In class quizzes/Activities 10% IRB Training 10% Spiritual Narrative 10% Rite of Passage Narrative 10% Ethnographic Research Paper   30%

Email Etiquette Below are the guidelines I expect you to follow when emailing me (or any of your other professors, for that matter!) 1. Your email should include the name and number

of the class. 2. Include greetings and SIGN YOUR NAME! 3. Emails should be detailed yet concise. 4. The grammatical and sentence structure should

be appropriate (avoid overusing emoticons, texting, or chat acronyms).

5. The format of any attachments should be either in .pdf, .doc or .docx format.

Accommodating Disabilities Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Career Services/Disability Services at 843-208-8263 as soon as possible. The Career Services/Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation. Please refer to the USCB Student Handbook, the USCB Bulletin, or the USCB web site for more information.

Blackboard Blackboard. You are expected to access Blackboard and make sure that your email address in correct. If you do not, you will miss out on important, and often time sensitive, class updates. Check Blackboard daily! Your grades will be posted on Blackboard. It is your responsibility to double check the grades posted with the grade you received on your assignment/exam. You MUST inform me of any discrepancies within 3 class meetings after posting. Do NOT wait until the end of the semester to verify your grades!

3

ANTHROPOLOGY OF MAGIC AND RELIGION ANTH B352 FALL 2014 DR. CAVANAGH

21

Course Requirements

Attendance Attendance will be taken at the start of each class by means of a sign-in sheet. It is your responsibility to ensure that you sign in every class. If you know you will be absent, it is strongly recommended that you contact me beforehand. USCB requires the regular reporting of student attendance. Any student who does not attend class on a regular basis [more than 3 absences] WILL be subject to a grade penalty. For a clarification of the university's attendance policy; see the appropriate pages in the Undergraduate Studies Bulletin.  

Remember… Attendance means more than just being physically in the classroom. You must also be present mentally. In addition, either turn your cell phone off or turn it to silent mode when in class. Text messaging, web browsing, movie watching, etc. will not be tolerated during class. If you read, sleep, or repeatedly talk during the lecture or films you may be asked to leave class and be marked absent for that day.

Assignments All work is due on the date assigned. I do NOT accept late work without penalty (1pt per day late) unless there is a valid reason for it (such as an accident, major illness, or comparable situation…simply stating that you were ill will NOT be sufficient unless you contacted me beforehand). If you know that you have a conflict with an assignment date (for example, if you are a member of an athletic team at USCB and you will be out of town), please contact me at least ONE WEEK prior to the due date to make alternate arrangements. I do NOT accept assignments via email. If you have absolutely no alternative and cannot submit it by the stated time due to unforeseen circumstances, email me with an explanation. However, do NOT assume that I have received your email until you get a confirmation email from me. We will make arrangements for when and how you should hand in your assignment.

I expect that all written assignments produced outside of class will be completed in a professional manner. This means that each assignment (excluding in-class activities and exams) MUST be typed (12pt font, preferably in Times or Times New Roman), double-spaced, one inch margins, black ink, white paper, use standard capital and small letters, cite sources and quotations (course citation guide available—just ask!), use paragraphs properly, and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of your topic and sources. Papers should be free from spelling errors and grammatical errors (make the most of your word processor program!!). Pages should also be numbered, preferably in the bottom center or top right corner. You will submit assignments as per the directions on the assignment instructions.

Missed Exams

I do NOT give make-up exams. If you miss the mid-term exam, then the grade you earn on the final exam will be counted as double. All students MUST take the final exam. If you miss the final exam, you will receive zero (0%) for it.

4

ANTHROPOLOGY OF MAGIC AND RELIGION ANTH B352 FALL 2014 DR. CAVANAGH

21

Please use these guidelines for all course work.

"A" 90-100%: With Distinction - Exceeds academic standards: Superior application of communication concepts and principles as outlined in readings and exercises. Clearly follows assignment guidelines/requirements. Superb analysis, insight, and thought. No grammatical, spelling, punctuation, format, and/or typographical errors. “B+” 85-89: Superior - Meets academic standards. Work that is quite good. Sometimes, beautifully written and well argued papers that are simply uninteresting. Very few grammatical, spelling, punctuation, format, and/or typographical errors. "B" 80-84%: Very Good - Approaches academic standards: Effective application of communication concepts and principles as outlined in readings and exercises. Follows assignment guidelines/requirements. Approaches effective analysis, insight, and thought. A minimum number of grammatical, punctuation, format, typographical errors. “C+” 75-79: Average. Some application of communication concepts and principles as outlined in readings and exercises. Misses a few assignment guidelines/requirements. Approaches ineffective analysis, insight, and thought. A moderate number of grammatical, spelling, punctuation, format, and typographical errors. "C" 70-74%: Satisfactory - Does not approach academic standards. Most often work in this category is overly simplistic. The student fails to prove his or her argument and support the assertions made in their work. Specific details are avoided in favor of broad generalizations. Often assignments will be mechanically correct, but fail to exhibit the analytical skill necessary for college level work or is structured like a high school paper. Or an assignment may be brilliant, but the writer is mechanically sloppy. Papers with multiple mechanical errors (grammar, punctuation, usage) will never receive higher than a "C." “D+” 65-69: Marginal Pass. Work that shows some effort, originality or potential, but is not of sufficient quality for college-level courses. Most often this grade is received for good papers which do not follow the assignment or thoughtful work which are riddled with mechanical errors. "D" 60-64%: Minimum Pass - Barely meets academic standards. An inconsistent application of communication concepts and principles as outlined in readings and exercises. Misses several assignment guidelines/requirements. Ineffective analysis, insight, and thought. Frequent grammatical, spelling, punctuation, format, and typographical errors. "F" 0-59%: Unsatisfactory - Does not meet academic standards. There is little/no sign of awareness of communication principles/ concepts as outlined in readings and exercises. No comprehensive analysis, insight, and thought. Misses key assignment guidelines and requirements. Frequent and serious grammatical, spelling, punctuation, format, typographical errors. Evident carelessness or failure to complete the assignment according to directions or failure to submit the complete assignment by the due date.

Grading Guidelines

5

ANTHROPOLOGY OF MAGIC AND RELIGION ANTH B352 FALL 2014 DR. CAVANAGH

21

A Note Concerning Plagiarism Don’t do it. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. The University of South Carolina-Beaufort has clearly articulated its policies governing academic integrity. Any deviation from these expectations will result in academic penalties as well as disciplinary action, even a first offense. Each student is expected to be familiar with and follow the requirements of the USCB Honor Code. The honor code states that a student may not cheat on any quiz, examination, or other graded work nor assist another student to do so. Cheating may include, but is not limited to, direct copying of another person’s work, use of unauthorized materials during exams or quizzes, or representing another person’s work as one’s own. Any student who engages in plagiarism will receive an automatic F or failing grade for the course and may be subject to review by the Academic Honor Board. For more information on campus policies see the USCB Student Handbook, the USCB Bulletin and/or the USCB Web site. For additional information see: www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/plagiarism.html The area of greatest potential risk for inadvertent academic dishonesty is plagiarism. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, paraphrasing or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement. I will post a citation guideline on Blackboard for reference. I do not care which format of citation you use; choose one and be consistent. Expectations of the Instructor

I am here to facilitate learning, to answer questions appropriately, to be fair and objective in grading, to provide timely and useful feedback on assignments, to maintain adequate office hours, and to treat you (the students) in a respectful manner. I will respect every student’s perspective, and attempt to balance all perspectives and allow every student a voice. If you feel uncomfortable in class, you can expect me to listen your concerns.

Amending the Syllabus Amendments and changes to the syllabus, including evaluation and grading mechanisms, are possible (although unlikely). The instructor must initiate any changes. Changes to the grading and evaluation scheme must be voted on by the entire class and approved only with unanimous vote of all students present in class on the day the issue is decided. The lecture schedule and reading assignments (daily schedule) will not require a vote and may be altered at the instructor’s discretion. Grading changes that unilaterally and equitably improve all students’ grades will not require a vote. Once approved, amendments will be distributed in writing to all students via Blackboard.

Extra Credit Opportunities There will be opportunities throughout the semester to receive extra credit (up to a possible total of 4 points). These opportunities will be announced in class and via Blackboard. Typically, extra credit opportunities will be in the form of campus lectures, films, or readings and will require a 2-page minimum write up. Exact details of what will be expected will be given with the EC announcement Remember, your final grade is not under my control but rather under YOURS. Complete the readings and assignments on time, attend class, actively take notes (during lectures, films, and readings), ask questions, and have fun and your grade will reflect your effort.

Course Schedule PRIMATES, PEOPLE, AND PREHISTORY

2

Date Topic Readings Notes 8/21 Lets Get Started! What

is Anthropology?

8/26-8/28 Anthropological Research Methods and Ethics

8/26: “Body Ritual Among the Nacerima” by Miner (in class NOT on Blackboard) 8/26: “Fieldwork: Collecting Information” by Salzman, King, Moloney, and Mendoza-Denton (Blackboard) 8/28: “Thinking and Acting Ethically in Anthropology” by Kingsolver (Blackboard)

Last day to add/drop (without “W”) (8/27) Other: Introduce Spiritual Narrative Other: Introduce IRB Training Assignment

9/2-9/4 Anthropological Perspectives on Religion

9/2: Bowen (Ch. 1) 9/4: MM (Eller 1) 9/9: MM (Harris 3)

Labour Day: No Classes 9/1 Film: Strange Beliefs: Sir Edward Evans-Pritchard (52 min) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q9HyONL_10) Other: Introduce Research Paper Other: Spiritual Narrative due (9/9)

9/9-9/16 Understanding ‘Religion’ and Overview of World Religions

9/9: Bowen (Ch. 2 & 3) 9/11: Bowen (Ch. 12) 9/11: MM (Wagner) 9/16: MM (Lee 4)

Film: Around the World in 80 Faiths (59 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzCPg9UwF-4 Other: IRB Training Assignment due (9/11) Other: Ethnography Site Selection paragraph due in class (9/11)

9/18-9/23 Speech, Relics, and Power

9/18: Bowen (Ch.11 and 13) 9/23: MM (Geertz 9) 9/23: Bowen (Ch. 7 & 8)

9/25-9/30

Religion and Healing 9/25: Bowen (Ch. 5) 9/25: MM (Gilmore 30) 9/30: “Spirits, shamans, and nightmare death: Survivor stress in a Hmong refugee” by Tobin and Friedman (Blackboard) 9/30: MM (Fadiman 28)

The Split Horn (56 min) Other: Ethnography Participant Observation Narrative due (9/30)

1

10/2-10/7 Shamanism and Review

10/2: MM (Vitebsky 17) 10/7: MM (Turner 16)

Film: Shamanism: a universal science (39 min) (10/7) Come prepared for peer-driven mid-term review

10/9 MID-TERM Last day to drop classes without a “WF” (10/9)

10/14-10/21

Rites of Passage and Rituals

10/14: Bowen (Ch. 4) 10/14: MM (Turner 11) 10/16: MM (Kapchan 15) 10/16: MM (Myerhoff 13)

Film: Sweating Indian Style: Conflicts over Native American Ritual (57 min) Film: Inside Mecca (60 min) Other: Introduce Rites of Passage Narrative Assignment

10/21-10/30

Witchcraft, Magic, and Sorcery

10/21: Bowen (Ch. 6) 10/28: MM (Gmelch 35) 10/28: MM (Brown 36) 10/30: MM (Luhrmann 33)

Film: High Sheriff, Lowcountry Witch Doctor (30 min) Fall Break: No Classes 10/23-10/24 Other: Ethnography Interview Narrative due 10/30

11/6-11/13

Myth 11/6: MM (Narayan 7) 11/11: MM (Daugherty 10)

Film: The Message of the Myth (58 min) Election Day: No Class 11/4 Other: Rites of Passage Narrative Assignment due (11/13)

11/18

Virtual Religion 11/18: Bowen (Ch. 15)

11/20-11/25

Secularisms and Religions in Modern States

11/20: Bowen (Ch. 16) 11/25: MM (Juergensmeyer 45)

Other: Hand out Take Home Final Exam

12/11 Final Exam Final Exam due (12/11)