William Paterson University of New Jersey Department of Anthropology Shamans Witches & Magic ANTH Winter 12/27/10/ to 12/16/11 Online

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1 William Paterson University of New Jersey Department of Anthropology Shamans Witches & Magic ANTH Winter 12/27/10/ to 12/16/11 Online Kenneth Lumpkin, Instructor cell landline Title of Course and Course Number: Shamans, Witches and Magic, ANTH 350. Credits: 3 Course Description: A course in comparative religion focusing on shamanism and non-western belief systems. Text: Lehmann, Arthur C. and James E. Myer (eds.) Magic, Witchcraft and Religion: An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural. CA: Mayfield Publishing Company Course Prerequisites: None Course Objectives: The primary objectives of this course is to introduce students to the infinitely diverse ways in which groups express the universality of religion. in the process rendering the familiar strange and the strange familiar. The specific objectives under this goal are to provide students with: An understanding of the traditional distinction made between magic and religion The ability to recognize the features common to all systems of belief Awareness of the possible universal functions of religion An understanding of hypotheses dealing with the origins of religion The ability to assess theories explaining the function of religious ritual The ability to identify western and non-western religious specialists 1

2 An understanding of the many faces of shamanism The knowledge to compare and contrast historical and global constructions of witch and witchcraft. The ability to debate the intersection between science and religion The opportunity to utilize research methods/modes of inquiry unique to anthropology Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course students will be able to: Critically think about the distinction between magic, science and religion Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards , 6.1 Discuss the universal and culture specific aspects of religion Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 6.1, 6.3, 6.6 Explicate the underlying assumptions and meanings of their own belief systems Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 6.1, , 9.2 Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical frameworks central to the anthropology of religion and a sensitivity to anthropology s polemic project: the search for human universals and the analysis of human diversity Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards , 6.1, 6.6 Discuss the intersection between religion and social structure Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards Prepare an appropriate research design; conduct appropriate research in the literature of the discipline; formulate thesis statements and argue particular positions Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2, Demonstrate ability to locate and use information from a variety of traditional and electronic sources. Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 5.1, 6.1, 8.1, Demonstrate ability to effectively express themselves in written and oral form and to present information to varied audiences in an organized and effective manner. Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards , 9.1 Demonstrate ability to think critically; integrate knowledge in a coherent and meaningful manner; apply knowledge to new problems or situations; make judgement about the value of information, arguments, or methods. Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 5.1, 6.1,

3 Demonstrate ability to listen to the views of others; acknowledge and respect differences in opinion; work effectively as a member of a group Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 6.2, Demonstrate an awareness of various cultural traditions and recognize the value of diversity and equity in society. Meets the NJ Core Curriculum Standards 6.2, 9.2 Topical Outline of the Course Content including relevant readings: I WEEK I The Anthropological Study of Religion and Magic: The focus of this section is on the anthropological polemic: universality and diversity as it applies to the anthropology of religion, the important distinction between an emic v. an etic perspectives, the universal and diverse features and functions of religion, and the contested distinction between magic and religion. Chap 1, Introduction; Religion, Geertz; Religious Perspectives in Anthropology, Lee. II WEEK II Myth, Symbolism and Taboo: The focus of this section is on how myth, symbolism and taboo play parts in various cultural traditions. Chap 2, An Anthropologist s Reflections on symbolic Usage, Firth; Taboo III WEEK III Religious Specialists and the Many Faces of Shamanism: The focus of this section is on religion specialists with a particular emphasis on traditional and contemporary shamanic cosmology, realities, healing, and ritual. Chap 4, The Shaman, Howells; Dark Side of the Shaman, Brown. MIDTERM: 01/12/2011 3

4 IV WEEK IV Religious Ritual: The focus of this section is on the various ways anthropologists study ritual including categories of ritual, emic and etic perspectives on the efficacy of ritual, the psychological impact of ritual, the relationship between myth and ritual, ritual as cultural text, ritual and hegemony. Chap 3, Betwixt and Between, Turner; Female Circumcision, Gordon V WEEK V Witches and Witchcraft: The focus of this section is on the diverse ways in which witches and witchcraft have been culturally defined through space and time. Emphasis will be placed on: a the nonwestern understanding of witchcraft as represented by the Azande, the western construction of the witch during the Witch Hunt of the 15 th, 16 th, and 17 th century, contemporary wicca and witches and mysogeny. Chap 7, An Anthropological Perspective, Brain; Sorcery and Concepts of Deviance, McPherson VI WEEK VI Religion in a Changing World: The focus of this section is on the decline (?) of traditional religion, fundamentalist movements around the globe, new age spirituality, and the intersection between the cosmologies/religious practices of western and non-western groups. Chap 9, The Ghost Dance Religion, Kehoe; Urban Rastas, Lewis. PAPER DUE! FINAL: 01/16/2011 Suggestions for Teaching Methods and Student Learning Activities: Lecture and discussion with audio/visual aids, online group work, online and independent analysis of written, oral, enacted and visual texts, small ethnographic projects, exploration of the internet on related topics, reports, essays and/or presentations. 4

5 Student Assessment: - Mid-term Exam 25% - Final Exam 25% - Paper 25% - Class Participation and attendance 25% Readings, Texts, Objects of Study: *Lehmann, Arthur C. and James E. Myer (eds.) Magic, Witchcraft and Religion: An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural. CA: Mayfield Publishing Company. Bibliography of Supportive Texts and Other Material: Aveni, Anthony Behind the Crystal Ball: Magic, Science and the Occult from Antiquity Through the New Age. Times Books. Barstow, Anne Llewellyn Witch Craze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts. Pandora. Brauner, Sigrid Fearless Wives and Frightened Shrews: The Construction of the Witch in Early Germany. Amherst: University of MA Press. Clottes, Jean and David Lewis The Shamans of Prehistory: Trance and Magic in the Painted Caves. Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publishers. Evans-Pritchard, EE Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande. Oxford: Claredon Press. Gadon, Elinor The Once and Future Goddess. CA: HarperSan Francisco. Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Culture Halle. American s Working Man Halifax, Joan Shamanic Voices: A Survey of Visionary Narrative. NY: Arkana. Hammerschlag, Carl The Dancing Healers: A Doctor s Journey of Healing with Native Americans. CA: HarperSan Francisco. Harner, Michael The Way if the Shaman. CA: HarperSan 5

6 Francisco. Kleckhefer, Richard Magic in the Middle Ages. Cambridge University Press. Luhrmann, T.M. 19. Persuasions of the Witches Craft: Ritual Magic in Contemporary England. MA: Harvard University Press. Marshack, Alexander Images of the Ice Age, in Archaeology Magazine. Michelet, Jules Satanism and Witchcraft: The Classical Study of Medieval Superstition. Citadel Press Books. Peacock, James and Ruel Tyson,Jr Pilgrims of Paradox. Pinkola-Estes, Clarissa Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Women Archetype. NY: Ballantine Books. Russell, Jeffrey B A History of Witchcraft: Sorcerers, Heretics and Pagans. UK: Thames & Hudson Starkey, Marion The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Inquiry into the Salem Witch Trials. New York: Anchor Books. Shostak, Marjorie. Nisa: The Life and Words of a!kung Woman. Thomas, Keith Religion and the Decline of Magic. NY: Charles 6