Syllabus: Anthro 121

Course Information:

-       Discipline: Anthropology

-       Course Number: 3028

-       Title: Anthropology of Religion, Magic and Witchcraft

Instructor Information:

-       Name: Erin J Moran

-       Office hours: 6:25 pm – 6:50 pm

-       Phone Ext: x 4689

-       Email: MoranE@lamission.edu

-       Office location:

Semester: Fall 2012
Time: 6:50pm -10:00pm, Wednesday

Location: CMS 004

Overview of the Class: 

This class is designed to help you gain understanding and experiential learning in an anthropological approach to the study of the supernatural.  Anthropology is the study of the human experience through time and across geographical space. Anthropologists use many different approaches to understand why and how belief systems differ, how they are similar, and how they change over time. This course is an survey course of the key concepts, terms, and ideas in the anthropology of religion, magic, and witchcraft, a specialization within the field of cultural anthropology. We will be using the case-study method to understand “culture” from a holistic, comparative, and global perspective. We aim not to learn facts about belief systems, but to cultivate a particular way of thinking about the world, the supernatural, and our assumptions about it. A requirement for this course with an open and questioning mind; students come to class with their own beliefs and practices in regards to religion and the supernatural. To successfully achieve an anthropological perspective you will need to adopt an open-mindedness and curiosity about other’s beliefs and practices. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will compare and contrast religion & belief systems within the context of culture.

1. Advisory Prerequisite: English 28 or ESL 8

• Students can also expect to:

1. Comprehend the breadth and depth of the anthropological study, methods, and knowledge of the supernatural and religion.
2. Recognize and apply the role of the study of the supernatural in anthropology’s holistic study of humankind.
3. Think critically about systems of magic, witchcraft, and religion from the past and the present and from societies around the world. 
4. Recognize and identify supernatural beliefs and practices in cultural settings with respect to the role of the material world and social systems. 
5. Apply critical thinking skills in regards to the study of supernatural beliefs and practices in the United States and in cultures around the world. 
6. Develop a more thorough understanding of how the belief in supernatural forces affect daily life, change, and conflict on local and global scales.
7. Develop reading, writing, and collaborative study skills- life skills!

Required Readings:

Stein, Rebecca L. and Philip L Stein. The Anthropology of Religion, Witchcraft, and Religion. Second Edition. Boston MA, Pearson Education. 2008.

Assignments, Quizzes and Exams:

Participation                                                                         10 %

Daily Quizzes                                                                        10 %

Exercise #1                                                                                5 %

Exercise #2                                                                        10 %

Belief System Research Project

            Proposal                                                           10 %

            Research Essay                                                    15 %

Midterm #1                                                                            10 %

Midterm #2                                                                            15 %

Total                                                                                  100 %

Day/Date/Time of Final Exam:

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 @ 6:50pm – 10:00 pm

Active Attendance:

Success in this course requires what I call “active attendance.” This involves more than showing up for class each day. Students are expected to participate productively and thoughtfully in classroom discussions and group work. In addition, we will regularly start class with short writing assignments. These writing activities are geared toward three important things: (1) eliminating students’ fear of writing by making it routine; (2) enabling students who are less vocal in class to share their ideas; and (3) making sure that we’re all staying on top of the reading each week. In-class writing assignments will not be announced in advance. They will form a large portion of your “active attendance” grade.

Assignment #1: Supernatural Research Paper

Your final project will be a research paper on some aspect of the supernatural. You will research and write about one of the belief systems we have examined in class that intrigues you, or you may chose a one that you know of and want to learn more about. You will also identify and write about a particular issue, challenge, or change that the belief system is experiencing.

(a) A one-page proposal that explains what belief system you will research, what sources you will use, what issues the belief system faces, and how it fits into this class.

(2) Research essay describes the belief system that you have researched, the issue that you have identified, and they way that these issues relate to class.You will incorporate the concepts and theories that we cover in the class, and you will locate your discussion in a particular social and historical context. 4-5 pages long, typed, double-spaced, standard margins, 12 point.

Quizzes:

Daily quizzes are meant to test your understanding of the readings and to job your memory.  

Midterm Exams and Final:

Three exams will be given during the semester. Exams are not cumulative, but only cover material (readings, lectures, discussions, and films) between the exam dates. However, you will need to understand the main concepts from the first half of the course in order to succeed on the final exam. Prior to the exam, a review sheet will be distributed. Exams are multiple choice and short essay.

Classroom Policy:
Course Requirements - Your continued enrollment in this course confirms that you have read this syllabus and that you have agreed to the course schedule and requirements that I have laid out here. All students are therefore expected to fulfill ALL of the requirements for the course that I have outlined. It is my policy NOT to grant extensions. You may opt to hand in an assignment late; 20% of the total grade will be deducted each day.

Classroom conduct:

At all times, the classroom environment must be one of respect for conflicting viewpoints and opinions. I encourage active debate and exploration of complex issues. In order to do this, we all must work to make our classroom community a supportive and inclusive one. Please refrain from using cell phones (for both calls and text messages) during class. Cell phones should be set to “silent” before you come to class each week. If there is an emergency and you MUST use your cell phone, please excuse yourself and take the call outside.

Communication policy:  

I do my best to answer student emails promptly. Please be aware, however, that I cannot respond immediately. Generally, you can expect a reply from me within 24 hours. I will not answer emails after 7pm.

Grading Policy:

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:

Please note that any student found engaging in either cheating on exams or plagiarizing papers will receive an F as the final grade in this course and will be referred to campus administration for further disciplinary action. Exams and papers must be the student’s own work! Proper citations must be incorporated in your papers whenever utilizing outside sources.

Policy on Request for Grade Changes:

It is the job of the TAs and myself to evaluate your progress in this course. Your grade is based on our level of satisfaction with your work for this class. Grade changes will only be made in the event that an actual error has occurred. A student’s grade will not be changed simply because a student feels that “I deserved a higher grade” or “I worked very hard and should have received a better grade.” Grades are the prerogative of the class professor and TAs and are not negotiable.

If you feel that your midterm essay or course paper grade is in error, then you need to submit a written statement clearly stating the reason why you believe your grade is in error. This statement needs to be submitted within one week of posting of the score to your TA or the professor.

Attendance and Absence Policies:

Attendance Policy:

Daily attendance is a requirement in this course. Attendance will be taken daily at the beginning of class and your attendance will be reflected in a portion of your final grade. It is your responsibility to arrive before attendance is taken in order for your presence to be recorded.

Policy on Missed Classes:

You are allowed a maximum of 3 absences during the semester. Your absences do not need to be excused, but if you miss more than three classes you will be in danger of being dropped from the course. Students with medical emergencies are required to show a note from their physican.

It is the students’ responsibility to get notes from a classmate if she or he misses a lecture. I do not send notes via emails or give notes to students who missed any lectures. You may want to make sure you have a “buddy” in the class to get notes from if you ever have to miss class.

Assignments: