Magic, Religion, and Society: An Anthropological Study
( 30 Modules )
Module #1 Introduction to the Course Overview of the course, exploring the intersections of magic, religion, and society from an anthropological perspective.
Module #2 Defining Magic and Religion Examining the complex and often blurry boundaries between magic and religion, and exploring the challenges of defining these terms cross-culturally.
Module #3 Theories of Magic Exploring the major theoretical approaches to understanding magic, including functionalism, structuralism, and post-structuralism.
Module #4 The Anthropology of Religion Introducing the anthropology of religion, including the work of key theorists such as Durkheim, Weber, and Geertz.
Module #5 Magic in Pre-Modern Societies Examining the role of magic in pre-modern societies, including its relationship to politics, economy, and social hierarchy.
Module #6 The Rise of World Religions Exploring the emergence and spread of world religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, and their impact on local magical practices.
Module #7 Syncretism and Hybridity Analyzing the blending of magical and religious practices in colonial and post-colonial contexts.
Module #8 Magic and Power Examining the relationship between magic and power, including the use of magic to consolidate and challenge authority.
Module #9 Religion and Morality Exploring the role of religion in shaping moral codes and values, and the impact on magical practices.
Module #10 Ritual and Performance Analyzing the role of ritual and performance in magical and religious practices, including the use of symbolic objects and bodily practices.
Module #11 Magic and Gender Examining the relationship between magic and gender, including the role of women in magical practices and the gendering of magical knowledge.
Module #12 Magic and the State Exploring the relationship between magic and the state, including the regulation and suppression of magical practices.
Module #13 Magic and Economy Analyzing the economic dimensions of magic, including the commodification of magical goods and services.
Module #14 Magic and Science Examining the relationship between magic and science, including the impact of scientific rationality on magical practices.
Module #15 Magic in Modern Societies Exploring the persistence and transformation of magical practices in modern societies, including the rise of new age and neo-pagan movements.
Module #16 Case Studies in Magic and Religion In-depth examination of specific case studies, such as voodoo in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba, and witchcraft in Africa.
Module #17 Methods in the Study of Magic and Religion Introducing the methodological approaches used in the study of magic and religion, including ethnography, interviews, and content analysis.
Module #18 Ethics in the Study of Magic and Religion Examining the ethical considerations involved in the study of magic and religion, including issues of cultural sensitivity and representation.
Module #19 Magic, Religion, and Globalization Exploring the impact of globalization on magical and religious practices, including the transnational flow of ideas and practices.
Module #20 Magic, Religion, and Identity Analyzing the role of magic and religion in shaping individual and collective identities, including issues of belonging and exclusion.
Module #21 Magic, Religion, and Material Culture Examining the material culture of magic and religion, including the use of objects, images, and spaces in ritual practices.
Module #22 Magic, Religion, and the Body Exploring the relationship between magic, religion, and the body, including the use of bodily practices and the concept of embodiment.
Module #23 Magic, Religion, and Emotions Analyzing the role of emotions in magical and religious practices, including the use of fear, joy, and ecstasy.
Module #24 Magic, Religion, and Space Examining the relationship between magic, religion, and space, including the use of sacred spaces and the concept of liminality.
Module #25 Magic, Religion, and Time Exploring the relationship between magic, religion, and time, including the use of ritual calendars and the concept of eternity.
Module #26 Magic, Religion, and Morality Analyzing the relationship between magic, religion, and morality, including the use of moral codes and the concept of sin.
Module #27 Magic, Religion, and Violence Examining the relationship between magic, religion, and violence, including the use of magic in warfare and the concept of sacrifice.
Module #28 Magic, Religion, and the Environment Exploring the relationship between magic, religion, and the environment, including the use of nature in ritual practices and the concept of eco-spirituality.
Module #29 Magic, Religion, and the Digital Age Analyzing the impact of digital technology on magical and religious practices, including the rise of online ritual communities and the use of social media in religious outreach.
Module #30 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Magic, Religion, and Society: An Anthropological Study career
