Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft

Catalog description

From their earliest history, human cultures have expressed beliefs in the supernatural and in the ability of human beings to communicate and interact with unseen beings, powers, and force. This course explores the evolution of religious practices, including magic and witchcraft. It examines the commonalities they share and the fascinating array of variations across a wide spectrum of cultures and societies. A holistic anthropological approach to the subject highlights the interconnections between interactions with the supernatural and social structures, economies, political systems, the arts, and symbolic expression.