Magic, Witchcraft and Religion

Catalog description

Three lecture. 0 Anthropology of religious practices employed by both western and non-western people in dealing with adversity, misfortune, illness, life cycle rituals, and similar phenomena beyond human control. Students will be able to: describe the major theories regarding the origin of religion; define magic, myth, ritual, and symbol and describe their functions within the context of specific cultures; identify the major forces of religious change and innovation within various cultural contexts; explore the diversity of sickness and healing systems and the various practitioners that respond to illness; analyze religious structures in the context of social control and social harmony; explore selected culturally specific belief systems from a holistic perspective; describe the diversity and complexity of various life cycle rituals worldwide. General Education: Social and Behavioral Sciences