anthropology 100 - CSUF Anthropology - California State University ...

ANTH 305 

This is a colonial illustration of the Pre-Hispanic pyramid at Cholula, Puebla, Mexico with 

a Roman Catholic Church built on top of the pyramid. 

ANTHROPOLOGY 305* 

The ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION 

SPRING 2013 

1/28- 5/17 

Dr. T. Gabany-Guerrero 

757-278-3393 

California State University, Fullerton 

SKYPE ID: Dr.Gabany.Guerrero 

Email: tgabany-guerrero@fullerton.edu 

477E McCarthy Hall, Department of Anthropology 

Office Hours: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. T/Th or by appt. 

Welcome to Anthropology of Religion! 

This course is about HOW to study religious belief and religious systems. The course will 

emphasize religious belief systems found in the Americas including religious systems native to the 

Americas and “world” religions. We will explore these religious beliefs from anthropological 

perspectives of tolerance, respect and non-ethnocentric analysis. We will explore religious belief 

systems through lecture, film, discussion, research, and writing. 

This course satisfies C.3.b. Explorations in the Arts and Humanities and includes writing 

assignments as specified by UPS 411.201. A description of how this course meets the GE learning 

goals is posted on Titanium. 

*This syllabus is subject to revisions, which will be announced in-class and posted on Titanium. The 

course uses a mixed approach, with assignments and exams submitted online. 

TEXTS: 

Additional Readings will be provided as .pdf documents online. Films are a required part of the “reading” 

for this course. Required textbook: (This is the correct format to cite a book in American 

Anthropological Association Format) 

Hicks, David 

2010 Ritual and Belief: Readings in the Anthropology of Religion. 3 rd edition. New York, NY: AltaMira 

Press. 

Professor Gabany-Guerrero 1

ANTH 305 

Syllabus Table of Contents 

1. Office Hours 

2. Titanium MOODLE 

3. Classroom Policies 

4. Emergency Procedures 

5. Texts 

6. Course Requirements and Grading 

7. Late Policies 

8. Quizzes and Exams 

9. Special Needs 

10. Citation Format 

11. Academic Integrity 

12. Class Schedule 

a. Orientation 

b. Module 1 

c. Module 2 

d. Module 3 

e. Module 4 

f. Module 5 

g. Module 6 

h. Module 7 

i. Module 8 

j. Module 9 

k. Module 10 

l. Module 11 

m. Module 12 

13. Assignment Details 

14. Background Course Information: G.E. Requirements. 

Office Hours and Communication 

The best way to reach me is through email. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT (Titanium) MOODLE: 

• In order to be successful in this course you MUST complete the student tutorials about 

how to use Titanium before beginning the course. See the ORIENTATION Module at the 

beginning of the course. 

• Titanium technical questions and problems should be directed to OASIS at 657-278- 

4866 M-F from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. (yes, 2:00 a.m.!), or email oasis@fullerton.edu or call IT at 

(657) 278-7777 OR helpdesk@fullerton.edu. Technical questions are questions like: “I can’t 

view the videos, can someone help me with this?” or “I am not able to view or complete 

assignments or quizzes, how do I do that?” or “My computer won’t play the video, how can 

I fix that?” 

• In the event of technical problems that delay your submission of an assignment, report 

the technical problem to the HELP DESK AND send me an email. The HELP DESK will 

verify that TITANIUM was unavailable during the submission period. 


ANTH 305 

CLASSROOM POLICIES: 

Your respect and courtesy to your professor and colleagues are expected at all times. 

You will be asked to leave the class if any of the following occur: 

• Cell phone use 

• Surfing internet sites with a pc/mac. A pc/mac may be used in the classroom only to take 

class notes. 

• Reading other material, doing crosswords, IMing, texting, etc. 

• Conversations with your colleagues during lecture 

• Inappropriate language 

• Abusive behavior toward colleagues or professor 

Emergency Procedures Notice to Students 

The safety of all students attending California State University Fullerton is of paramount importance. 

During an emergency, it is necessary for students to have a basic understanding of their personal 

responsibilities and the University’s emergency response procedures. In the event of an emergency, please 

adhere to the following guidelines. 

Before an emergency occurs: 

• Know the safe evacuation routes for your specific building and floor. 

• Know the evacuation assembly areas for your building. 

When an emergency occurs: 

• Keep calm and do not run or panic. Your best chance of emerging from an emergency is with a clear 

head. 

• Evacuation is not always the safest course of action. If directed to evacuate, take all of your belongings 

and proceed safely to the nearest evacuation route. 

• Do not leave the area. Remember that faculty and other staff members need to be able to account for 

your whereabouts. 

• Do not re-enter building until informed it is safe by a building marshal or other campus authority. 

• If directed to evacuate the campus, please follow the evacuation routes established by either parking or 

police officers. 

After an emergency occurs: 

• If an emergency disrupts normal campus operations or causes the University to close for a prolonged 

period of time (more than three days), students are expected to complete the course assignments listed 

on the syllabus as soon as it is reasonably possible to do so. 

• Students can determine the University's operational status by checking the University's web site at 

http://www.fullerton.edu, calling the University's hotline number at 657-278-4444, or tuning into area 

radio and television. 


ANTH 305 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING: 

8 QUIZZES (@ 50 points) 400 

Film Critique Research Bibliography 20 

Classroom Discussion (3 @10 points) 30 

Film Critique about Religion 50 

TOTAL 500 

*Proactive Participation means: 

• ABSOLUTELY NO texting or surfing or chatting during class 

• Coming to class prepared to discuss the assigned 

readings 

• Contributing constructively to the discussion of the 

assigned readings 

• Bring your course notebook with notes on readings, your 

assignments, etc. to class. 

Grading Scale: 

98-100 % A+ 95-97 % A 90-94 % A- 

88-89 % B+ 84-87 % B 80-83 % B- 

78-79 % C+ 74-77 % C 70-73 % C- 

68-69 % D+ 56-67 % D 50-55 % D- 

0-49 % F 

LATE POLICIES: 

All Assignments will be posted on TITANIUM under the Week in which they are due as well as under 

the ASSIGNMENTS button. Work is considered late if emailed after midnight on the date due. I will 

deduct 5 points off per day or partial day late. 

QUIZZES or EXAMS: 

The quizzes will consist of objective questions (e.g. multiple-choice) which may cover films, 

readings and lectures. 

Make-up exams will be given only in emergency medical situations. A physician’s note must be 

provided to the professor, and you should contact the professor before the scheduled exam if 

possible. Make-up exams are NOT automatically allowed. Notify the professor in advance of the 

exam if you cannot take the exam at the scheduled time. Make-up exams will be allowed only 

for verifiable and unavoidable reasons like hospitalization of yourself or a family member 

or an accident. If allowed, a make-up exam must be taken within one week of the scheduled test 

date. Grading: See the chart above. 

SPECIAL NEEDS: 

• During the first week of classes, inform me of any disabilities or special needs that you have that 

may require special arrangements related to attending class sessions, carrying out writing assignments, or 

taking examinations. 

• Students with disabilities must document the disability at the Office of Disabled Student Services in 

UH 101, call (657) 278-3117 and communicate via the web http://www.fullerton.edu/disabledservices/ 


ANTH 305 

CITATION FORMAT 

Please take note that all papers and assignments require that you use the Anthropological citation 

format from the American Anthropological Association (www.aaanet.org). The AAA guide is provided as a 

.pdf document for you. University students should be familiar with how to use ENDNOTE, a free 

bibliography software that is available to you through the Pollak Library portal. This online software 

program will assist you with collecting your bibliographic sources AND formatting them in AAA format. 

This is a requirement for your paper. 

• Click on the LIBRARY REFERENCE RESOURCES module in Titanium. A tutorial is provided 

for you about how to access the anthropology databases at Pollak Library and a second 

tutorial is available about how to use ENDNOTE. 

• Do not email the professor about how to use ENDNOTE – CONTACT THE LIBRARY – they 

have 24-7 chat access. 

You are responsible for reading the information and applying the guidelines to ALL written assignments for 

the class. Points will be deducted for incorrect citation format. 

Academic Integrity: 

Students who violate university standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary 

sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the university. Familiarize 

yourself with the academic dishonesty policy in the current student handbook or at 

http://fullerton.edu.senate/PDF/300/UPS300021.pdf 

Violations of the University’s Academic Misconduct policies will not be tolerated. Studying and 

working together is encouraged, but all written assignments MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK. Dishonesty 

includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating 

acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting 

work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with 

the academic work of other students. Fabrication of research data and/or plagiarism will result in a 

grade of “0” for the assignment and will be reported to Judicial Affairs. It is highly recommended 

that you consult the guide on how to avoid plagiarism, which can be accessed at 

http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/judicial/Plagiarism.htm. 

CLASS SCHEDULE 

• The course begins on Monday, 1/28 and ends on Friday, 5/17. The final exam will be held 

online during final exam week: 5/18-5/24. 

• Assigned reading should be done by early in the week, so that you are prepared to complete 

the assignments 

• Each week has several topics, readings and assignments. Films are interspersed throughout the 

semester and film questions will be completed as part of online submissions. 

• Make sure that you have read the entire syllabus and understand all of the requirements for the 

course. A syllabus is a guide for the semester. If any changes are necessary you will be notified 

that a change to the syllabus has been posted. 

• Titanium MOODLE is new for everyone. Modules will be posted one week in advance. 

• R&B refers to the Ritual and Belief textbook 


ANTH 305 

• Each week you are expected to view the online activities listed under Titanium for that week. There 

may be audio powerpoint lectures or specific learning activities for you to complete. 

Spring Semester Holidays: 

Monday, February 18 th , Presidents’ Day – CAMPUS Closed – no online classes 

Saturday, March 30 th – Sunday, April 7 th – SPRING Recess 

ORIENTATION 

Each module contains exercises. 

1/28 – 2/3 

By the end of the Orientation you will be able to: 

• Identify the key objectives of the course 

• Navigate and Complete assignments using Titanium 

• Create a Course Notebook 

View and discuss films: 

1. Ethnocentrism Video 

2. Race: Are We So Different? 

Read the Syllabus 

Make sure that you have read, in detail, the policy with respect to academic honesty, 

understand communication, submission and late policies, and the requirements for 

citations and bibliography. 

Complete Titanium Tutorials: Links are provided for you. Double-check that your computer settings 

are correct and you have all the required free programs downloaded and installed so that you can view and 

complete the assignments. Contact OASIS if you are having technical problems. (See note above on 

“Questions about Titanium.”) 

Create your Course Notebook. I highly recommend that you create a course notebook that follows the 

format provided for you in the Orientation (see online Course Notebook file). Online student learning 

benefits greatly from creating the notebook and using the “Cornell Method of Notetaking” (see online 

information provided for you. 

Take the online survey. 

All of the steps above must be completed by Monday, February 4th. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 1 

By the end of Module 1 you will be able to: 

• Identify the key components of the discipline of anthropology 

• Identify key terms in cultural anthropology 

• Apply the anthropological definitions of race and ethnicity 

• Understand and apply the concepts of ethnocentrism, worldview and cultural relativism throughout this course 

• Identify and eliminate ethnocentric language in your own writing and communication 

2/4- 2/10: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 

Readings: 

Videos: 

1. Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: “Cultural Anthropology” by Kottak (on-line 

readings) 

2. “Race without Color” by Diamond (on-line reading) 

3. “Official Statement on Race” by The American Anthropological Association 

(on-line reading) 

1. Introduction to Anthropology - Faces of Culture 

Assignments: 

1. During each film you should be taking notes. To practice this 

process, answer the questions on the “Race: Are We So 

Different” Film Worksheet. You do not need to submit the 

answers, but answering the questions will prepare you for your first 

quiz. 

2. Discussion group assignments will be made during this week. 

3. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #1 on readings and films. - due 

Monday,February 11th. Each Quiz is worth 50 points. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 2 


2/11- 2/17 

• Define key anthropological approaches to religion. 

• Apply terms from anthropology of religion 

• Identify specific historical perspectives in the analysis of religion (Tylor, Freud, Durkheim) 

• Conduct a library search for an anthropology article about an anthropology of religion topic using Anthropology 

Plus database and save the search using ENDNOTE Web. 

• Understand and apply the anthropology (AAA) citation format to create a bibliography. 

Readings: 

Assignments: 

1. Chapter 3: “Religion” by Kottak (on-line reading) 

2. Perspectives: Readings Introduction, 1-1 and 1-3 in R&B (textbook) 

1. This quiz is heavily focused on mastery of the terminology in the 

anthropology of religion. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #2 on 

readings. - due Monday, February 18th. Each Quiz is worth 50 

points. 

2. Research at the Library on Thursday, 2/16. We will meet in the 

LIBRARY with Dr. Tschabrun: PLS – TBA. 

3. Select a film from the film critique assignment of interest to you 

(Example: Buddhist rituals). The bibliographic research for this 

assignment can help you to build your research for the Film Critique. 

Follow the instructions to select two anthropology articles from the 

Anthropology Plus database searching under the keywords that you 

selected. Create two (2) bibliographic entries in AAA format. If you 

have created your notebook, then use the last section to begin this 

assignment. This assignment takes time and care. Follow the tutorials 

provided for you and contact the LIBRARIAN at least three days before 

the assignment is due (AKA Friday, not Tuesday) if you have questions. 

Submit via Titanium -- due Monday, March 25 th by 11:55 p.m. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 3 


• Recognize the key components of myths and monomyths across cultures. 

• Apply the concept of “worldview” to the study of myths 

• Understand different approaches to the study of myths 

• Analyze the features that myths share cross-culturally and the specific differences that may occur in several cultural 

examples 

• Understand and apply the anthropology (AAA) citation format for written assignments. 

2/18 – 2/24 

Readings: 

1. Myth, Cosmology and Symbolic Classification: Readings 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 in 

R&B (textbook) 

2. “Gilgamesh” from Hero Myths 

Video: 

Assignments: 

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell 

1. Reading Discussion #1: Discuss how the reading “Gilgamesh” 

meets at least two of the requirements for a “hero.” In-class 

discussion. 

2. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #3 - due Monday, 2/25. Each 

Quiz is worth 50 points. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 4 


• Recognize the importance of symbols in religious belief systems 

• Understand the ways that symbols can be interpreted across cultures 

• Recognize alternative ways of conceptualizing time and sacredness 

• Recognize the key components of ritual 

• Identify different types of rituals and rites of passage 

2/25 – 3/3 

Readings: 

1. Ritual: Readings 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3 in R&B (textbook) 

Video: 

Assignments: 

The Popol Vuh, by Patricia Amlin, 62 minutes. 

1. Film Critique Assignment: Select a film from the list to view. View 

the film and take detailed observation notes. Follow the review 

format for the assignment (exactly with the subheadings indicated). 

Include two academic anthropology references about the ritual in 

your review. Due Friday 4/28 before 11:55 p.m. 50 points. 

2. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #4 – due Monday, March 4th. 

Each Quiz is worth 50 points. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 5 


3/4 – 3/10 

• Recognize the characteristics of altered states of consciousness 

• Recognize how altered states of consciousness relate to religious experience 

• Observe and interpret specific examples of altered states of consciousness such as The Holy Ghost People 

• Recognize the key components of magic 

• Identify different approaches to the study of magic 

• Recognize the ways that magic and divination can be studied 

Readings: 

Video: 

Assignments: 

Magic & Witchcraft: Readings 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3 in R&B (textbook) 

Daugherty, “Serpent-Handling as Sacrament” ADDITONAL ONLINE 

READING 

The Holy Ghost People by Peter Adair 

1. Reading Discussion#2: Discuss how the reading “Serpent- 

Handling as Sacrament” helps to explain phenomena associated 

with altered states of consciousness observed in the film The Holy 

Ghost People Due In-Class. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 6 


• Describe the structure of a rite of passage. 

• Explain the concept of liminality. 

• Explain why body modification is a common element of a rite of passage. 

• Explain the importance of rituals in the domain of religion, including how they relate to the previously 

discussed concepts of worldview, myth and symbol. 

3/11 – 3/17 

Readings: 

Video: 

Assignments: 

Practitioners of Ritual: Readings 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 in R&B (textbook) 

Taki Kudo, Shamanic Medium of Tsugaru 

1. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #5 - due Monday, March 17 th . 

Each Quiz is worth 50 points. 

MODULE 7 


• Recognize the ways that death is conceptualized across cultures 

• Compare and contrast specific examples of practices and beliefs regarding death and afterlife. 

3/18 -3/24 

Readings: 

Videos: 

Death: Readings 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 in R&B (textbook) 

AND Body and Mind: Reading 6-2 in R&B 

The Tibetan Book of the Dead 

Assignments 

1. Reading Discussion#3: Discuss how The Tibetan Book of the Dead 

explains the death experience. How does this belief system relate 

to the symbols discussed by Reading 8-2? Due in class. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 8 


• Define gods and spirits and describe the characteristics of each. 

• Describe the characteristics of ancestor worship 

• Explain the meaning of the anthropomorphism in belief systems 

• Explain the differences between ghosts, vampires, and zombies, etc. 

3/25 – 3/29 

Readings: 

Videos: 

Gods, Spirits and Souls: Readings 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 in R&B (textbook) 

Teotihuacan: City of the Gods 

Assignments 

1. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #6 - due Monday,4/8. Each Quiz is 

worth 50 points. 

SPRING BREAK!! 

MODULE 9 


4/8- 4/14 

• Explain the roles of gender and sexuality in religious practices 

• Compare and Contrast gender roles 

• Recognize the specific history of European and New England witchcraft examples 

• Outline the origins and basic beliefs of the Wicca religion 

Readings: 

Videos: 

Assignments 

Gender and Sexuality: Readings 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3 in R&B (textbook) 

AND Body and Mind: Reading 6-3 in R& B 

The Burning Times 

1. Reading Discussion #4: Discuss the religious roles of women as 

presented in The Burning Times. How does this contrast with the 

reading 3-1? due in class. 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 10 


4/15 – 4/21 

• Explain what a revitalization movement is and under what circumstances one is 

likely to occur. 

• Describe the stages of a revitalization movement. 

• Identify the types of revitalization movements and provide an example of each. 

Readings: 

Videos: 

Assignments 

Agents of Change: Readings 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3 in R&B (textbook) 

Ghost Dance Religion 

1. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #7– due Tuesday, 11/13. Each Quiz is 

worth 50 points. 

MODULE 11 


• Compare and contrast new religious movements 

• Discuss religious rights in the U.S. 

4/22 – 4/28 

Readings: 

Religious Movements: Readings 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 in R&B (textbook) 

Videos: 

A Seat at the Table or Jonestown 

Assignments 

Reading Discussion #5: Discuss anthropological perspectives on how “freedom of 

religion” has been interpreted in the United States. Give examples from the readings 

and film, A Seat at the Table. Due in class 


ANTH 305 

MODULE 12 


4/29 – 5/5 

• Back to the Future: How can ethnohistorical research illuminate religious 

studies? 

• Case study comparisons between Christianity, Buddhism and Islam 

Readings: 

Selected pages from 

Johnson, Donald and Jean Elliot Johnson 

2007 Universal Religions in World History: The Spread of Buddhism, 

Christianity and Islam to 1500. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 

Videos: The Buddha:the story of Siddhartha (2010) 

Assignments 

5/6 – 5/12 

Complete Worksheet/Study Sheet in class. 

Readings: 

Selected pages from 

Johnson, Donald and Jean Elliot Johnson 

2007 Universal Religions in World History: The Spread of Buddhism, 

Christianity and Islam to 1500. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 

Videos: 

The Kingdom of Heaven 

Complete Worksheet/Study Sheet in class. 

5/13 – 5/17 

Videos: 

A History of Christianity 

Assignments Complete Worksheet/Study Sheet in class. 

Reading Discussion #6: Compare and contrast the three case studies (Christianity, Islam and 

Buddhism). Give examples of at least two similarities and two differences among the religions 

from the readings (All of Module 12 and films). due in class 

FINAL EXAM: Quiz #8 will cover Modules 11 &12 


ANTH 305 

Detailed Assignment Instructions 

Assignment #1 

Citation and Bibliography Assignment 

• View the online library tutorial posted under Module 1 for the course. 

• Go to the Pollak Library Website for the ANTH 305 course. 

• Following the instructions provided in the tutorial, register in ENDNOTE 

• Search the Anthropology Plus database to identify at least two academic anthropology articles 

using the keywords: 

“religio*” and “solstic*” 

Or “archae*” and “calendar*” 

Or “archeo* and “calendar*” 

NOTE: The * after the word is important in an online search. The * means that any suffix 

after the letter will be included in the search. This provides you with a wider range of 

possible search results. Do not type the quote marks (“”) in your search. 

• Choose two articles of interest to you that pertain to the film you have chosen for your film critique 

assignment. 

• Save the bibliographic records for your two citations in ENDNOTE. 

• Create the citation in American Anthropological Association format. Copy and save your work from 

ENDNOTE to WORD. 

• Proofread your work before submission. ENDNOTE does a great job entering the basic information, 

but computers are not yet human, so you are responsible for double-checking that the citation 

formatting and spelling are correct. Use the AAA Guide. Most citations will be for an article in a 

journal. 

• Submit two bibliography entries in a WORD or .PDF document on Titanium. 

Worth 20 points. 

Example for a Journal Article Bibliographic Entry 

Single-spaced. One line between each bibliographic entry. Listed in alphabetical order by author last 

name. 

FORMAT DETAILS 

Author Last Name, Author First Name 

Year Article Title. Journal Title Volume(Issue):page-to-page. 

Moll, Luis C. 

2000 Writing as Communication: Creating Strategic Learning Environments for Students. Theory into 

Practice 25(3):202-208. 


ANTH 305 

Writing & Critical Thinking Assignment #2 

FILM CRITIQUE FORMAT 

You may choose to critique any of the films on the list below for this assignment. Review the 

requirements of the assignment before viewing the film so that you can take notes to answer the 

questions required for the assignment. Refer to the anthropological concepts covered in your 

textbook and assigned readings (Hicks and Kottak at a minimum). 

Number your responses to answer the questions in the exact order listed below. Follow the format 

exactly. Answer in paragraph format (not bulleted points) within each question. Follow the guidelines 

below for written assignments. Avoid ethnocentric language and commentary. 

BEFORE SUBMISSION 

1. Spell-check, grammar-check and style-check BEFORE submission. (If you do not know how to use 

this feature in WORD, see http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/check-spelling-and-grammar- 

HP010117963.aspx#_Toc289065079) Penalties will be applied for spelling, grammar and style errors as 

this is a class that fulfills the writing requirement for completion of CSUF General Education. 

2. Citations and References 

Use at least two bibliographic citations (in addition to Hicks (2010)), for definitions of basic concepts. No 

encyclopedia or popular magazine or newspaper references will be accepted. All information that is not 

your idea should be cited. Read the citation format requirements. Acceptable styles include: 

• According to Hicks (2010:24) 

• Kottak (2008:24) defines culture as, “definition.” 

• “Quote from an author” (Kottak 2008:24). 

3. Guidelines for all Writing 

• Spell check 

• Avoid using clichés and colloquial expressions 

• Eliminate ethnocentric statements and rephrase 

o 

o 

For example, don't assume that the reader shares your viewpoint 

Using "our" or "we" indicates that an assumption is made by the writer about shared 

culture. As anthropologists in this class, you are being trained to be specific about 

cultural references and not presume shared values or culture with the reader. 

• Avoid passive voice verbs - use active voice verbs 

http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/p.html#passive 

• Avoid ending a sentence with a preposition 

• Avoid split infinitives 

• Check for subject/verb and subject/object agreement 

• Avoid using the word "it" and "thing" - substitute a specific word 

• Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Understand what plagiarism is before beginning your 

assignment. See CSUF guidelines provided in the Orientation materials for the course. 

If the above advice is not familiar to you, you may wish to consult the CSUF Writing Center or the information posted at 

http://www.world-english.org/grammar.htm 


ANTH 305 

Film Critique 

Your NAME: 

Your Course:Section 

Film Title: 

Film Date: 

1. What are the objectives of the film? (About 100 words) 

2. What religion did you focus on in the film. Remember that multiple religions may be present. 

Describe the belief system that you have chosen to focus on in the critique (use bibliographic sources 

to support your statements). (About 200 words) 

3. What historical period does the film cover? (One paragraph = minimum 3 sentences) 

4. What "big questions" does the film attempt to address? (About 100 words) 

5. What anthropological concepts are addressed in the film? (Refer to Kottak and Hicks readings) 

(About 100 words) 

6. What anthropological concepts do you believe should have been addressed in the film? (About 

100 words) 

7. How does the film show religious ritual? Give at least 1 descriptive example using details from the 

film. (About 300 words) Answer each subquestion in order. 

a. type of ritual – describe (use information from Hicks (2010), other course readings and bibliographic 

sources to support your writing) b. ritual processes – describe in detail (describe exactly what you 

observe using non-ethnocentric language c. people involved in the ritual - describe in detail – how is 

gender depicted? Age – is this an intergenerational ritual? Ethnicity? (Remember that anthropologists 

use the category of ethnicity rather than race (race is culturally constructed.) 

8. Conclusions: Provide your assessment of the film’s depiction of the religious ritual. Was there a bias 

in the film’s description? Support your response. What do you think the filmmakers could have done to 

more accurately or ethnographically represent the ritual? What did you learn from observing this 

depiction and reading the bibliographic sources? How did this help you to better understand the 

diversity of religious rituals? 

(About 300-400 words) 

9. Bibliography – List your bibliographic sources in alphabetical order (Last name of author), singlespaced, 

using AAA format. Do not provide annotations. All sources should have been cited from your 

writing above. 


ANTH 305 

Film Critique Choices 

You may choose any of the following films (provided for you online - hyperlinked) to create your critical review 

(based on the criteria for the assignment). 

Start your search for bibliographic sources for the film related to two topics: 1) historical context of the film; 2) a 

ritual, ceremony or religious practice of one of the ethnic or religious groups displayed in the film. Select the two 

sources (must be anthropological sources) from the Anthropology Plus database. The films are in no special order. 

Popol Vuh 

The Mission 

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee 

Smoke Signals 

The Burning Times 

Rastafari 

Haro Hara Pilgrimage 

A Seat at the Table 

Saints and Spirits 

Voodoo and the Church in Haiti 

Jainism 

Skakti 

Three Sovereigns for Sarah 

Tibetan Book of the Dead 

Eduardo the Healer 

Senhora Apreciada 


ANTH 305 

Background Course Information for Anthropology of Religion 305 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: “Prerequisite: completion of General Education Category III.B.2. Beliefs and 

practices in the full human variation of religious phenomena, with an emphasis on primitive religions. 

The forms, functions, structures, symbolism, and history and evolution of religious systems.” 

This class is about the varieties of religious practices, symbolism and beliefs studied through the lens 

of anthropology. Cross-cultural techniques in anthropology provide tools to study the religious 

practices and beliefs from a wide variety of human experience. The course includes theory, approaches 

to the study of religion, and examines the diversity of religious practice and experience throughout 

history. Readings and discussion will include myth, ritual, symbols, shamans, native revitalization and 

millennialism. The course will take a geographical approach using examples from many cultures and 

focus a bit more on examples from the Americas. The learning experience will incorporate lectures, 

film, personal or field experience, group presentation, the internet and library research. As this course 

works to develop skills in analysis of religious belief and practice, religious activities will be viewed as 

forms of social and cultural expression within the context of history and culture. Utilizing a nonethnocentric 

approach, the course will explore the varieties of religious belief and experience in the 

spirit of respect, free inquiry and critical thinking. 

General Education: 

This course has the objective of improving your reading, writing, listening and interaction skills in 

concert with the university’s General Education goals for “Implications, Explorations, and Participatory 

Experience in the Arts and Humanities.” It also fulfills the Cultural Diversity requirement. The 

following comes from the University Catalog: 

Courses in III. B. 3. Implications, Explorations, and Participatory Experience in the 

Arts and Humanities include the following goals for student learning: 

1. To understand broad, unifying themes in the arts and/or humanities from cross-disciplinary 

perspectives. 

2. To solve complex problems that require artistic or humanistic understanding. 

3. To relate the arts and/or humanities to significant social problems or to other related disciplines. 

4. When deemed appropriate, to apply disciplinary concepts 

from the arts and/or humanities in a variety of settings, such 

as community-based learning sites and activities. Cultural 

diversity goals are: 

1. To understand that culture is socially constructed and fundamental to social interaction. 

2. To appreciate the complex relationships that gender, ethnicity and class bring to a discussion of 

society and culture. 

3. To understand that because we live in an inter-connected world, we need to understand the 

diversity and relationships within and among cultures. 

4. To recognize and evaluate how one's cultural history affects one's sense of self and relationship to 

others. 

Students will ideally master the following specific course objectives in ANTH 305: 

1. Understand and appreciate the concept of culture, from the perspective of anthropologists, 

as anadaptive mechanism that provides for survival of the human species. 

2. Identify similarities that unite the human species and variations in human cultures. 

3. Recognize and appreciate that there are a wide variety of “cultural solutions” to living on 

Earth. 

4. Analyze the specific relationships between culture, the individual and history. 


ANTH 305 

5. Recognize theoretical approaches to studying religious experience. 

6. Learn and apply the meanings of the basic concepts and terms used by cultural 

anthropologists. 

7. Apply some of the procedures used by anthropologists in studying cultures and religion. 

(Adapted from Faces of Culture Study Guide, 1999)

anthropology 100 - CSUF Anthropology - California State University ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?