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

ANTH 305:51 17925 FALL 2013
This is a colonial illustration of the Prehispanic pyramid at Cholula, Puebla, Mexico with a
Roman Catholic Church built on top of the pyramid.
ANTHROPOLOGY 305*
The ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION
FALL 2013
8/26-12/20
Dr. T. Gabany-Guerrero
657-278-3393
California State University, Fullerton
477E McCarthy Hall, Department of Anthropology
SKYPE ID: Dr.Gabany.Guerrero Office Hours: 11:30-1:00 p.m. T/Th or by appt.
Email: tgabany-guerrero@fullerton.edu
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 and posted on Titanium. The course
assignments and exams are 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.
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Office Hours and Communication
Note: The best way to reach me is through email.
• All emails must have Anth 325 in the Subject line; please sign with your real name.
PUT your LAST NAME in the DOCUMENT NAME for all assignments OR documents you submit AND MAKE sure
that your name is at the top of each assignment document you submit.
COURTESY and RESPECT: Be respectful and courteous with the professor and your colleagues.
Office hours and communication will not be available on the following university holidays: Monday,
September 2nd, Labor Day - Monday, November 11 th , Veterans’ Day - Saturday – Sunday, November 25 th –
December 1 st .
In addition, as a professor at CSUF, it is part of my responsibility to attend professional conferences to
present research. I will be attending the national annual meeting of the American Anthropological
Association from 11/20-24.
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.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:
Orientation Exercises 10
8 QUIZZES (@ 50 points) – includes final 400
Bibliography Assignment 20
Classroom Discussion (2 @20 points) 40
Film Critique about Religion 50
TOTAL 520
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-
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0-49 % F
LATE POLICIES:
All Assignments will be posted on TITANIUM under the Week in which they are due. 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 Disability Support Services in
UH 101, call (657) 278-3117 and communicate via the web http://www.fullerton.edu/DSS/
CITATION FORMAT
Please take note that all papers and assi gnments 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.
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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. I highly recommend 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
• 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.
• Modules will be posted one week in advance, but you have the entire course syllabus and should
prepare based on the syllabus schedule.
• R&B refers to the Ritual and Belief textbook
• 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.
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ORIENTATION
Each module contains exercises.
Week 1:
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 take notes on the films:
1. Ethnocentrism Video
2. Race: Are We So Different?
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.
Assignments:
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
writing, in-text citations and bibliography.
Orientation Activities: Open and read all items in the folders provided for you.
There is a place for you to check-off completion in the Module. Grading is not
automatic for this exercise. Expect your 10 points, two to three weeks after you
complete the assignment.
• 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.”). As you complete each orientation item, you can
“check off” the item in Titanium. This is how I will know that you have completed the Orientation
exercises for 10 points.
• 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. A link will be emailed to you during the first week of classes.
All of the steps above must be completed by Tuesday, September 3rd.
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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
Week 2: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Readings:
Videos:
Assignments:
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
2. Discussion group assignments will be made during this week.
Introduce yourself to your colleagues.
For the first graded discussion, review the discussion rubric
which requires two postings, one original and one response to
a colleague. Citations are required (from your textbook and
readings) in your original response. Spelling and grammar do
count, so I suggest that you write your response in WORD,
correct the problems and then copy and paste the responses
into the Discussion Forum. Postings earlier in the week count
for more credit than last minute (day it is due) postings.
3. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #1 on readings and films. - due
Monday, 9/9 before 11:55 p.m. Each Quiz is worth 50 points. The
quizzes only permit you to navigate forward; you cannot return to a
previous question.
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MODULE 2
By the end of Module 2 you will be able to:
•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.
Week 4
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. Complete the library tutorial video by Tuesday, 9/17. Contact Dr.
Tschabrun (email: stschabrun@fullerton.edu) at the Pollak Library if you
have questions about how to conduct the library research.
2. This quiz is heavily focused on mastery of the terminology and
specific scholars’ perspectives about the anthropology of religion.
Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #2 on readings. - due, 9/23.
Each Quiz is worth 50 points.
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 and select two anthropology articles from the
Anthropology Plus database searching under the keywords that you
selected. You must include at least one source for the culture selected
and a second source should be about the event or ritual covered in the
film. No internet general sources or encyclopedias (Wikipedia) will be
accepted.
Create two (2) bibliographic entries in AAA format. If you have
created your notebook, then use the last section to begin this
assignment. Thi s assi gnment takes ti me and care. Follow the
tutorials provided for you and contact the LIBRARIAN at least three
days before the assignment is due if you have questions. Submit via
Titanium -- due Monday, 10/14 th by 11:55 p.m.
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MODULE 3
By the end of Module 3 you will be able to:
•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.
Weeks 5-6
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.” See the
grading rubric for discussion postings. 20 points.
Original post due by Due 9/30. First responses to
colleagues are due 10/2. Final posts are due 10/4.
2. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #3 - due Monday, 10/7. Each
Quiz is worth 50 points.
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MODULE 4
By the end of Module 4 you will be able to:
Week 7
•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
Readings:
Video:
Assignments:
1. Ritual: Readings 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3 in R&B (textbook)
The Popol Vuh, (Click on the link to view) by Patricia Amlin, 62 minutes. Optional
link to the text of the Popol Vuh (English, Spanish and Quiché).
The Rise and Fall of a Civilization is a new National Geographic film that
is not required, but may help you to understand the context of the Maya
civilization.
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 Monday 11/18 before 11:55 p.m. 50 points.
2. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #4 – due Monday, 10/28.
Each Quiz is worth 50 points.
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MODULE 5
By the end of Module 5 you will be able to:
Week 8
•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
Reminder Bibliography Assignment Due
MODULE 6
By the end of Module 6 you will be able to:
Week 9
• 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.
Readings:
Video:
Practitioners of Ritual: Readings 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 in R&B (textbook)
Taki Kudo, Shamanic Medium of Tsugaru
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MODULE 7
By the end of Module 7 you will be able to:
• Recognize the ways that death is conceptualized across cultures
• Compare and contrast specific examples of practices and beliefs regarding death and afterlife.
Weeks 10 -11
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#2: 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? 20 points, 11/4
Original Post Due, 11/6 First Response to Colleague Due,
11/8 Final Responses Due.
2. Complete Multiple Choice Quiz #5 – due Tuesday, 11/12.
Each Quiz is worth 50 points.
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MODULE 8
By the end of Module 8 you will be able to:
• 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.
Weeks 12-13: Veteran’s Day Reminder
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,12/2. Each Quiz is
worth 50 points.
Week 14 Fall Recess!
MODULE 9
By the end of Module 9 you will be able to:
Week 15
• 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:
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
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MODULE 10
By the end of Module 10 you will be able to:
• 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.
Week 16
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 Monday, 12/9. Each Quiz is
worth 50 points.
MODULE 11
• 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.
Assignments
Videos: The Buddha:the story of Siddhartha (2010) The Kingdom of Heaven, A
History of Christianity
Worksheet/Study Sheets should be completed on your
own for each film to prepare for the final exam
FINAL EXAM will cover Module 11
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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.
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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)
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