Anthropology

220:
Anthropology of Magic,

Witchcra3 and Religion

College of the Canyons Spring 2016: Sec8on 20179 From: 2/8/16-6/1/16
MW 12:30-1:50 PM At Canyon Country Room 503
Oce hours: MW 12:00 -12:30 CCC 510
Table of Contents:
Pg. 1 SLOs, Text, Course Objectives & Office hours
Pg. 2 Grades, Plan & Useful Info.
Pg.3 Calander

Class Information
Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and WitchcraL is a cultural study of dierent religious
ideas, mo8va8ons, and movements. This class will focus on breaking down and poin8ng
out our own ideas about religion as well as how we perceive other cultures that prac8ce a
religion dierent from our own. Anthropology 220 will begin with simple concepts of
religion, then moving onto more in depth concepts such as myths, souls, and the aLerlife.
This course will end with new age religions and how they inuence people today.

Course Objec8ves

SLOs

Upon successful comple8on of this course

you will be able to:

- Explain the concepts of ethnocentrism and

cultural rela8vism and apply these concepts
to understanding contemporary social issues.
- Explain how the terms culture and
worldview are dened and used in
anthropology.
- Explain and dieren8ate between the
dierent ways religion is dened and between
the dierent theore8cal approaches to the
study of religion.
- Explain the func8ons served by various
religious phenomena, both for the individual
and society.
- Explain how religious phenomena, such as
the nature of supernatural beings and
witchcraL beliefs, reect the culture in which
they are found.
- Explain and compare and contrast the basic
concepts of the class including mythology,
symbolism, rituals, specialists, altered states,
magic, divina8on, supernatural beings, and
witchcraL.
- Explain how and why new religious
movements happen.

Compare and
contrast the
anthropological
nature of religion
in society as it
relates to cultural
definitions.
Assess the
cultural changes
in religious belief
systems that
occur as
societies are
affected by
technological
advancement.

Rome Gyes

Class Text;
Stein and Stein The Anthropology of
Religion, Magic and Witchcra7, 3rd ed.
[ISBN: 978-0-205-71811-5]

Grades & Useful

Information
Grading Breakdown & Useful Info
Your grade will be based upon two
exams worth 100 points. In addi8on
to these exams I will give out
classwork, homework, projects that
will add up to 250 points. Class
par8cipa8on is key to the func8oning
of this course. Students will be
expected to abended and have read
the assigned chapters prior to the
class.

90% - 100% A 80% - 89% B

68% - 79% C 60% - 68% D
59% and below F
Make up exams will not be accepted without prior
warning or a doctors note. Late homework and
projects will be deducted 5 points per day missed.

Important Dates:
FULL SEMESTER LENGTH CLASS DEADLINES:
Refund

February 21

Add

February 21

Drop w/o a W

February 21

Pass/No Pass

March 11

Drop w/ a W

May 8

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Ihttp://www.canyons.edu/Offices/DSPS/
Pages/default.aspx
This web site contains valuable information
about the program, eligibility criteria, and
procedures to follow for accessing services.
We have a Hi-Tech Center that offers
adaptive access for students with
disabilities, in addition to tutoring in selected
subjects.
We would like to encourage all students with
disabilities to visit the DSP&S office located
in Seco Hall, Room 103, behind Financial
Aid. We look forward to meeting with you
and assisting you with your educational
needs.
PLAGIARISM AND STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY:

At College of the Canyons, we believe that

academic integrity and honesty are some of the most
important qualities college students need to develop
and maintain. To facilitate a culture of academic
integrity, College of the Canyons has defined
plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Due process
procedures have been established when plagiarism
or academic dishonesty is suspected. At College of
the Canyons, we define plagiarism as follows:
Plagiarism is the submission of someone elses work
or ideas as ones own, without adequate attribution.
When a student submits work for a class assignment
that includes the words, ideas or data of others,
without acknowledging the source of the
information through complete, accurate, and specific
references, plagiarism is involved. This may include
dual submissions of a similar work for credit for
more than one class, without the current instructors
knowledge and approval.
excessive absences.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is a necessity. If you do not drop the class
on time you will receive a grade for the course.
Attendance Policy prior to census date
Students who do not appear on my roster by the census
date will not be allowed to attend the class. Students are
able to add classes via Advanced Add Permit until prior
to the start date.
Once the semester begins, students need an Add Permit
with the instructors signature to add a course. Any
enrolled student who does not attend the first day of
class will be dropped unless they contact me before the
second meeting. Any student who attends the first class
meeting but misses a subsequent meeting during the first
two weeks of the semester will be dropped unless they
contact me before the next meeting.

Links
&
Website
Below are a few websites that will help
you find different events throughout Los
Angeles. I will also let you know about
other upcoming
events
throughout
the semester.

http://
www.thai-la.com/
temple.html

http://
www.ladayofthedead.co
m
http://
reclaiming
la.org/
classesevents/

Tentative Class Calendar

Week

Topic

Readings/Assignments

Class intro & Def, Anthro.

Religion Why?

Syllabus & Class Objectives

Reading: Ch. 1

Ethnocentrism & Examination of

Religious tensions

Finish Ch: 1

Film; The Gods Must be Crazy

Read Ch: 2

Myths, & Cultural Perspectives

Religious Symbols

Read Ch: 3

RitualsRitual Obsevation
Assighnment

Read Ch: 4

Altered States/Holly Rollers

Read Ch: 5

Religious Specialists/Shamans
Magic & Divination

Read Ch: 6
Exam 1

Contagious Magic Exercise

Read Ch: 7

Continue C.M. & Presentations

The Soul

Contagious Magic Representation

50 points

10

Magic & Spells

Read: Ch.8

11

Astrology & Religion

12

Gods & Spirits

Read Ch: 9

13

Divination Project

Divination Project Due

100 points

14

Witch Craft

Read: Ch. 10

15

New Age Religions

Read: Ch. 11

16

New Age Religions

Final Exam