Assignment 2- Due March 18th 11:59 PM

Option 1
• Rites of Passage – In class, we learned that transitional moments in an individual’s life are
often accompanied by rituals called rites of passage. Rites of passage can be secular or
sacred/religious. For this assignment, you must identify and discuss one rite of passage in
your culture or group (e.g. age group, ethnic group, religion, etc.) that you identify with.
This should be a rite of passage that you have either experienced or
witnessed. In your essay/presentation you must, answer the following questions: briefly
describe the rite of passage that you experienced or witnessed. What was this experience
like, and how did it transform your status (or the status of others)? Discuss how well this
rite of passage fits (or does not fit) the stages of a rite of passage discussed in your text and
in class. Was this rite of passage secular, religious, or both? In addition
to course material, you MUST also include the 2 scholarly source that discusses rites of
passage. You may also choose to include NO MORE THAN 2 non-scholarly sources that
discuss a similar rite of passage. PLEASE NOTE, these 2 non-scholarly sources cannot
replace the 2 mandatory scholarly sources. These are optional sources that you may use
to enhance your paper/presentation.
Assignment 2- Due March 18th 11:59 PM
Option 2
Religion and Politics:
• Religion and Politics - Recently we have seen how doctrine and religious thought can entrench itself within
our everyday lives. Pick 1 recent example (i.e., within the last 10 years) of religious doctrine influencing
political/social structures. Some examples may include the repeal of Roe V Wade in the United States,
Quebec's Laicity Act, etc. When selecting your topic consider the historical and social factors and the impact
that this has on our everyday lives. Remember this is not a critique of the religion but a chance to examine
complex issues though an anthropological lens. Topics to consider here are religious nationalism, political
sociodramas, structural violence, and social activism. In addition to course material, you MUST also include
the 2 scholarly sources that support your argument.
Assignment 2 format:
• a. 20-25 slide PowerPoint (include academic info and citations), with notes included in the
“notes” section of the PowerPoints. Your 20-25 slides should include a title page with your
name as well as a 1-2 slide bibliography of relevant sources in APA format. All citations should
be in APA. In the “Notes” section, include brief summaries/explanations for each slide (about
50-70 words for each slide – no need, of course, to do this for the title page/references).
OR
• b. A standard research paper totalling between 1000 and 1500 words, not including your
References Cited page.

In both cases You must cite all relevant course material. This includes readings, films, and
textbook. DO NOT ONLY CITE LECTURES. In addition, you must use 2 external scholarly
sources. You may also choose to include 2 additional non-scholarly sources however these cannot
be your primary sources. This means that most of your citations should be your 2 external
scholarly sources, and course material.
• Grading Rubric:

• Bibliography /5
all sources listed alphabetically by author last name
-all sources in proper APA format
-all sources cited in your work must be listed in Ref. Cited

• In Text Citations /10

-in-text citations in proper format
-all works cited appropriately, and all work paraphrased properly
-no citations missing
-appropriate use and placement of citations
-no endnotes/footnotes

• Content /25
-key terms/ideas outlined and defined in anthropological terms (ie. Do not use Wikipedia, encyclopedias, etc.) throughout paper/presentation
-all opinions are INFORMED opinions supported by evidence.
-choices of articles are relevant to question
-evidence of critical thinking
-student shows evidence of having done readings thoroughly and closely by integrating relevant examples, etc.
- USE OF COURSE MATERIAL – you must cite relevant class material, and this includes (where relevant) the textbook, supplementary films shown
during class, links on syllabus, etc. ****** Lectures – standard practice in academia is to only cite lecture material if the professor discusses
something that is not in course readings. As such, marks are deducted if you only cite lectures and not the text as it will appear that you haven’t
done the readings (and it is also improper format). Lectures should be cited sparingly (if at all)

• Style and Organization /10

-no grammatical problems
-no spelling errors
-no redundant/repetitive writing
-thesis/flow is clear
-writing style/presentation is clear, eloquent, and concise

• Total 50 points divided by 2 = x/25

Strange Beliefs - Sir
Edward Evans-
Pritchard
What were some of the key points of the film?
Why do we travel to study other societies?
Snake
Handling
https://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cwBVcsWYJd8
Other ways of explaining our
experiences:

Magic – people’s attempts to

manipulate supernatural forces
and beings to act in certain
Science ways. Frazer was the first
anthropologist to discuss the
distinction between religion and
magic.
MAGIC AND RELIGION

• TYPES OF MAGIC:
Imitative magic
Contagious magic
Magic and
Religion
George Gmelch, “Baseball Magic”
Magic does not worship or pay
respect to religious deities, etc.,
it USES THEM
Magic can involve RITUALS,
TABOOS (eg. no crossing bats),
FETISHES (ordinary objects
associated with “good luck” or
special powers - almost always
associated with pitching and
hitting, and not fielding
Legitimacy and
Political Rule
• Perception that an individual has a valid right to
leadership.
• May be non-religious (e.g. Nazi German,
Soviet Union) or backed by supernatural beliefs
(Monarchs, Pharaohs, Incan).
• Democratic forms of government, legitimacy rests
on the consent of the governed in periodic elections
• “Basically, it was the pastor that was supporting President Trump. Especially after he got
elected, they screw and twist scriptures. Like, honour of those in authority and they make
it to where it's more than just honouring someone. Don't question me because God placed
me and authority. So even though I had doubts it was like, well, but this person is more
spiritually mature than me. You know? They hear from God, more than me. So, I'm just
going to trust them because I'm a very spiritual person.”
Secularism
• The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions.
• Religion should not be involved with ordinary social or political activity.
• Relies on naturalistic considerations.
• Examples of secular institutions: Canada, the United States etc.
• But are they really secular?
• E.g. President is sworn in on a Bible.
• “One nation under God”
Can secularism be ethnocentric?
• Stated goal – secularism equated with
multiculturalism so that no religious tradition is
foreground or privileged over others…
• But…does this really happen?? Eg. Canadian
culture/laws/justice system is predicated upon
Judeo-Christian notions of morality.
• Problem with secularism – religion and religiosity
= primitive, uncivilized, not modern,
undemocratic, and adherents labeled as Others
Religious nationalism:
• “…an ideology that combines traditional
religious beliefs in divine law and authority with
the modern notion of the nation-state.”
Stages in development of religious
nationalism:
1) Despair over secular nationalism – “disaffection with the culture of
the modern West” – notions of individualism, secularism,
democracy, and capitalism; critiques of colonial exploitation, and
eager to hasten decolonization.
2) Morality stems from Religion = Loss of religion means loss of
morality.
 2) “Religionizing” politics.
How?
1) show that political difficulties have a
Stage 2 religious cause, and;
2) that religious goals have political
solution.
 Are revitalization movements –
perceived crisis of existing “order,”
emergence of charismatic leader,
SOME desire for territorialization,
revitalization of “ancient ways”
religious
nationalisms: But often, a new religion is formed
Anthony Wallace and Revitalization
Movements
• Religions begin as Revitalization movements – “Deliberate, organized,
conscious efforts by some members of society to create a more
satisfying culture.”
• Often occur as a result of stress: War, Famine, Colonialism etc.
• The assumption is that by bringing back “old ways” and blending them with
new ideas, it will be possible to return to a sense of statis, harmony, etc.
• Involve SYNCRETISM (blending of spiritual beliefs and traditions from
two or more cultural traditions
What are
some
examples?
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.”

• “Whereas Canada is founded upon

principles that recognize the supremacy
of God and the rule of law:”
Socio-Drama
• Adopted from Victor Turners concept of
Social Drama
• Means of studying political action and
acquisition of power (Kertzer 1987)
• Hybrid Term Socio-Drama
• U.S. Election cycle- “the greatest
political sociodrama and the most
elaborate competitive use of ritual in
American politics” (Kertzer 1987, pg.
108).
Ritualized Acts of Remembrance
• Reinforcing a certain behavior
• Visualizes collective memory of certain events
• Creates a means of participation that strengthens
one’s membership to a social group.
• Reinforces and affirms a political narrative and/or
agenda.
The Sacred within
Historical
Narratives
• The “Sacred” is capable of
ascribing meaning to ordinary
events.
• Alters our understanding of
history.
Malta’s History
5200 First known inhabitancy
1530 Knights Of St. John

BC 1565 The Great Siege of Malta by the

Ottoman Turks
800 Phoenician colonisation
1566 Founding of Valletta
BC
French Occupation
480 Carthaginian domination
BC 1798 Napoleon Bonaparte takes Malta from the Knights

218 Roman domination 1799 Britain takes Malta

BC
1814 British Occupation
395 Byzantine domination
AD 1914-
1918 World War 1
870 Arabs occupy Malta
AD 1919
Sette Giugno riots against British Rule
1090 Normans occupation 1939
AD -1945 World War II
1194 Swabian occupation Modern Malta
AD 1964 Independence within British Common
1266 Angevins occupation Wealth
AD 1974 Malta Becomes A Republic
1283 Aragonese occupation
AD
How Does The Sacred Provide Meaning?
St Paul’s
Cathedral
GirlsDefined
Clips
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssah7i9FWNA – 17:48
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtK0QIfsCMI&t=1512s- 22:23