Gaining knowledge about the varieties of religious experience and practices in the contemporary world is an essential aspect of understanding modern societies. This unit covers some of the core themes of the anthropology of religion and introduces students to a wide range of contexts in which we can study the religious. Topics include: the sacred and the secular; pilgrims, relics and tourism; Christianity and saints in the Western world; magic, sorcery and religion in Melanesia; myths and legends around the world; revitalisation movements and cargo cults; issues and debates in the study of Islam; spirit possession; music, song and emotions; and more. Students are also introduced to the... -- Course Website
Instructor: Dr Deborah Van Heekeren, Dr Gabriele Marranci
