Anthropology of Religion, Symbolism and Ritual
Code: 107242Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | OB | 2 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Virginia Fons Renaudon
- Email :
- virginia.fons@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives
The module is taught in the second semester of the second year of the undergraduate degree, following Economic Anthropology and Anthropology of Kinship (in the first semester) and alongside Political Anthropology (in the same semester), which together form the module 'Classical Fields of Anthropology'. It aims to develop anthropological theory and to analyze cultural diversity in religion, ritual, and symbolic-cognitive systems. It also focuses on applying disciplinary knowledge in these fields to the identification and study of contemporary sociocultural reality, particularly the analysis of current rituals. Its aim is therefore to critically examine certain assumptions, concepts, and theories related to these fields of knowledge for the interpretation of worldviews and the symbolic and ritual dimensions. At the same time, it provides a methodology for in-depth analysis and ethnographic interpretation of the realities surrounding us.
Learning outcomes
- CM13 (Interpret social and cultural patterns using a variety of analytical and theoretical perspectives from classical fields.) Interpret social and cultural patterns using a variety of analytical and theoretical perspectives from classical fields.
- CM14 (Evaluate ethnographic case studies from the classical fields of anthropology in relation to local, global and broader historical developments.) Evaluate ethnographic case studies from the classical fields of anthropology in relation to local, global and broader historical developments.
- KM13 (Recognise the main theoretical principles of the classical fields of anthropology for an understanding of societies and social systems.) Recognise the main theoretical principles of the classical fields of anthropology for an understanding of societies and social systems.
- KM14 (Recognise the complexity of epistemological and methodological debates in the various classical fields of anthropology.) Recognise the complexity of epistemological and methodological debates in the various classical fields of anthropology.
- KM15 (Recognise cultural diversity through ethnography and critically evaluate ethnographic materials as knowledge of local and global contexts and as proposals for theoretical models.) Recognise cultural diversity through ethnography and critically evaluate ethnographic materials as knowledge of local and global contexts and as proposals for theoretical models.
- KM16 (Apply the incidence of culture from a holistic perspective in the various institutional systems of social action studied by the classic fields of anthropology.) Apply the incidence of culture from a holistic perspective in the various institutional systems of social action studied by the classic fields of anthropology.
- KM17 (Recognise the main theoretical foundations of the classical fields of anthropology for the understanding of societies and social systems.) Recognise the main theoretical foundations of the classical fields of anthropology for the understanding of societies and social systems.
- SM18 (Synthesise knowledge of the transformations experienced in the different classical fields of study of anthropology.) Synthesise knowledge of the transformations experienced in the different classical fields of study of anthropology.
- SM19 (Critically interpret and analyse explicit and implicit theoretical models in the ethnographic materials studied in the classical fields of anthropology.) Critically interpret and analyse explicit and implicit theoretical models in the ethnographic materials studied in the classical fields of anthropology.
- SM20 (Analyse ethnographical examples of cultural diversity and transcultural variability of economic, family, political, symbolic and cognitive systems and the anthropological theory that applies to them.) Analyse ethnographical examples of cultural diversity and transcultural variability of economic, family, political, symbolic and cognitive systems and the anthropological theory that applies to them.
- SM21 (Use in a clear, explanatory and synthetic way the language of the theories of the classical fields in anthropology.) Use in a clear, explanatory and synthetic way the language of the theories of the classical fields in anthropology.
Contents
The syllabus for this course focuses primarily on classical theories of religion, symbols, and rituals. It aims to examine key issues in understanding the religious phenomenon and to take an anthropological approach to symbolic communication and classification, symbolism, the ritual process, and ritual dramas. The course also focuses on ritual, seeking to present contemporary examples of symbolic representation in general and its effectiveness.
Course Overview
Introduction to ritual and examples (to select the ritual to be analyzed in the practical assignment)
Religion Module
Understanding our Western system of representation. Learning to interpret reality and decode it by reviewing key concepts and classical dichotomies regarding the religious phenomenon. Only in this way can one begin to grasp other ontologies.
- Concept of time and nineteenth-century theories of religion (science/religion).
- Concept of religiosity. Defining categories (supernatural/natural, divinity, magic/religion, monotheism/animism, religion/popular religiosity).
- Concept of the world (sacred/profane).
- Concept of nature (culture/nature, totemism).
- Concept of the person (body/soul).
- Multiplicity of perspectives: a methodology for analyzing the religious phenomenon.
Symbolism Module
Symbolic thought, theoretical proposals, and symbolic analysis through classical authors.
- Introduction to symbolic thought.
- Symbolic conjunction.
- Symbolic combinations. (Part I) Classification systems. (Part II) Symbolic opposition.
- The power of symbols. (Part I) Condensation, dominance, and symbolic polarisation. (Part II) Proposals for analysis.
Ritual Module
Anthropological theories of ritual: meaning, efficacy and the ritual process. The theory will be illustrated with examples that clarify the procedural analysis.
- Preamble on ritual.
- Ritual meaning and efficacy.
- The ritual process.
- Ritual analysis through examples. The anthropological study of contemporary ritual and current symbolic acts of classification.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation and presentation of work | 35 | 1.4 | CM13, CM14, KM13, SM18, SM19, SM20, SM21 |
| Theoretical classes, with viewing of ethnographic materials | 40 | 1.6 | CM13, CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17 |
| Comprehensive reading of bibliography and personal study | 50 | 2 | CM13, CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17 |
| Exhibition of theoretical and ethnographic works | 10 | 0.4 | SM18, SM19, SM20, SM21 |
| Ritual analysis tutorials | 15 | 0.6 | CM14, SM20, SM21 |
The course is designed using teaching methodologies to offer students a range of learning activities:
Teaching methodologies
- Lectures supported by ICT (Information and Communication Technologies).
- Viewing of ethnographic materials that illustrate theoretical content.
- Methodological guidelines for processing ethnographic information and analyzing content.
- Preparation of theoretical and ethnographic assignments.
Learning activities
- Lectures for each module (Religion, Symbolism, and Ritual) and an explanation of analytical methodologies and ethnographic case studies.
- Presentations of theoretical and ethnographic assignments. Here, all students can explore examples of religion, symbolism, and ritual.
- Ethnographic practice involves observing, describing, and analyzing a ritual to apply the knowledge acquired.
- Individualized tutoring for the in-depth analysis of a ritual.
- Comprehensive reading of texts (an extensive bibliography organized by topic is available on the Virtual Campus).
- Study of content prior to the preparation and presentation of assignments.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom attendance, theoretical and practical classes | 20 | 0 | 0 | CM13, CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17 |
| Practical work (individual or group) on the analysis of a ritual | 30 | 0 | 0 | SM19, SM20, SM21 |
| Written work (individual theoretical work) | 50 | 0 | 0 | SM18, SM19, SM20, SM21 |
The continuous assessment system is organized into three modules, each with a specific weighting in the final mark:
Module 1. Written test (50%). Through two theoretical works, the transversal knowledge of anthropological theory related to religion and symbolism will be evaluated, the main thematic fields worked on in the classroom, and learned through the reading of the bibliography. These theoretical works will be presented orally in class.
Module 2. Practical work (30%). Through practical work analyzing a ritual, the knowledge acquired throughout the course on symbolism and ritual will be evaluated. To address this, a tutorial in the office and an oral presentation in class are planned, both of which will count as compulsory tests.
Module 3. Participation in the classroom (20%). This module is not recoverable. Attendance at classes in the format of a seminar of compulsory readings, exercises or practical activities in the classroom will be evaluated. Evidence of attendance and participation will be derived from the classroom activities carried out that day.
At the beginning of the course, assignment deadlines and instructions for completing them will be provided. When each assessed activity is due, students will be informed of the procedure and the date for marking.
- To pass the module, students must have passed modules 1 and 2 with a minimum mark of 5 in each.
- To be EVALUABLE, you must have presented the evaluation activities of one of the two modules, 1 or 2, and have obtained a minimum grade of 5. Otherwise, the student will be considered NOT EVALUABLE.
- To access the recovery, you must have passed at least one of the two modules. The recovery will be carried out on the date established by Academic Management and will be notified through the subject's Moodle.
Should a student commit any irregularity that could lead to a significant change in the mark for an assessment (such as plagiarism or copying), that assessment will be marked with a 0. If multiple irregularities occur in the assessment tasks for the same module, the module's final grade will be 0.
This module permits the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies exclusively for tasks of bibliographic or information research, text correction, or translations, at the discretion of the teaching staff. A lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty. It will result in the activity being marked as zero and being irrecoverable, or in more severe sanctions in more serious cases.
The single assessment system also provides for three assessed activities on a set date at the end of the semester:
Module 1. Written test (50%). Through two theoretical works, the transversal knowledge of anthropological theory related to religion and symbolism will be evaluated, the main thematic fields worked on in the classroom, and learned through the reading of the bibliography. These theoretical works will be presented orally in class.
Module 2. Practical work (30%). Through practical work analyzing a ritual, the knowledge acquired throughout the course on symbolism and ritual will be evaluated. To address this, a tutorial in the office and an oral presentation in class are planned, both of which will count as compulsory tests.
Module 3. Oral test (20%) linking to the syllabus with all the compulsory readings.
In this case, the same criteria and the calendar of the evaluation, review, and recovery system will be applied as in the continuous evaluation.
Bibliography
Recommendation to students when citing bibliography: How to cite and prepare the bibliography https://www.uab.cat/web/estudia-iinvestiga/com-citar-i-elaborar-la-bibliografia-1345708785665.html
Compulsory readings
Religion Theme Block
Evans-Pritchard, Edward Evan (1991 [1965]). “Las teorías psicológicas” & “Las teorías sociológicas”. In: Las teorías de la religión primitiva. Siglo XXI, pp. 41-82 y 83-128.
Delgado, Manuel (1993). “La religiosidad popular. En torno a un falso problema”. Gazeta de Antropología, 10. http://www.ugr.es/~pwlac/G10_08Manuel_Delgado.html.
Durkheim, Émile (2003 [1912]). “Definición del fenómeno religioso y de la religión”. In: Las formas elementales de la vida religiosa. Alianza, pp. 57-93.
Godelier, Maurice (2000 [1972]). “Lo visible y lo invisible en los baruya de Nueva Guinea”. In: Economía, fetichismo y religión en las sociedades primitivas. Siglo XXI. pp. 355-365.
Geertz, Clifford (1987 [1973]). “Ritual y cambio social: un ejemplo javanés”. In: La interpretación de las culturas. Gedisa, pp. 131-151.
Symbolism Thematic Block
Douglas, Mary (1991 [1966]). “La profanación secular”. In: Pureza y peligro. Un análisis de los conceptos de contaminación y tabú. Siglo XXI, pp. 27-41.
Durkheim, Émile & Mauss, Marcel (1969 [1903]). “Sobre algunas formas primitivas de clasificación. Contribución al estudio de las representaciones colectivas”. In: Durkheim E. (1996). Clasificaciones primitivas (y otros ensayos de antropología positiva). Ariel, pp. 25-103.
Turner, Victor (1980 [1967]). “Símbolos en el ritual Ndembu”. In: La selva de los símbolos. Aspectos del ritual Ndembu. Siglo XXI, pp. 21-52.
Myth Thematic Block
Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1971 [1962]). “La ciència del concret”. In: El pensament salvatge. Ed. 62, pp. 19-50.
Bidou, Paul (1989 [1979]). “A propósito del incesto y de la muerte. Un mito de los indios Tatuyo del noroeste de la Amazonia". In: M. Izard & P. Smith (eds.) La función simbólica. Júcar, pp.113-145.
Ritual Thematic Block
Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1987 [1958]). “La eficacia simbólica”. In: Antropología Estructural. Paidós, pp. 168-185.
Douglas, Mary (1991 [1966]). “Magia y milagro”. In: Pureza y peligro. Un análisis de los conceptos de contaminación y tabú. Siglo XXI, pp. 61-79.
Turner, Victor (1988 [1969]). “Niveles de clasificación de un ritual de vida y muerte”. In: Proceso ritual. Taurus, pp. 13-53.
Christian, William (1995). \"La devoció a les imatges brunes a Catalunya. La Mare de Déu de Montserrat\". Revista d'Etnologia de Catalunya, 6, pp. 24-33.
Recommended general bibliography (at the beginning of the course in the Virtual Campus, there will be an extensive bibliography by topics)
Balandier, Georges (1994 [1992]). El poder en escenas. De la representación del poder al poder de la representación. Paidós.
Cantón Delgado, Manuela (2001). La razón hechizada. Teorías antropológicas de la religión. Ariel.
Díaz Cruz, Rodrigo (1998). Archipiélagos de rituales. Teorías antropológicas del ritual. Anthropos.
Douglas, Mary (1991 [1966]). Pureza y peligro. Un análisis de los conceptos de contaminación y tabú. Siglo XXI.
Geertz, Clifford (1987 [1973]). La interpretación de las culturas. Gedisa.
Gledhill, John (2000 [1999]). El poder y sus disfraces. Edicions Bellaterra.
Izard, Michel & Smith, Pierre (eds.) (1989 [1979]). La función simbólica. Júcar.
Leach, Edmund (1978 [1976]). Cultura y comunicación. La lógica de la conexión de los símbolos. Siglo XXI.
Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1987 [1958]). Antropología estructural. Paidós.
Morris, Brian (1995 [1987]). Introducción al estudio antropológico de la religión. Paidós.
Sperber, Dan (1980 [1974]). El simbolismo en general. Anthropos.
Turner, Victor (1990 [1967]). La selva de los símbolos. Siglo XXI.
Turner, Victor (1988 [1969]). El proceso ritual. Estructura y antiestructura. Taurus.
Vallverdú, Jaume (2008). Antropología simbólica. Teoría y etnografía sobre religión, simbolismo y ritual. UOC.
Waal Malefijt, Annemarie de (1975). Introducción a la antropología religiosa. Verbo Divino.
Software
Word processor (Word type). PowerPoint.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |