Courses Projects Slideshows Resources Contact

Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion

Anthropology 340/540

Spring 2006

Writing: Your work should reflect an analytical grasp of concepts and issues.  All written work should be typed and double-spaced.  Submit all assignments in class.  No late work will be accepted.  Writing will be evaluated for originality, clarity of thought, and organization (argument or thesis).  All relevant bibliographic citations, including Internet sources, must be cited following standard anthropological style.  For writing and documentation tips, consult the following Internet sites (or see Dr. Ilahiane for further writing assistance):

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html

Ethnographic Project:  You will select a place of worship different from your own faith or beliefs to visit and prepare a concise (6 page maximum, double-spaced) paper combining ethnographic research, a literature review, and research on the Internet.  Your paper must have a thesis statement, and your work should articulate an informed and coherent theoretical perspective.  Students are required to meet with me to discuss project topics before February 23, 2006 for approval.

Academic Integrity: Without exception, all students are expected to know, understand, and conform to the Iowa State University Policy on Academic Integrity. Zero tolerance applies to all violations.

Evaluation: (Total = 600 points)

                        Midterm Exam                                 200 points

                        Final Exam                                        200 points

                        Book Presentation and Review     50 points

                        Ethnographic project                       130 points

                        Attendance/participation              20 points

                                               

Required Readings :

Bowen, John R.

2004 Religions in Practice: An Approach to the Anthropology of Religion. Third Edition.  Needham Heights , MA : Allyn and Bacon.

Covington, Dennis

1995 Salvation on Sand Mountain : Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia .  New York : Penguin.

Stoller, Paul and Olkes, Cheryl

1987 In Sorcery's Shadow: A Memoir of Apprenticeship among the Songhay of Niger .  Chicago : University of Chicago Press.

Wolfe, Michael

2003 The Hadj: An American's Pilgrimage to Mecca .  New York : Grove Press.