ANT 3241: Myth, Mysticism, and Ritual (Spring 2008) SYLLABUS

Section 03, Reference #188171, Runs 1/08-4/08

Meets Tues-Thurs., TC-4 (UP), 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Instructor: Dr. Steven Mizrach, adjunct professor, sociology/anthropology

Office Hours: to be arranged by appointment

Contact: via email, mizrachs@fiu.edu; leave phone messages at office (305) 348-2247; leave text messages in adjunct mailbox in DM 331 (sociology/anthropology office).

Home Page: http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Lehmann, Moro & Myers, Magic, Witchcraft & Religion, 7^th Edition.

Stein & Stein, Anthropology of Religion, Magic & Witchcraft, 2^nd Edition.

OVERVIEW: This class follows a “trinitarian” structure. The first part covers myth, where we will discuss the functions and structure of mythology, the basics of anthropology of religion, and the mythological nature of religion. The second part covers mysticism, where we will discuss mystical experience, altered states of consciousness, and revitalization movements. The third part deals with ritual, where we will discuss things like taboos, pilgrimage, and the state/religion relationship. The ultimate goal of the course is to examine religion from an anthropological perspective – as an aspect of human life, thought, and behavior on this planet, grounded in culture, history, and memory.

CLASS SCHEDULE: Please do all readings on or before when they appear in the syllabus. As Lehmann & Meyers has several articles, read only those authors whose names appear underneath the chapter heading.

Class Day	Readings	Topics	Assignments Due/ Special Focus
Tuesday, January 8^th, 2008	FIRST DAY OF CLASSES	MYTH Discuss Syllabus	Meet Your Classmates
Thurs., Jan. 10^th	L & M Ch. 1: Geertz, Harris, Lee Stein Chapter 1	The Anthropology of Religion	Begin Myth
Tue 1/15	L & M Chapter 2: Leonard & McClure Stein Chapter 2	Structure & Function of Myth	“Myth & Religion”
Thu 1/17	L & M Ch. 2: Firth Stein Chapter 3	Myth Psyche & Symbols	“Power of Myth”
1/22	L & M Ch. 1: Root-Bernstein	Creation Myths	“Tree of Abraham”
1/24	L & M Ch. 1: Gould	Creating the Canon	“Two Testaments”
1/29	L & M Ch. 6: Halperin	Miracles	“The BVM”
1/31	L & M Ch. 4: Barkun	Millennial Myths	“Apocalypse Now”
2/5	L & M Ch. 9: Whitmore	Modern Mythology	“Freemasons”
2/7	L & M Ch. 7: Malinows., Gmelch Stein Chapter 7	MYSTICISM Mystical Realm	Begin Mysticism
2/12	L & M Ch. 5: Furst, Coe Stein Chapter 5	Altered States	MYTH ANALYSIS DUE
2/14	L & M Ch. 5: Huxley, Csor., Ropp	Entheogens	(Valentine’s Day)
2/19	Stein Chapter 9	Kabbalah	“The Golem”
2/21	Midterm Review	Exam Review	(film TBA)
2/26	MIDTERM EXAM	50 Questions	Class Period
2/28	L & M Ch. 8: Brown	Syncretism	“Voodoo Nation”
3/4	L & M Ch. 9: Wallace, Kehoe Stein Chapter 11	Revitalization Movements	“Ghost Dance”
3/6	L & M Ch. 4: Turner, Howells Stein Chapter 6	Shamanism	“Way of the Shaman”
3/11	L & M Ch. 7: Brain, Luhrmann Stein Chapter 10	Witchcraft	“Witches’ Brew”
3/13	L & M Ch. 3: Miner, Magliocco Stein Chapter 4	RITUAL Ritual Time & the Body	Begin Ritual
3/18	SPRING BREAK	NO	CLASS
3/20	SPRING BREAK	NO	CLASS
3/25	L & M Ch. 3: Turner	Pilgrimage	“On Pilgrim Roads”
3/27	L & M Ch. 6: Rebhun Stein Chapter 8	Totem & Taboo	“Thou Shalt Not”
4/1	L & M Ch. 10: Jurgensmeyer	Religion & the State	(April Fool’s)
4/3	L & M Ch. 10: Williams	Eastern Religions	“East Meets West”
4/8	L & M Ch. 10: O’Leary	Techgnosis	“Technoshamans”
4/10	L & M Ch. 10: Hoodfar	Islam	“Clash of Civilizations” (?)
4/15	L & M Ch. 9: Whitmore	Occultism & New Age	TERM PAPERS DUE
4/17	LAST DAY OF CLASS	Final Exam Review	Course Evaluations
4/22 ?	FINAL EXAM	100 Questions	3 Hours

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: Two exams, two written assignments.

1. Midterm and Final Exam. 50 and 100 points. The midterm will be one hour, on 2/26, and it will be 50 questions, so this should be enough time for it. The final will be for three hours, during the final exam period on 4/22 (this date may change), and will be 100 questions; it will be cumulative but weighted toward material from the 2^nd half of the semester. Each exam will be multiple choice, scantron based so please bring a no. 2 pencil. The number of points you get for each exam is the number right. We will do an exam review for each exam, where you will get a take home exam review sheet.
2. Myth Analysis. Worth 30 points. Due 2/12. You are to find a copy of a single myth, from any world mythological tradition (Greek, Native American, Jewish, Buddhist, etc.), and do an analysis on it. It could be the myth of Atlantis, King Arthur, the Holy Grail, Eros and Psyche, Gilgamesh, etc. You should photocopy or otherwise include a copy of the myth with your analysis, stapled to the analysis. The analysis should be 2-3 pages, and in it you will explain: what is the deeper significance of this myth? Why do people still tell this story today? What theories explain why this myth existed or was used in the society that it was found in? Is this myth still meaningful for people in the present, and if so, why? For the full 30 points, your analysis should be insightful, use theories from our course, and be critical and focused.
3. Term Paper. Worth 50 points. Due 4/15. 8-10 Pages. Please use a cover page, bibliography, and consistent citation system. In your term paper, you are to argue a thesis regarding a topic of your choice (a world religion, the impact of religion on society, the purpose of religion, the effects of religious movements, etc.) and to back it up with evidence from your sources. You must use at least three academic sources in your bibliography, not including your instructor or textbooks. The term paper will be evaluated for both content and mechanics, so watch punctuation, spelling, formatting, capitalization, and grammar.

GRADING SCALE: Each test and the project is worth a certain number of points, toward the 230 possible you can earn for the class.

230 Total Class Points

209 + Points “A”

186-208 Points: “B”

163-185 Points: “C”

140-162 Points: “D”

- 139 Points: “F”