Content

Religion has always figured as one of the key objects of Anthropology. One could even state that the early social sciences developed around a primary distinction between the West that was considered as modern and secularized (studied by sociologists) and the non-West that was understood as deeply religious (the object of the first anthropologists).

This course seeks to offer an overview of some of the main theoretical and empirical debates around the concept of religion and to explore a set of analytical approaches that have been developed for its examination.

The course is organized around a number of key concepts (animism, magic, witchcraft, totemism, ritual, body, religion). A central aim of this class is to understand how certain concepts were developed to identify particular forms of beliefs and practices that were considered as typical for ‘primitive cultures’. These genealogical investigations will be supplemented by contemporary ethnographic case studies set in various parts of the world. 

Course material

Toledo is being used as main instrument for this learning activity. All reading material will be made available through Toledo. 

Language of instruction: more information

The course will be taught in English.

Format: more information

Group assignment - Presentation - Traditional lecture

This course is designed as a series of lectures and group assignment and presentations. In person presence is therefore required.