Summer 2016 - SA 323 D900
Symbol, Myth and Meaning (A) (4)
Class Number: 5404
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
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Instructor:
Lauren Harding
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Prerequisites:
SA 101 or 150 or 201W.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of myth, symbolism, ritual and cosmological systems. Anthropological theories of magic, possession, witchcraft, healing and religious movements analyzed in ethnographic context.
COURSE DETAILS:
In this course, we will investigate the potential meanings of a wide variety of cultural symbols, rituals, and myths in diverse cultural contexts. We will explore key theorists such as Clifford Geertz, Mary Douglas, Victor Turner, Pierre Bourdieu and others who have contributed to anthropological approaches to symbol and myth over the history of the discipline and in contemporary ethnography. We will seek to understand the significance of various cultural practices, from witchcraft to drag performances to spiritual communion with the dead. In this class, you will be asked to engage ethnographic methods in an analysis of a public ritual in a cultural setting of your choice and employ anthropological theory in seeking to understand the meanings behind ritual action. You will also have the opportunity to read in-depth an ethnographic text that explores cultural actions involving symbol and myth. Finally, at the conclusion of the course you will have explored through a research paper a topic related to symbol, myth, and ritual of your choice, giving you to opportunity to apply anthropological approaches to understand a subject of interest to you.
Grading
- Class Participation 10%
- Group Presentation 20%
- Ritual Analysis Proposal 5%
- Ritual Analysis Assignment 25%
- Research Paper Proposal 5%
- Research Paper 35%
REQUIREMENTS:
Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned an N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐ S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Readings for the course will be made available through the library course reserve and Canvas systems. Details on how to access the course readings will be given on the Canvas course site and explained in class.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Basso, Keith. 1996. Wisdom Sits in Places: Language and Landscape among the Western Apache. University of New Mexico Press.
Burke, Timothy. 1996. Lifebuoy men, lux women: commodification, consumption, and cleanliness in modern Zimbabwe. Durham: Duke University Press.
Debernardi, Jean. 2006. The Way That Lives in the Heart: Chinese Popular Religion and Spirit Mediums in Penang, Malaysia. Stanford University Press.
Evans-Pritchard, E. E. 1976. Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande. Oxford University Press.
Klima, Alan. 2002. The Funeral Casino: Meditation, Massacre and Exchange with the Dead in Thailand. Princeton University Press.
Schneiderman, Sara. 2015. Rituals of Ethnicity: Thangmi Identities Between Nepal and India, University of Pennsylvania Press
Turner, Victor. 1967. Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual. Cornell University Press.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site contains information on what is meant by academic dishonesty and where you can find resources to help with your studies. There is also a section on tutoring.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS