Anthropology of religious fields

Duration

30h Th, 6h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Elodie Razy

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Understanding the spiritual answers that humans give in response to questions inherent to the human condition, has interested anthropologists since the very beginnings of the discipline. Different theories have been developed to understand religion through the ages and across different continents, regarding the origins of religion and the myths surrounding it, ritual events and the daily practices to which it has given rise and continues to give rise to. Once we have deconstructed the concept of religion and addressed the different approaches to it, we shall use examples to focus on the value of certain theories, their possible limitations and the criticisms they have triggered. In this way, we will gradually outline the contours of religion. Finally, we shall pay particular attention to various forms of religiosity, which will allow us to revisit this key field in the discipline.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Students will acquire good historical knowledge of this field and the theories developed over time. The use of methodological and conceptual tools, coupled with experience in the field will enable them to address various religious forms (in terms of practices and representations) by adopting the required critical distance and the all-round approach that characterises anthropology.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

ANTH0007-1 "Fieldwork Methodology"

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Classes, conferences, museum visits, videos, student presentations, discussions and debates, reading.
 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

 

Recommended or required readings

Students will be asked to read articles, extracts from publications and the book:
Favret-Saada, J. 1977 Les Mots, la mort, les sorts : la sorcellerie dans le bocage, Paris : Gallimard.
 
See "course materials".

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

Students must give an oral presentation (40%) in class and an oral exam (60%) in january.
Instructions and criteria under "course materials".

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Lectures are compulsory.

Contacts

Students can arrange to see me by appointment.
Office 2.36 (B31)

Items online