Amulets and Talismans In her article “Thai Buddhism and the Popularity of Amulets in Anthropological Perspective,” Moro argues that amulets in Thailand “primarily function as objects of actual power.” What do you think she means by this statement? Do you have any amulets or talismans that you carry with you or that you keep in […]
Myth and Myth Theory Incorporate the reading by Scalise Sugiyama and Sugiyama as well as the reading by Norenzayan, Atran, Faulkner, and Schaller. Scalise Sugiyama and Sugiyama propose that monster stories in oral traditions may serve as a means to promote survival in a vulnerable population. Analyze whether or not you agree with this proposal. […]
Rites of Passage Victor Turner defines three distinct phases of a rite of passage: separation, transition, and incorporation. Even if we are not expressly religious, all of us have experienced a rite of passage at some point in our lives. Examples of secular rites of passage include graduation ceremonies, induction into the military, entering a […]
Religious Specialists What cultural and historical circumstances allowed Shoko Asahara to gain power in Japan? How did he persuade people to follow him and stay in Aum Shinrikyo? How does this relate to the Diane Benscoter’s experience as a member of the Unification Church (aka Moonies)? After leaving the Moonies, was Benscoter’s role as a […]
Trance, Possession, and Altered States Discuss the ritual and religious use of otherwise illegal substances, based on the readings in Chapter 5 and the assigned videos. Do you think that people should be able to use controlled and/or illegal substances in religious rituals? Why or why not? Who should decide which uses of drugs and […]
Health and Healing Compare and contrast the various forms of healing and ethnomedicine exhibited in this week’s assigned articles and videos. How do cultural values and socio-economic conditions shape healing practices? Should western medical intervention have taken place in any of these examples? Why or why not? Discuss the example of the “Nacirema” culture in […]
Witchcraft Watch Strange Beliefs: Sir Edward Evans-Pritchard (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Then, read the assigned selections from Chapter 7: Witchcraft, Sorcery, Divination, and Magic in Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion. E. E. Evans-Pritchard concluded that the belief in witchcraft serves three cultural functions: to provide an explanation for the unexplainable; to […]
Separation of Church and State Reflecting on this week’s required readings and videos, discuss the following: Should religion play a role in the United States Government? Does religion already play a role? If so, what role? How do debates about secularism in France compare to those in America? Your initial post should be at least […]
The Undead Our media portrayals of vampire, ghosts, and zombies are unique to our contemporary culture. For this assignment, choose one of these three undead figures, and describe its meaning in a cultural or religious context of your choice. Support your claims with relevant, high-quality sources. Then, compare the American popular media portrayal of that […]
HR and Management Explain what the author means by the statement that “Every manager is an HR manager”. Do you agree? Give examples to support your point of view. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. Initial post should be 150-250 words in length. Please cite at least one scholarly […]
