ANT 212 - Religion: Anthropological View

3 Cr.
Contact Hours Per Week: 3 Lec.

A look at religion as part of cultural systems in tribal and non-literate societies. Questions will deal with the origin and development of religions, including archeological evidence for ritual practices in prehistoric cultures. Cultural viewpoints on the nature of the supernatural, cosmologies, and idea about the soul and the afterlife will be explored. The importance of myth and ritual in validating and maintaining cultural identity is also discussed. The relationship between magical practices, witchcraft beliefs and related cultural phenomena to social norms and conflicts within these societies will be examined. The functional nature of religious beliefs as an integral part of cultural systems and their relationship to social change is the critical focus of the course.
Usually offered Fall semester
General Education: Meets SUNY requirement for Social Science (SS)

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ANT 212 - Religion: Anthropological View