Introduction to Anthropology and Sociology of Religion - Einzelansicht

Starting from approaches to religion developed by Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx and finishing with the most current developments, this course provides a concise overview of the main anthropological and sociological discussions concerning religion, magic, belief, lived religion, religion/secular divide in anthropology, with some excursions towards studies of ritual.

The focus is on showing and following the links between theory and qualitative research, especially ethnography and exploring continuities in certain lines of methodological and theoretical thinking from the early works to the present days.

Sociology and anthropology of religion are research and theoretical fields that gave rise to many important approaches with significance beyond this very field. What is the role of organisations in human life? Does social life significantly changes when there are clearly defined organisations that want to manage its particular aspects? What is the relationship between the human mind and certain types of thinking and experiencing the world? Is religion a phenomenon sui generis? What does it mean "to believe"? What are the social roles of material environments such as cityscapes?    

Before each class students are expected to submit a short impulse paper (max. 500 words), based on the required reading. It can include questions and themes for discussion.

LINK TO THE SEMINAR IN MOODLE. We meet at 10:15 sharp on Fridays.

All reading will be provided in electronic format.