Anthropology of Religion, Symbolism and Ritual
Code: 107242 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | OB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Virginia Fons Renaudon
- Email:
- virginia.fons@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The subject is taught in the second semester of the second year of the degree, after 'Economic Anthropology' and 'Anthropology of Kinship' in the first semester, and simultaneously with 'Political Anthropology' in the same semester. These subjects together make up 'Classical Fields of Anthropology'. The subject seeks to develop anthropological theory and analysis of cultural diversity in relation to religion, ritual and symbolic-cognitive systems. The course also focuses on applying disciplinary knowledge to these areas to identify and study contemporary sociocultural reality, particularly the analysis of current rituals. Therefore, the objective is to propose critical assumptions, concepts, and theories related to these fields of knowledge for interpreting the symbolic and ritual dimensions. At the same time, it provides a methodology for in-depth analysis and ethnographic interpretation of the realities around us.
Learning Outcomes
- CM13 (Competence) Interpret social and cultural patterns using a variety of analytical and theoretical perspectives from classical fields.
- CM14 (Competence) Evaluate ethnographic case studies from the classical fields of anthropology in relation to local, global and broader historical developments.
- KM13 (Knowledge) Recognise the main theoretical principles of the classical fields of anthropology for an understanding of societies and social systems.
- KM14 (Knowledge) Recognise the complexity of epistemological and methodological debates in the various classical fields of anthropology.
- KM15 (Knowledge) Recognise cultural diversity through ethnography and critically evaluate ethnographic materials as knowledge of local and global contexts and as proposals for theoretical models.
- KM16 (Knowledge) Apply the incidence of culture from a holistic perspective in the various institutional systems of social action studied by the classic fields of anthropology.
- KM17 (Knowledge) Recognise the main theoretical foundations of the classical fields of anthropology for the understanding of societies and social systems.
- SM18 (Skill) Synthesise knowledge of the transformations experienced in the different classical fields of study of anthropology.
- SM19 (Skill) Critically interpret and analyse explicit and implicit theoretical models in the ethnographic materials studied in the classical fields of anthropology.
- SM20 (Skill) Analyse ethnographical examples of cultural diversity and transcultural variability of economic, family, political, symbolic and cognitive systems and the anthropological theory that applies to them.
- SM21 (Skill) Use in a clear, explanatory and synthetic way the language of the theories of the classical fields in anthropology.
Content
This subject's syllabus focuses mainly on classical theories of religion, symbols and rituals. It reviews key issues for understanding the religious phenomenon, taking an anthropological approach to different forms of symbolic communication, classification, symbolism, processes and ritual dramas. The course also focuses on rituality, providing current examples of symbolic representation and demonstrating their effectiveness.
Syllabus
Introduction to the subject
Introduction to rituality (selecting the ritual to be analysed in the practical work).
- What is a ritual? Definition and examples.
Religion Thematic Block
- Nineteenth-century theories of religion. The idea of evolution and time. What is our notion of time?
- What is the definition of religion? What do we discover when we contextualise it?
- How is the world represented? Perspectivism and religion. Key notions of divinity, the supernatural, the sacred and the profane, the visible and the invisible.
- How do we represent nature? The notion of culture/nature.
- What is our representation of the person? The notion of body and soul.
- Epilogue on religiosity. One more point of analysis.
Symbolism Thematic Block
- What is a symbol? Human communication systems.
- Symbolic thought. Symbolic conjunction.
- Symbolic combinations. (Part I) Symbolic classification systems. (Part II) Symbolic opposition. Analysis of mythical and fictional narratives.
- The power of symbols. (Part I) Condensation, dominance, and symbolicpolarisation. (Part II) Proposals for analysis.
Ritual Thematic Block
- Meaning and ritual efficacy.
- Ritual Process.
- Ritual analysis through examples. The anthropological study of contemporary ritual and current symbolic acts of classification.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Theoretical classes, with viewing of ethnographic materials and discussion of contents | 40 | 1.6 | CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17, SM19, SM20, SM21, CM14 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Supervision through tutorials of the observation, description and analysis of a ritual. Oral presentations of ritual analysis | 10 | 0.4 | CM14, SM20, SM21, CM14 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Comprehensive reading of mandatory and recommended bibliography | 25 | 1 | CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17, SM19, CM14 |
| Observation, description and analysis of a ritual | 10 | 0.4 | SM20, SM21, SM20 |
| Personal study | 25 | 1 | CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17, SM19, CM14 |
The subject is designed to provide students with a variety of training activities:
Directed and supervised
- Theoretical classes related to each thematic block (Religion, Symbolism and Ritual) involving the viewing of ethnographic materials to illustrate the content.
- Practical classes at the end of each thematic block provide an opportunity for students to discuss the content in more detail.
- There are also individualised tutorials for in-depth analysis of the chosen ritual.
- Students will give oral presentations in class on rituals they have analysed. Students can enjoy a wide range of ritual examples here, which illustrate the application of theoretical and methodological concepts to the analysis of ritual situations.
Autonomous
- Ethnographic practice involving the observation, description and analysis of a ritual chosen by the student. This allows students to apply the knowledge they have acquired. As stated, this activity is supervised through tutorials with the teacher, enabling in-depth analysis.
- Students will also undertake personal study of the content covered in class.
- Comprehensive reading of compulsory and recommended texts (an extensive bibliography of topics will be available on the Virtual Campus at the beginning of the course).
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in the classroom, in theoretical and practical discussion | 20 | 20 | 0.8 | KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17, SM19, SM21 |
| Practical work (individual or group) on the analysis of a ritual | 30 | 10 | 0.4 | CM13, SM20, SM21 |
| Written work (individual theoretical work) | 50 | 10 | 0.4 | CM14, KM13, KM14, KM15, KM16, KM17, SM18, SM19 |
The continuous assessment system is organised into three modules, each of which contributes a specific percentage to the final grade.
- Written test (50% of the final grade). It will evaluate the transversal knowledge of anthropological theory related to the main thematic fields covered in class and learnt through reading the bibliography.
- Practical work (30%). The analysis of a ritual will be evaluated.
- Participation in the classroom (20%). This module is not recoverable. Contribution to classroom discussions and attendance at compulsory training sessions (theoretical and practical) will be evaluated. Tutoring the chosen ritual and its oral presentation in class are both compulsory assessments.
At the beginning of the course, the delivery dates for the work will be provided, along with instructions for completing it. Students will be informed of the procedure and date of revision of the grades at the time of each evaluation activity.
- In order to pass the subject, it is necessary to pass modules 1 and 2 with a minimum grade of 5 in each.
- In order to be assessed, students must have completed modules 1 and/or 2 and obtained a minimum grade of 5 in at least one of them.
- Students who do not complete these tests throughout the semester will not be evaluated.
- If a student is eligible for assessment but does not pass modules 1 or 2, they will be able to retake them on a date established by Academic Management, which will be communicated via the subject's Moodle platform.
If a student commits an irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade of an assessment (e.g. plagiarism or cheating), this assessment will be graded as 0. If a student commits several irregularities in the assessments of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0.
This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as [***bibliographic or content-based searches, text correction or translations, where applicable]. Other specific situations may be contemplated, as deemed appropriate by the teacher. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
The single assessment system provides for three assessment activities, which take place at the end of the semester.
- A written test (50%). It will evaluate the transversal knowledge of anthropological theory related to the main thematic fields covered in class and learnt through reading the bibliography.
- Practical work (30%). The analysis of a ritual will be evaluated.
- Presentation of the analytical work of a ritual (20%). Oral test.
The same recovery system will be applied to continuous assessment.
Bibliography
Recommendation to students when citing bibliography: How to cite and prepare the bibliography https://www.uab.cat/web/estudia-iinvestiga/com-citar-i-elaborar-la-bibliografia-1345708785665.html
Compulsory readings
Religion Theme Block
Evans-Pritchard, Edward Evan (1991 [1965]). “Las teorías psicológicas” & “Las teorías sociológicas”. In: Las teorías de la religión primitiva. Siglo XXI, pp. 41-82 y 83-128.
Delgado, Manuel (1993). “La religiosidad popular. En torno a un falso problema”. Gazeta de Antropología, 10. http://www.ugr.es/~pwlac/G10_08Manuel_Delgado.html.
Durkheim, Émile (2003 [1912]). “Definición del fenómeno religioso y de la religión”. In: Las formas elementales de la vida religiosa. Alianza, pp. 57-93.
Godelier, Maurice (2000 [1972]). “Lo visible y lo invisible en los baruya de Nueva Guinea”. In: Economía, fetichismo y religión en las sociedades primitivas. Siglo XXI. pp. 355-365.
Geertz, Clifford (1987 [1973]). “Ritual y cambio social: un ejemplo javanés”. In: La interpretación de las culturas. Gedisa, p. 131-151.
Symbolism Thematic Block
Douglas, Mary (1991 [1966]). “La profanación secular”. In: Pureza y peligro. Un análisis de los conceptos de contaminación y tabú. Siglo XXI, pp. 27-41.
Durkheim, Émile & Mauss, Marcel (1969 [1903]). “Sobre algunas formas primitivas de clasificación. Contribución al estudio de las representaciones colectivas”. In: Durkheim E. (1996). Clasificaciones primitivas (y otros ensayos de antropología positiva). Ariel, pp. 25-103.
Turner, Victor (1980 [1967]). “Símbolos en el ritual Ndembu”. In: La selva de los símbolos. Aspectos del ritual Ndembu. Siglo XXI, pp. 21-52.
Myth Thematic Block
Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1971 [1962]). “La ciència del concret”. In: El pensament salvatge. Ed. 62, pp. 19-50.
Bidou, Paul (1989 [1979]). “A propósito del incesto y de la muerte. Un mito de los indios tatuyo del noroeste de la Amazonia". In: M. Izard M. & P. Smith (eds.) La función simbólica. Júcar, pp.113-145.
Ritual Thematic Block
Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1987 [1958]). “La eficacia simbólica”. In: Antropología Estructural. Paidós, p. 168-185.
Douglas, Mary (1991 [1966]). “Magia y milagro”. In: Pureza y peligro. Un análisis de los conceptos de contaminación y tabú. Siglo XXI, pp. 61-79.
Turner, Victor (1988 [1969]). “Niveles de clasificación de un ritual de vida y muerte”. In: Proceso ritual. Taurus, p. 13-53.
Christian, William (1995). "La devoció a les imatges brunes a Catalunya. La Mare de Déu de Montserrat". Revista d'Etnologia de Catalunya, 6, pp. 24-33.
Recommended general bibliography (atthe beginning of the course in the Virtual Campus there will be an extensive bibliography by topics)
Balandier, Georges (1994 [1992]). El poder en escenas. De la representación del poder al poder de la representación. Paidós.
Cantón Delgado, Manuela (2001). La razón hechizada. Teorías antropológicas de la religión. Ariel.
Díaz Cruz, Rodrigo (1998). Archipiélagos de rituales. Teorías antropológicas del ritual. Anthropos.
Douglas, Mary (1991 [1966]). Pureza y peligro. Un análisis de los conceptos de contaminación y tabú. Siglo XXI.
Geertz, Clifford (1987 [1973]). La interpretación de las culturas. Gedisa.
Gledhill, John (2000 [1999]). El poder y sus disfraces. Edicions Bellaterra.
Izard, Michel & Smith, Pierre (eds.) (1989 [1979]). La función simbólica. Júcar.
Leach, Edmund (1978 [1976]). Cultura y comunicación. La lógica de la conexión de los símbolos. Siglo XXI.
Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1987 [1958]). Antropología estructural. Paidós.
Morris, Brian (1995 [1987]). Introducción al estudio antropológico de la religión. Paidós.
Sperber, Dan (1980 [1974]). El simbolismo en general. Anthropos.
Turner, Victor (1990 [1967]). La selva de los símbolos. Siglo XXI.
Turner, Victor (1988 [1969]). El proceso ritual. Estructura y antiestructura. Taurus.
Vallverdú, Jaume (2008). Antropología simbólica. Teoría y etnografía sobre religión, simbolismo y ritual. UOC.
Waal Malefijt, Annemarie de (1975). Introducción a la antropologíareligiosa. Verbo Divino.
Software
Word processor (Word type). PowerPoint.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |