RLGN 420 - Structuralism and Anthropology of Religion

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

The anthropological study of religion attempts to understand individual religions as social constructs. As such, it investigates the phenomenon of religion as a general pattern of human behavior. It asks, among other things, why there are religions at all and what common characteristics, if any, religions share. Among the central concepts are notions of the sacred and the way the sacred is marked through individual behaviors and communal structures. This course introduces the philosophical and cognitive background to the anthropological study of religion and traces the ways in which this method has evolved and been applied over the last century and a half. Special emphasis will be placed on more recent developments, such as Structuralism, which focuses especially on the underlying structures of religions and religious organizations.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.