Religion, Ritual & Global Transformation (L6072)
Religion, Ritual & Global Transformation
Module L6072
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This module provides students with knowledge of anthropological approaches to the understanding of
religion and ritual and its transformations in the modern world. It introduces main theoretical debates in
the field of anthropology of religion and ritual, fostering historical awareness of how religion and ritual
have affected global economic, political and socio-cultural transformations. We will confront broad
assumptions made about modern life, progress, rationality and even science through ethnographic
texts and discussion. We ask ‘What is religion?’ and ‘What is the secular?’, exploring cultural taboos on
clothing, totemism in contemporary politics, elements of belief in science, witchcraft in economics,
magic in daily practice, animism in environmental contexts, and much more...
Module learning outcomes
To demonstrate knowledge/understanding of anthropological approaches to understanding religion and ritual.
To analyse/evaluate/assess main theoretical debates in the field of anthropology of religion and ritual, and an awareness of the history of these debates and how specific theoretical trends have developed over time.
To relate theory to specific ethnographic contexts of religious and ritual practice.
To evaluate/compare strengths and weaknesses of anthropological theory that has been developed and deployed to understand actual practices.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (3000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Thu 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11010101010 |
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 00101010101 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
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