Students

ANTH107 – Saints, Shamans, Cults and Demons: The Anthropology of Contemporary Religions

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Jaap Timmer
Contact via 8077
Hearing Hub, second floor
By appointment
Payel Ray
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Gaining knowledge about the varieties of religious experience and practices in the contemporary world is an essential aspect of understanding modern societies. This unit covers some of the core themes of the anthropology of religion and introduces students to a wide range of contexts in which we can study the religious. Topics include: myth, magic, rituals, spirit possessions, the sacred and the secular; magic, sorcery. Students are also introduced to the anthropological method of doing ethnography.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Unit participation 25% No ongoing
Ethnographic exercise 30% No Week 8
Final research paper 30% No week 13
Short essay 15% No Week 4

Unit participation

Due: ongoing
Weighting: 25%

Active attendance at lecture and tutorials, including engagement with tutorial materials. Each week you will prepare for the lectures and tutorials by completing the required readings. You will be given a question or questions that will require a written response but you must also come to the tutorial ready to engage in open discussion of the week’s topics. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.

Ethnographic exercise

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%

This is a short essay (1000 words) with an ethnographic focus, that is, you will describe anthropologically a particular cultural phenomenon from first hand experience. You will be given detailed instructions as to how to approach this assessment during lectures and tutorials.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Final research paper

Due: week 13
Weighting: 30%

1,500-words essay on a topic from a list that will be distributed in Week 8. These will focus on the various themes presented in readings and lectures throughout the course, whilst allowing you to investigate a particular area of interest.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Short essay

Due: Week 4
Weighting: 15%

500-word essay on the question what anthropology has brought to religion, using the concepts, terms, and approaches discussed during the first three weeks of lectures and tutorials


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Delivery and Resources

Technology used and required

Students will need to have access to iLearn because this unit's iLearn site is the unit guide. iLearn is also to be used to complete the weekly question assignments and to take the three quizzes scheduled throughout the semester. 

All lectures are recorded, and many of the materials made use of in class are available through the library and iLearn. While the ECHO system records and may livestream lectures, we strongly encourage everyone to attend the lectures in person. ECHO has been known to fail and we have a tenuous (at best) relationship with the system. The recordings are also often difficult to hear and watch at times and you might miss valuable information. We will not offer notes or repeat lectures due to a system failure. The best approach is to attend lecture in person. Use the ECHO system only when unavoidable circumstances arise. We attempt to make lectures and tutorials as dynamic as possible and interact with students. You will also have the opportunity to share experiences and ask questions during and after the lecture. Attending in person is a unique and engaging experience. Moreover, honestly, the lectures are much more fun for everyone (including me) if people are actually present. 

Lecture and Tutorial times.

Please see the university time table for your update Lecture and Tutorials times. Also they will be posted on iLearn 

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Detailed information can be found in iLearn.  

Unit Schedule

Will be made available on iLearn in mid-February

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Late submission, penalties, and special consideration

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

All special consideration requests should be processed through https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Examine and evaluate theoretical and ethnographic texts.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.
  • Develop writing and research skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Participate in group discussions on a range of topics related to religion in contemporary societies.
  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.
  • Understand key themes in the anthropology of religion.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Actively engage in ethnographic description, data collection and analysis.

Assessment tasks

  • Unit participation
  • Ethnographic exercise
  • Final research paper
  • Short essay

Changes since First Published

Date Description
21/02/2018 I have amended the assessment tasks, to include an early assessment of learning and writing in Week 4, by means of a short essay (500 words) (instead of a quiz). In addition, I have a weighed the 4 assessments slightly different to the previous to put more emphasis on engaged learning.