The anthropology of witchcraft and sorcery
D Ryan
8 points * 2 hours per week * Second semester * Clayton
The subject examines witchcraft and sorcery as aspects of magico-religious belief systems in a variety of crosscultural and historical settings. On the basis of selected case studies, the pertinence of a consideration of witchcraft and sorcery in relation to issues such as rationality, religiosity and power is discussed.
Assessment
Written (6000 words): 100%
Recommended texts
Douglas M (ed.) Witchcraft confessions and accusations Tavistock, 1970
Evans-Pritchard E E Witchcraft, oracles and magic among the Azande OUP, 1976
Larner C Witchcraft and religion Blackwell, 1984
Stephen M (ed.) Sorcerer and witch in Melanesia MUP, 1987