ANT 308 - Ritual, Symbol, and Behavior (1)

Symbol and ritual shape interpretations of, and actions in, our world. They hold us together, contribute to the manners in which we understand ourselves, and provide deep meaning. Rituals and symbols are also embedded in systems of power, conferring social status and (re)producing social structure. Using a cross-cultural lens, this course considers how symbolic processes shape our collective worlds and both reinforce and challenge existing structures of power. This course examines how our social worlds are constituted through symbols, ritual, art, and performance looking to examples from areas such as performance art, sports, protests and more. Students will explore the significance of rituals and symbols in their own lives, and we will work together to broaden our understanding of the symbolic world and its connection to material lives.

This course may count toward the ANT and SAN majors. Prerequisite: ANT 101 Alternate years.
(Social Science)