Assignment 1

Choose a topic related to religious ritual for development and presentation to the class in seminar format. Presentations should take at least 25 minutes or so and be followed by questions and discussion. 

In general, you should choose a topic related to your thesis, work in another course, interest in another discipline (e.g., psychology or anthropology), area study (Judaism, Asian religion, etc.), previous research, or area of expertise.  That is, it is desirable that the assignment be used as an opportunity to integrate knowledge, using ritual as the thematic focus within a larger context.  This is called efficient and productive scholarly activity.
 

Assignment 2

Read Kertzer, Grimes, and any other material I may come up with to supplement our study of the relationship of politics, religion, and ritual.  Carefully watch and read up on anniversary observances of the events of September 11.  Write a critical essay examining religion, ritual, and public ceremonial, using 9-11 as a model or paradigm.  Evaluate such questions as

• the impact and effectiveness of public rituals
• ritual techniques that make them effective
• the human need or tendency (or not) to ritualize
• the use of religious language and imagery in public rituals
• ritual spontaneity in public life
• manipulation of public reaction/opinion/emotion using ritual
• the extent to which ritual makes politics/nationalism a kind of "religion"
• why an event like 9/11 is "ritualizable"
• other events that have occasioned a similar reaction
• the exclusiveness--or not--of various supposedly "religious" ritual behaviors
• establishing a definition of religious ritual
• etc., etc.

The resulting paper should exhibit proper use of an accepted scholarly annotation style, good writing, logical organization and development, thoroughness, and (of course) solid critical thinking.

Assignment 3

Attend at least three (3) ritual events (to be determined in class).  For each event, write a report describing the event, highlighting those elements which you found interesting in terms of the material of the course, relating what you have seen to other experiences you have had, and bringing to the event a critical analytical approach.  Apply good principles of field research (insofar as that is possible) to your observation, with careful attention to detail, affect, participants' understanding of the event (not always the last word!), setting, intended purpose, deviations from "standard" performances of the event, roles of performers, and so on.

Look for the details--you want a "thick description."  Consider the following aspects of the ritual:
(1)  the intended "users" of the ritual
 (2)  the individual, step-by-step elements of the ritual
 (3)  the structure of the rituals
 (4)  the symbols used in the rituals
 (5)  how the symbols are used
 (6)  the root metaphor(s) that underly the symbols
 (7)  the myth(s) the symbols reflect or draw upon
 (8)  the function the rituals serve for the individual and the group/community/society that uses them
 (9)  the appropriateness of the rituals
 (10) the effectiveness of the rituals
 (11) the relationships described/formed/expressed
 (12) the identities described/formed/expressed

Take note of things like (this isn't a "to do" list!)
                 Leaders 
                      Is there one person who controls most of the meeting?
                      Were the leaders set apart by special clothing?
                      Are they set apart by special training or ordination?
                      What part do others play in the ceremony?
                      Is there much interaction between the leader(s) and the audience?
                 Message/sermon/homily
                      How long was it?
                      Was it the central part of the service?
                      What place did scripture have in it?
                      Was it "rational" or did it play to the emotional side of the audience?
                 Architecture
                      Is the building plain or ornate?
                      Does the structure relate anything particular about this group?
                      Are there many religious symbols (crosses, candles, banners, images)?
                      How is the platform/altar area arranged? What does this tell you what this 
                      group considers most important?
                 Music
                      Was there much, or any, singing?
                      How would you characterize the music--somber, lively, traditional, etc?
                      What part, if any, did the songs play in the overall experience?
                      Were instruments used?  Which ones?  What affect did they have?
                 Ritual Behavior
                      How intricate was it? 
                      What did the congregation do?  Did they stand, sit, bow, kneel?
                      Was the service difficult to follow for the uninitiated?
                      Were there ritual actions that seemed distinctive to this group?
                      How were the beliefs and history of the group reflected in the service?
                 Congregation
                       How was the congregation dressed?
                       How many attended?
                       What was the attitude toward start time of the service?
                       How did they behave overall?
                       What proportions of men/women/children were there?
                       Did children stay throughout the service, or go elsewhere?  When and why?
                       What was the age profile of the congregation?
                       Were women, men, and children treated alike?
 
 

Turn in all 3 reports together.

An alternative research project you discuss with me first.