REL 20.06 Shamanism: The Agony and the Ecstasy

Shamans are those who communicate with spirits. Or are they? In this course, we unpack various definitions of shamanism and the vigorous debate over this term (the agony). We consider the history of shamanism as a concept, looking at key theories and scholars. We explore shamanism around the world, drawing on scholarship, ethnographies, and lived experience of shamanic practices (the ecstasy). We delve into considerations of gender, medicine, colonialism and indigeneity.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:INT or TMV; WCult:NW

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.