Anthropology 121
Ritual Observation Project
Introduction
This project has three purposes: (1) to have you experience a religion other than
your own, (2) to have you apply anthropological principles learned in class to a
specific situation, and (3) to have you experience anthropological fieldwork.
Choosing a Religion for Study
Your first task will be to choose a religion. Because we live in a large metropolitan
area, we are surrounded by a great diversity of religious practices. This makes this
project possible and exciting. Some questions you may ask in selecting a religion to
study are: Do you know someone who could be an informant? Do you know the
location of a specific church/temple/etc.? Will the ceremony be at least primarily in
English? An answer of “no” to any of these questions does not mean you cannot
study that religion; it just means it may be a bit more difficult.
If you have no idea what religion you would like to study, consider looking at
The Encyclopedia of American Religions. Possibilities include Catholic, Lutheran,
Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, Baptist, Adventists (including Jehovah's
Witness), Fundamentalist, Mormon, Coptic, Greek or Russian Orthodox, Unitarian,
Christian Science, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, New Age, Pagan, or
Wicca. Note that with certain religions you will need to make a further choice
between different subgroups (e.g., Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and
Reconstruction Judaism).
The paper is not a book report and no specific amount of reading is required.
However, you are responsible for finding out the meanings associated with the
different aspects of the ritual (i.e., you need to know enough to do the analysis
required of you). Possible sources include an encyclopedia entry, a chapter in a book
on world religions, or even a children's book. You might also find a booklet in the
Lobby or Gift Shop of the church/temple. Good information can often be found
online. Another way of obtaining information is to attend or discuss the ritual with
an informant who is a participant in the religion. Make sure to cite any sources you
use!
Doing the Fieldwork
The ritual can be a public ceremony such as a Sunday morning church service, a rite
of passage such as a wedding, or even a ritual held in a home. Make sure that it is a
religious ritual and substantial enough to do an analysis.
Make plans ahead of time to go to your site. If you do not have an informant to
go with, call ahead and make arrangements. Tell them who you are and why you
want to attend, find out when and where services are, and ask any additional
questions such as how to dress. If you are unsure about this last point, err on the
side of being too conservative. Your dress and behavior reflects on the college.
Attend the ritual, watching for things that will help you answer the questions
for the project. Consider discretely taking notes at the ceremony if this is allowed.
However, never make a recording without the permission of the person you are
speaking with and do not record the ritual without the permission of the person in
charge. If you are unable to take notes during the ritual, make sure to write down
your observations as soon as possible following the ritual. Keep all of your field
notes. I reserve the right to ask you to turn them in if I have some questions about
your work. If you asked for permission to attend the ritual, then sending a note of
appreciation afterwards would be a nice gesture. In general, while you are attending
the ritual you should do as they do. For example, if they stand, so should you. If they
are all wearing head coverings and they are provided, you should wear one too. The
exception is when it comes to actually participating in the ritual such as taking
communion in a Catholic church. If you are unsure, ask.
Do not wait until the last minute. Fieldwork does not always go as planned;
allow yourself time for unforeseen difficulties. This is not a paper that can be
written at the last minute.
General Guidelines for the Paper
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Your paper should be 1.5 spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins.
Save your file as either a word document (.doc or docx) or a PDF file for
submission.
Include your name, class and semester on the title page.
Explain everything in your own words using complete sentences.
Make sure you cite your sources. (Resource on citations:
http://libguides.lavc.edu/citing-sources)
Make a heading for each analysis section as indicated below.
Ritual Analysis
Include a separate heading for each section below. With the exception of the ritual
description, the questions for each section can be answered in a paragraph or two.
I. Ritual Observed
What religious ritual did you observe? Include religion (be specific), ritual, specific
location, and the date.
Include a picture of you that shows that you did the observation (e.g., in front of the
ritual location). Do not take pictures during the ritual without getting
permission! If you have problems meeting this requirement, please contact me.
II. Ritual Description
Describe the ritual that you observed. This should be an approximately three to
four page description of what you observed, including a description of the setting,
participants and religious specialists.
III. Ritual Classification
How would you classify this ritual? Was it prescriptive or situational? Was it
periodic or occasional? How would Wallace classify the ritual (e.g., therapy, social
rite of intensification, rite of passage, etc.)? Make sure to include all three
classifications.
Explain why you classified the ritual the way you did.
IV. Symbols
Describe the symbols you observed, making sure to include the meaning of
each. Include symbolic elements of time and space if appropriate.
V. Ritual Specialist
How would you classify the ritual specialist (i.e., priest or shaman)? What
characteristics led you to that decision?
VI. Altered States of Consciousness
Was there any evidence of altered states of consciousness? If yes, what
characterized the altered state? How was the altered state achieved?
If there was absolutely no evidence of altered states, contact me for further
instructions.
VII. Worldview
What is the worldview of this religion? How was this worldview reflected in the
ritual?
VIII. Conclusion
Write a paragraph or two on your own thoughts and responses to what you
observed.
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