RLB296 Introduction to Pagan Studies

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Adam Anczyk (lecturer), doc. PhDr. Luboš Bělka, CSc. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. David Václavík, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Lucie Čelková
Timetable
Tue 1. 11. 15:50–17:25 pracovna, Wed 2. 11. 17:30–19:05 pracovna, Thu 3. 11. 10:50–12:25 pracovna, Fri 4. 11. 10:50–12:25 pracovna, Mon 7. 11. 9:10–10:45 pracovna, Tue 8. 11. 15:50–17:25 pracovna, Wed 9. 11. 17:30–19:05 pracovna, Thu 10. 11. 10:50–12:25 pracovna, Fri 11. 11. 10:50–12:25 pracovna, Mon 14. 11. 9:10–10:45 pracovna, Tue 15. 11. 15:50–17:25 pracovna, Wed 16. 11. 17:30–19:05 pracovna, Fri 18. 11. 10:50–12:25 pracovna
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Outcomes: the course aims at providing students with general knowledge about contemporary Paganism; students will acquire knowledge on Paganism in all aspects of the phenomenon – from historical roots to psychological portrait of a follower; also an emphasis will be put on the practical skills: how to conduct a research in the field of New Religious Movements (field research, analysis of the cultural material: movies, fiction etc.).
Syllabus
  • General Programme Classes will be divided into 5 meetings, and some empirical exercises done in home. 1. The roots of contemporary Paganism: basic definitions, Romantic revival, nationalism and Paganism. 2. Which witch is which? Cultural history of modern witchcraft and wicca. 3. Reconstucting the Past: Pagan movements in Scandinavia, Poland, Lithuania, Germany and Great Britain. 4. Many faces of contemporary druidry. 5. Why is it so popular? Psychosocial characteristic of contemporary followers of Paganism. Some readings, to be covered (in fragments): Adler M. Drawing Down the Moon. Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other Pagans in America. New York 2006. Anczyk A. The Image of Druids in Contemporary Paganism: Constructing the Myth, in: Neo-Pagan Movements in Central and Eastern Europe, Cracow 2011. Bonewits I., Bonewits’s Essential Guide to Druidism, New York 2006 Clifton C., In the Mists of Avalon: How the Contemporary Paganism Dodges the “Crisis of History” [conference materials], Salt Lake City 2009. Davy B., Introduction to Pagan Studies, New York 2006. Hutton R., Blood and Mistletoe. The History of the Druids in Britain, London 2009. Hutton R., Triumph of the Moon: A history of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, New York, 2006. Lawrence B. (ed.), Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans and Witches Today, New York, 2002.
Assessment methods
Methods of assessment: written essay/empirical work on a subject chosen by the student (the best ones will be published in a book on contemporary paganism) sent until the end of the semester or an exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2011/RLB296