What is shamanism? What is trance? What was the nature of the earliest human religion, and what will religion look like in the future? This new 2-unit course will introduce students to shamanism (and, to a lesser extent, witchcraft). We will look at how shamanism compares across societies, examine its psychological foundations and cultural evolution, probe its deep history, and seek to understand how elements of shamanism resonate in contemporary, industrialized societies. Along the way, students will develop a better understanding of comparative, evolutionary, and cognitive approaches to culture.
Course Description: GE credit: Social Sciences, World Cultures
Prerequisite(s): None
Quarter(s): Winter 2025
Instructor(s): Manvir Singh