Anthropology of Religion

Definitions and theories of religion: This topic explores the different ways institutions and scholars define religion, and theories which help to explain the origin of religions.

The sacred and the profane: This explores the concepts of sacred objects and places, as well as the binary oppositions between the sacred and profane in different cultures.

Rituals and rites of passage: This involves taking a closer look at religious practices, such as initiation rites, marriage rituals, and funeral ceremonies.

Myths and legends: This topic covers the creation myths and religious stories shared by different cultures.

Taboo, purity, and pollution: This examines how different cultures define things that are forbidden or taboo, and how they deal with concepts of purity and pollution within the realm of religion.

Symbolism and signs: This explores the use of symbols, signs, and imagery in religions.

Witchcraft and sorcery: This involves studying the ways in which different cultures practice magic, sorcery, and witchcraft.

Gender and religion: This looks at the ways in which gender roles and identities are constructed, and how different religions interact with gender norms in different cultures.

Power and authority in religion: This topic explores how religious leaders and institutions hold power and maintain authority.

Religion and colonialism: This examines the impact of colonialism on religious traditions and practices in different cultures.

Secularization: This looks at how modernization and cultural change have affected religion around the world.

Religion and globalization: This explores how religion has been impacted by globalization, and how it is sometimes co-opted into political or economic agendas.

New religious movements: This involves investigating newer religious movements and their relevance in contemporary society.

Cognitive Anthropology of Religion: Examines how people understand and interpret religious beliefs and practices, as well as how these beliefs relate to other aspects of culture and cognition.

Ethnography of Religion: Describes and analyzes religious beliefs and practices in specific communities or cultural contexts, with an emphasis on participant observation and fieldwork.

Comparative Anthropology of Religion: Compares religious beliefs, practices, and institutions across cultures or historical periods, focusing on similarities and differences.

Historical Anthropology of Religion: Explores the historical development of religious institutions, practices, and beliefs in specific cultural and social contexts.

Psychological Anthropology of Religion: Examines the psychological dimensions of religious beliefs and practices, including the ways in which religion can shape individual attitudes and behaviors.

Anthropology of Christianity: Focuses on the beliefs, practices, and institutions of Christian communities around the world, as well as the ways in which Christianity intersects with other cultural and social realities.

Anthropology of Islam: Examines the beliefs, practices, and institutions of Muslim communities around the world, as well as the ways in which Islam intersects with other cultural and social realities.

Anthropology of Judaism: Focuses on the beliefs, practices, and institutions of Jewish communities around the world, as well as the ways in which Judaism intersects with other cultural and social realities.

Anthropology of Hinduism: Explores the beliefs, practices, and institutions of Hindu communities around the world, as well as the ways in which Hinduism intersects with other cultural and social realities.

Anthropology of Buddhism: Examines the beliefs, practices, and institutions of Buddhist communities around the world, as well as the ways in which Buddhism intersects with other cultural and social realities.