Myth, Ritual and Magic

This course examines some of the theoretical issues surrounding myth, ritual and magic as well as specific examples of their cultural expression. How do people make sense of themselves, their society and the world through myth and ritual? How do cosmology and belief systems help them gain and organize knowledge about the world and themselves? The course will be examining a number of occult and esoteric practices, that is, practices that were not commonly known to all members of society, including sufism, kabbalah, alchemy, and shamanism.