Film Analysis. Give four examples of hybridity involving specific religious traditions.

Transcription

1 Give four examples of hybridity involving specific religious traditions. Explain three theories of culture using the cartoon shown today. Explain Geertz s definition of religion using examples from any two traditions. 1 Film Analysis Congratulations on submitting!!! If you re not done and need help, please ask RLG101H: focus on writing General issues of structure, academic conventions, etc. Use of theory to interpret data Support of arguments with evidence 4

2 7. Culture Today Field Research Analysis Text + Lady Gaga Culture 1. Hybridity/syncretism 2. Theories of culture 3. Field research exercise Final exam 5 6 Field Research Analysis Instructions on Quercus Deadlines (submit everything to Quercus): Contract due Nov. 8 (with penalty) Photo + observations due Nov. 10 Outline due Nov. 10 Graded for completion only Field Research Analysis Quercus documents for Outline: 1. Instructions 2. Form Tutorial next week (Nov. 7): Bring draft of completed Field Research Outline Form (2 copies) 7 8

3 Field Research Analysis Quercus documents for final assignment: 1. Instructions 2. Advice + example paragraphs 3. Example paragraphs with comments 4. Grading rubric 5. Theories! Meant to HELP you with Nye s text (does not REPLACE Nye s text!) 9 Field Research Analysis Question: What do your observations of the religious service reveal about that service in relation to 2 theories of power? (or gender or culture) NOT looking for answers Offer an interpretation of the data Construct an argument based on evidence Audience: people who know NOTHING about religion (write for high school student!) 10 Field Research Analysis Field Research Analysis What is the meaning of a specific religious practice, symbol, object, etc.? Usually about insider perspective NOT what this assignment is about No additional research! Go beyond obvious/surface meanings 5 paragraphs: 1. Description of observations 1 2. Analysis of observations 1 3. Description of observations 2 4. Analysis of observations 2 5. Reflection Pattern 1 Theory 1 Pattern 2 Theory

4 Field Research Analysis Sample paragraphs: pattern/theme = blankets Analysis: use Durkheim s theory that ritual creates relationships (from chapter 6) Cannot use this theory in your assignment! Text + Lady Gaga IGUANA! Meaning of Texts? 15 16

5 Author Text Reader Authorship (p ): Michel Foucault + Roland Barthes Readers (p ): Wolfgang Iser + Stanley Fish Gender (p. 178): Judith Fetterley + Julia Leslie Language + interpretation (p ): Jacques Derrida Authorship Two issues re: meaning of a text: 1. Barthes: Death of the author (=author s intent is NOT important in determining the meaning[s] of a text) 2. Foucault: author s identity IS important in determining the meaning(s) of a text (status, expertise, gender, etc.) 19 Jacques Derrida The meanings of texts are variable Unstable links between words + reality Meaning of words not fixed Meaning affected by changes in history, geography, context, author, reader, etc. Monster? Christian cross? (Nye p. 137) 20

6 21 22 Possible Meanings Monster Evil creature Outcast, marginalized creature/person Christian cross Symbol of Christianity Possible Meanings Monster + cross =? Christianity is evil. Christianity is (or should be) about love for those who are marginalized. Symbol of peace, love, sacrifice Symbol of colonialism, genocide 23 24

7 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25: 35 40) You are from your father the devil. (John 8:44) Jacques Derrida 1. Texts are important 2. The meanings of texts are variable His blood be on our hands and on the hands of our children. (Matthew 25:27) 27 28

8 Culture: Review Culture! What is culture? Everything! What do we study (when we study culture)? Everything! Religions change over time, culture, etc. Three Christianities; Muslim bride in Bulgaria Culture Culture / religion: always changing Hybridity (syncretism) = mix of different cultures / religions (e.g., James Clifford) New circumstances/ideas/technology (not necessarily the same as hybridity) Result of mixing is often hard to understand / predict May be very POSITIVE 31 32

9 Song! Stadium Pow Wow by A Tribe Called Red, featuring Black Bear (2016) In Praise of Mixed Religion by William Harrison

10 37 38 Princess Leia Star Wars IV: A New Hope 39 40

11 Loch Ness Monster = Naga (Buddhism) Spider-Man 2 44

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13 49 50 #MuslimRage NO BEEF PEPPERONI AT PIZZA HUT?! #MuslimRage my dad when Pakistan s cricket team loses #MuslimRage no WiFi in the mosque #MuslimRage Lost your kid Jihad at the airport. Can't yell for him. #MuslimRage 51 52

14 HALLOWE EN! Anchored by a strong Jewish identity and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 are the originators of today s Jewish a cappella sound. 1. Celtic (Irish) festival Oct 31 Harvest, end of Autumn Physical and spiritual worlds come close Light bonfires to stay safe Pagan 53 HALLOWE EN! 2. All Saints Day (or All Hallows Day ) Catholic ritual (5th C?); originally in May Honour saints, pray for souls in purgatory Move to Nov 1 (8th C?) All Hallows Even = Oct 31 (replace Celtic ritual) Colonialism / syncretism / change HALLOWE EN! 3. Souling (ca. 1400s?) Medieval Catholic ritual (England, Ireland) Turnip lanterns! (=souls) Asking neighbours for prayers Asking for soul cakes, bread, charity

15 Culture Probably non-useful theories for assignment: Culture is what people do (Hall) Each group has its own culture (Tylor) Religion can also create divisions (Nye) Religion as social glue (Durkheim) 58 Culture Possibly useful theories for assignment: Sub-cultures and resistance (Hebdige) Power: popular vs. elite (Williams/Hall) Change/hybridity/syncretism (various) Religion = symbols, factuality, etc. (Geertz) Religion = society (Durkheim) Durkheim s theory: religion is merely society perceiving itself, misunderstanding that the sacred basis of the group is simply the sum of the social whole. (Nye p. 45) 59 60

16 61 62 Culture Possibly useful theories for assignment: Sub-cultures and resistance (Hebdige) Power: popular vs. elite (Williams/Hall) Change/hybridity/syncretism (various) Religion = symbols, factuality, etc. (Geertz) Religion = society (Durkheim) 63 64

17 Clifford Geertz: Religion is a system of symbols, which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long lasting moods and motivations in men [people] by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing those conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic. (Nye p. 47) Man: And Scotty beamed them to the Klingon ship, where they would be no tribble at all. Everyone: All power to the engines. Reservoir Dogs (1992) naturalistic anecdote it s the details that sell your story 67 68

18 Bhagavad Gita Jesus: And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. (Mark 16:17-18) Field Research Exercise! 71 72

19 Syncretism/Hybridity Your field research: which elements seem traditional and which seem Canadian? Examples of possible Canadian cultural elements? Use your judgement, make a reasonable case why something might not be traditional to the religion Syncretism/Hybridity Key question: What does hybridity mean? Questions to think about: In what ways is this religion open to CHANGE? In what ways is it NOT open to change? (These parts might be more sacred?) Popular Religion Steven Sutcliffe (Nye p ) Popular culture Music, videos, technology, etc. Different from elite culture Note: Popular religion is NOT the same as cultural/religious hybridity In what ways is this religion open to change? In what ways is it not open to change? 75 76

20 Indigenous? language? drum blankets natural items on blanket feather plants in pan + bowl location Non-Indigenous? language? clothing coffee cup + water bottles jar on blanket video camera frying pan folding chair December

21 Final Exam Past exams: Only look at ones with my name Note that I often change the course material Basic format and types of questions will be the same Final Exam Part 1 (20 Marks) - Multiple choice Possible to get 21/20 (#BonusQuestion!) Part 2 (20 Marks) - Short answers Choose 5 questions out of 10 options Part 3 (20 Marks) - Film analysis Final Exam Readings: Focus on material from lectures + tutorials Lecture slide questions Tutorial homework Key ideas + examples UNDERSTANDING Part 1 Question Which of the following points about ritual would Nye agree with? a) The meaning and purpose of a particular ritual can be different for each person who experiences it. b) A simple and somewhat useful definition of ritual is meaningful action. c) Ritual actions involve power relations. d) The same action might only be a ritual sometimes. e) All of the above

22 Part 2 Questions How might you use Derrida s theory of language to interpret Lady Gaga s use of monster in two very different ways? Why have religion scholars tended to focus on belief? Why is this a problem? Part 2 Questions How might you use Derrida s theory of language to interpret Lady Gaga s use of monster in two very different ways? Explain theory (meaning of words is not fixed; meaning affected by changes in context, author, reader, place, etc.) Monster = [2 possibilities] Monster + cross = [2 possibilities] Part 2 Questions Why have religion scholars tended to focus on belief? Why is this a problem? Development of Protestant Christianity Importance of faith over works (= emphasis on belief over actions) Many religion scholars come from Protestant cultures Part 2 Questions Why have religion scholars tended to focus on belief? Why is this a problem? Various meanings of belief (in English) No equivalent of belief in some other languages Sometimes belief is not (that) important 87 88