The aim of this course is to introduce selected theoretical approaches in anthropology and sociology of religion.

Starting from approaches to religion developed by Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx and finishing with the most current developments, this course provides a concise overview of the main anthropological and sociological discussions concerning religion, magic, belief, lived religion, religion/secular divide in anthropology, with some excursions towards studies of ritual.

The focus is on showing and following the links between theory and qualitative research, especially ethnography and exploring continuities in certain lines of methodological and theoretical thinking from the early works to the present days.   

All readings will be provided in electronic format.

Recommended course book (optional):

Lambek, Michael, ed. A Reader in the Anthropology of Religion. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2002 (or 2008).