Shamanism evokes images of mystical journeys and exotic cultures in which ‘masters of spirits’ perform ecstatic cures.  Since Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception, popular interest in shamanism has increased dramatically and the role of ecstatic experience in other areas of culture has attracted comment from scholars in various disciplines. This course considers shamanism from an anthropological and historical perspective, but will also look at images of the shaman in popular culture, film, art and literature.  We will have the opportunity to consider specific cultures where shamanism is part of religious life, such as Inuit and Native North American peoples.  We will also examine material relating to the classical world and to cultures such as Celts and Finno-Ugric peoples where shamanic practices are reflected in the ancient literature. This is a course for anyone interested in shamanism and the rich variety of sources, both anthropological and popular, will help us to understand shamanism and its relevance for a modern urban world 

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of shamanism as an historical and as a contemporary phenomenon
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices associated with shamanism in a variety of cultures
• Demonstrate the ability to extract and information on Shamanism from relevant sources and then analyse and evaluate it.
• Demonstrate the ability to use information from class and independent research to construct an academically-sound argument. 

The module will be delivered through nine 2-hour sessions on weekday evenings from 7-9pm. These sessions will consist of a 1-hour lecture followed by class discussion and group work on specific topics relating to the module. The discussion and group work will enable the students to think critically and contribute to the debates and topics presented during the lectures. The discussion-led sessions and the lectures will be supplemented by resources available to the students via Learning Central. 

• The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively, whether in class discussion or in written form
• The ability to work effectively with others in groups and to learn collaboratively through discussion and interaction
• The ability to think critically, analyse sources, evaluate arguments, and challenge assumptions.
• The ability to formulate and justify their own arguments and conclusions and present appropriate supporting evidence
• The ability to locate relevant resources in the library and online and use them appropriately in academic work
• The ability to use a range of information technology resources to assist  with information retrieval and assignment presentation
•  The ability to independently organise study methods, manage time effectively, and prioritise workload to meet deadlines

Formative assessment / feedback will occur on a weekly basis through class discussion and group work. 

Introduction and Terminology

This session will introduce students to the basic concepts and terminology which are relevant to the topic or shamanism and present an overview of the topics to be covered in this course.

Early Descriptions and Theoretical Perspectives;

This session will look at the history of shamanic studies, the earliest contacts between Europeans and non-European shamans, and how these shamanic practices were perceived in Europe

Shamanism in Literature and Film

This session will examine how shamanism has been presented in different media, Examples will include Kurasawa’s Roshomon & John Boorman’s The Emerald Forest; Nicolas Roerich and his influence on theatre and examples of anthropological films

Shamanism in Literature and Film

This session will form the second part of the unit begun in week 3

 Shamanism and Megaliths: Prehistoric Aspects of Shamanism. 

The archaeological evidence for shamanism has become a much discussed topic and this session will consider some of the arguments for and against this aspect of the topic. 

Kalevalasongs, Ainu chants and Sedna carvings

This session will look at three examples in which shamanism has affected literature and art

Shamans and Modern Paganism.

This is an area which is expanding as modern spirituality movements integrate as shamanic practices into their belief system. This session will pay particular attention the druids both as (possible) historical practitioners and as the focus for the creation of a modern shamanic worldview.

Tarantism and the Zar cults:  

This session will consider the relationship between shamanic and ecstatic cults using through the examples of tarantism and the zar cult

Museum visit

One session will be devoted to a practical view with students able to examine material both printed and physical that are relevant to the course topic [the exact date of this to be arranged]  

Essential

Graham HarveyShamanism a reader Routledge 2003

Ronald Hutton, Shamans: Siberian spirituality and the western imagination Continuum 2010

Robert J. Wallis Shamans/neo-Shamans: ecstasy, alternative archaeologies and contemporary pagans London  2003

Frederic Laugrand and Jarich Oosten The Sea Woman Sedna in Inuit Shamanism and Art in the Eastern Artic Univ of Alaska 2008

Neil S. Price. Ed., The archaeology of shamanism London, 2001.

Recommended

Mircea Eliade, Shamanism : archaic techniques of ecstasy trans. W. R. Trask Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1964.

Piers Vitebsky, The Shaman: voyages of the soul, trance, ecstasy and healing from Siberia to the Amazon  London, 2001.

I. M. Lewis, Ecstatic religio : a study of shamanism and spirit possession  3rd ed. London , 2003.

Kenneth Meadows,. Shamanic experience, : a practical guide to contemporary shamanism  Element, 1991

Jenny Blain, Nine worlds of seid-magic : ecstasy and neo-shamanism in north European paganism London ; New York : Routledge, 2002.

HeriPaul Francfort, Reberte Hamayon Paul G Bahn The Concept of Shamnism uses and Abuses  (International Society for shamanistic Research Chantilly France (Budapest :1997)

Michael Ripinsky-Naxon, The Nature of shamanism substance and function of a religious Metaphor. New York University Press 1993

Marion Gibson, Imagining the Pagan past gods and goddesses in literature and history since the Dark Ages  Routledge 2013

Michael Ripinsky-Naxon The Nature of shamanism substance and function of a religious Metaphor. New York University Press 1993

Marion Gibson, Imagining the Pagan past gods and goddesses in literature and history since the Dark Ages  Routledge 2013

Anna-Leena Siikala, The rite technique of the Siberian shaman FF communication Finland 1978

Raymon L.M Lee, The challenge of religion after modernity: beyond disenchantmentAshgate 2002

Jean Clottes, The shamans of prehistory: trance and magic in the painted caves New York: Harry N. Abrams1998

Kaj Arhem, Makuna: portrait of an Amazonian people Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press1998

Peter B Clark ed., The study of religion, traditional and new religions The World’s religions Series Routledge 1988 rpr 1991