GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE PAPER
For this assignment, you will be observing and analyzing a religious ritual of your choice. It can be any religious ritual but make sure it is substantial enough to write a paper about.
Your paper should be 1.5 spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins.
Save your file as either a word document (.doc or docx) or a PDF file for submission.
Include your name, class and semester on the title page.
Explain everything in your own words using complete sentences.
Make sure you cite your sources (Links to an external site.) if you use any.
Make a heading for each analysis section as indicated below.
THE PAPER
Include a separate heading for each section below. With the exception of the ritual description, the questions for each section can be answered in a paragraph or two.
I. Ritual Observed
What religious ritual did you observe? Include religion (be specific), ritual, specific location, and the date the ritual occurred (if available). If you watched a live streamed or recorded event, include the web address.
II. Ritual Description
Describe the ritual that you observed. This should be an approximately two to three page description of what you observed, including a description of the setting, participants and religious specialists. Describe step by step what happened during the ritual that you observed – this should be based on what you actually see. If you watch a live streamed or recorded event, you may have less to describe but make sure to still write about what was said and what happened in detail.
III. Ritual Classification
How would you classify this ritual? Was it prescriptive or situational? Was it periodic or occasional? How would Wallace classify the ritual (e.g., therapy, social rite of intensification, rite of passage, etc.)? Make sure to include all three classifications. Explain why you classified the ritual the way you did.
IV. Symbols
Describe the symbols you observed, making sure to include the meaning of each. Include symbolic elements of time and space if appropriate.
V. Ritual Specialist
How would you classify the ritual specialist (i.e., priest or shaman)? What characteristics led you to that decision?
VI. Altered States of Consciousness (or Mythology)
If the ritual involved altered states: What characterized the altered state? How was the altered state achieved? What was the meaning or importance of the altered state for this ritual?
If the ritual did not involve altered states: What was the role of mythology in this ritual? Did the ritual link to a specific story? Were myths read or reenacted as part of the ritual?
VII. Worldview
What is the worldview of this religion? How was this worldview reflected in the ritual? How did the worldview connect to aspects of the ritual such as symbols, myth, altered states of consciousness, etc.?
VIII. Conclusion
Write a paragraph or two on your own thoughts and responses to what you observed.