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Introduction to the key theoretical debates in the anthropology of the body and the anthropology of religion

Development of analytical perspectives on religiosity and the corporeal dimension of culture and society

In the course ‘body and religion’ we will explore the corporeal dimension of religiosity. Genuflection in Catholic religious practice, pilgrimages on foot and yoga practices show the significance of the body in the religious field. Conceptualizing religion as faith in God or as transcendent experience, thus situating religiosity in the human mind, does not suffice to capture the corporeality of religious actors. Key theoretical debates in the anthropology of the body and the anthropology of religion are the starting point from which we inquire into the significance of the body for religion. Theoretical perspectives will be supplemented with a more practical point of view by the discussion of case studies and small, hands-on research projects.

literature discussions, empirical research projects

oral presentation, seminar paper or research report

Jeggle, Utz: Im Schatten des Körpers. Vorüberlegungen zu einer Volkskunde der Körperlichkeit. In: Zeitschrift für Volkskunde (1980), Vol. 76, 169-188.

McGuire: Religion and the Body: Rematerializing the Human Body in the Social Sciences of Religion. In: Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (1990), Vol. 29, H. 3, 283-296.

Mohrmann, Ruth (Hrsg.): Alternative Spiritualität heute. Münster 2010.

Scharfe, Martin: Über die Religion. Glaube und Zweifel in der Volkskultur. Köln 2004.