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Spring 2003
Instructors: Natalie Kononenko, Robert Efird
Course description:
Linear, logical thinking is privileged in our society. When we are consciously aware of thinking we are usually practicing linear thought. Yet, beneath our awareness, we also practice another type of thinking. This type of thought is non-linear and associative, what some call cluster thinking. Cluster thinking is the thinking behind magic. It is the thinking that makes us worry about spilling salt and walking under ladders. It is the thinking that leads us to believe, probably at an unconscious level, that a beautiful wedding will insure a successful marriage, or that using a cosmetic advertised by a movie star will transfer to us some of her good looks.
Because associative thinking is often done outside of awareness, we will seek to make it conscious by looking at magic practices in cultures different from our own. Specifically, we will examine East Slavic (Russian and Ukrainian) magic in its various forms. We will then look at phenomena closer to our own culture. Experimentation is part of this course. Our purpose will not be to ascertain whether magic "works." We will try to determine, and then describe, how associative thinking works and how people feel when they use this type of thinking.
Course goals:
1) To explore the nature of associative or cluster thinking. One of our central tasks will be to bridge the gap between conscious and associative thought, to seek to describe associative thinking and to make it conscious. Associative thinking is used for practical purposes, such as marketing. Thus, understanding how it works can be most useful. Associative thinking also helps with the construction of hypertext where links are multidimensional and often nonlinear.2) To learn about a culture that is different from our own. The cultures of Russia and Ukraine, especially in their rural, folk versions, are decidedly non-Western. Exploring these cultures fosters sensitivity to cultural diversity and the ability to approach problems differently and in creative ways.
3) To practice data collection and analysis. Many students get no experience collecting their own data; they rely solely on published sources, the data collected by others. Yet, the ability to gather one's own material is vital. Folklore fieldwork provides an excellent opportunity for data gathering and analysis.
4) To develop the usual skills: critical thinking, oral and written presentation.
Course requirements: To get you to do this I will ask you to
1) Do the readings (see below).2) Attend lecture. Lectures will present data that is not in the readings. There has been a great deal of excellent folklore and ethnographic work done in Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states, yet much of it has not been translated into English. I will use lectures to present these materials that are not available elsewhere. I will also use lecture to perform some traditional Russian and Ukrainian magic acts on you. As you will see below, I will expect you to go out and do some fieldwork. Before you do, we will perform sample magic acts in lecture. You will be responsible for the material that is presented in lecture.
3) Complete three projects:
a) You will either compose an incantation, using a Russian pattern, or make a talisman analogous to Russian magic objects. You will submit this along with a discussion of the constituent elements of your text or object and the rationale behind your work.
b) You will collect an American (or foreign, if you wish) commercial and analyze it as a magic act.
c) You will design a magic act, using traditional patterns OR come up with your own innovations. You will then perform that act on or for the general public, then interview your audience. Your goal will be to ascertain and to describe feelings and thought processes.
4) Participate actively in discussion section. This will be your chance to discuss the readings and the material presented in lecture and to practice your oral skills.
5) Write a set of short response papers based on your readings and on lecture.
6) Take exams based on your work.
Reading list:
1) W. F. Ryan, The Bathhouse at Midnight: Magic in Russia2) Gillian Bennett, Alas Poor Ghost: Traditions of Belief in Story and Discourse
3) Rena Jeanne Hanchuk. The Word and Wax: A Medical Folk Ritual Among Ukrainians in Alberta
4) Barbara Walker, ed. Out of the Ordinary: Folklore and the Supernatural
Grade break-up:
Class participation, contributions to discussions in section and in lecture - 20% of gradeShort response papers - 10%
Projects:
Incantation or talisman - 5%
Commercial - 5%
Magic act - 30%
Exams testing the materials presented in lecture and the readings:
Midterm exam - 10%; exam date: February 27
Final exam - 20%; exam date: May 9, 2PM
Second Writing Requirement: This course does not automatically satisfy the Second Writing Requirement, but you may use it for that purpose, if you wish. To satisfy the Second Writing Requirement, you must write a research paper of at least 10 pages and submit it once in rough draft form (due March 27) and once in final form (due April 24). This paper will be IN ADDITION to the three projects; it will not be a substitute for the projects or the short response papers. Rather, the paper will substitute for the final exam and will be worth as much as the final exam, or 20 % of your course grade. I will post a list of suggested topics no later than the middle of February.
Course Structure:
Unit one: Forms of magic
There are many, many forms of magic and those who practice magic acts most often do not consider them magic at all. Rather, they see their behavior as part of the natural order of things. To recognize magic acts, we need distance and so we will look at Russian and Ukrainian supernatural beliefs and magic practices.
We will also try out some of the practices in class and you will compose your incantation or make your talisman.
In conjunction with forms of magic, you will read Ryan's encyclopedic book. Because the book is encyclopedic, you should read it in its entirety, but you should avoid the temptation to memorize the data presented.
Unit two: The other world
Accessing the other world, the world of the spirits, is central to magic. I will present Russian and Ukrainian ideas about the other world in lecture and you will read Bennett for western ideas concerning spirits and the supernatural.
I will also have you watch some videos about near-death experiences and talk about Russian and Ukrainian concepts of obmiranie.
Unit three: Principles of magic
I will present some standard principles of magic. As noted in the beginning, magical thinking is radically different from logical thought and presenting magic logically is difficult. We will look at sets of oppositions to gain some sense of the principles of magic. In trying to look at principles, we will try to look at attitudes, especially toward people associated with magic. These attitudes tend toward extremes: either good or bad.
You will do your commercial analysis.
Unit four: Uses of magic
Because attitudes vary so drastically, what some people consider magic, others see as normal behavior. We will look at some practices that fall in this category, including ritual cures and telepathy. We will also look at culture as a factor: what is supernatural in one culture, such as the return of the dead, is expected in another.
In conjunction with this unit you will read Hanchuk's book about folk medicine and Walker's book about the supernatural.
We will also perform some of the rituals discussed.
At this point you should be ready for your big project. Your project will consist of several steps:
1) Select or make up your magic act. You will describe in writing what you are going to do and explain the reasoning behind it. You will also describe your target audience, explain your audience choice, and secure permission, if appropriate.2) Perform the magic act itself and conduct the follow-up interviews.
3) Present your raw data.
4) Present a preliminary analysis. Remember, your goal is NOT to determine whether or not magic works. Your goal is to examine how people think and feel.
5) Submit the final product. The final product should be a research paper about 5-10 pages long. The paper should be accompanied by an appendix with a description of your magic act and the interview data.
As you work on your project, you will present each step to either Bob or me. I hope to stop lecturing somewhere around the middle of April to allow time for work on the final project. In place of lecture and section, you will have mandatory meetings with me or with Bob. These meetings and the materials you present during the meetings and will be part of your project grade. We will then reconvene as a group during the last week of classes to sum up our work and to review.
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