HISTORY OF RELIGIONS II

Course objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the methodological, critical and applicable aspects of the Discipline; it proposes geographical areas and sectorial perspectives in which related projects are activated; it shows the variability of fields of interest; it enables the student to master the specific topics in order to use them and apply them in other fields of study while using the correct specific language. With the acquired knowledge the student will be able to develop autonomous ability of connections with other disciplines in the various historical epochs and cultural contexts.

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SERGIO BOTTA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
As a case study, the course aims to investigate shamanism as a central category in contemporary religious landscape. The course will investigate the most recent methodological and theoretical approaches to shamanism developed in the history of religious studies. The course will aim to propose an “archaeology” of shamanism as a contribution to the debate on religion – through the lens of indigenous religions – from XVII to XXI century.
Prerequisites
At the beginning of the course, the student must have a basic understanding of the methods and theories in the study of religions.
Books
1. Appunti del corso e materiali didattici; 2. S. Botta, Dagli sciamani allo sciamanesimo. Discorsi, credenze, pratiche, Carocci, Roma 2018; Uno a scelta tra i seguenti testi 1. J.-L. Amselle, Psicotropici. La fiera dell’ayahuasca nella foresta amazzonica, Meltemi, Roma 2020. 2. L. Arcari, A. Saggioro (a cura di), Sciamanesimo e sciamanesimi. Un problema storiografico (Sapienza Sciamanica, 3), Nuova Cultura, Roma 2015. 3. S. Beggiora, Il cosmo sciamanico. Ontologie indigene fra Asia e Americhe, Franco Angeli, Milano 2019. 4. S. Botta, M. Ferrara, Corpi sciamanici. La nozione di persona negli studi sullo sciamanesimo (Sapienza Sciamanica, 4), Nuova Cultura, Roma 2017. 5. S. De Matteis, Gli sciamani non ci salveranno, Elèuthera, Milano 2023. 6. E. Viveiros de Castro, Prospettivismo cosmologico in Amazzonia e altrove, Quodlibet, Roma 2019.
Frequency
The lessons will predominantly be conducted in a frontal manner; however, in order to apply the acquired knowledge, exercises, readings, and case studies will be proposed.
Exam mode
The assessment method is oral, with open-ended stimuli and responses, and takes place at the end of the course. In the evaluation, concerning attending students, consideration will be given to their abilities to apply knowledge and comprehension, attendance, and participation in the course, particularly regarding group discussion moments.
Lesson mode
The lessons will predominantly be conducted in a frontal manner; however, in order to apply the acquired knowledge, exercises, readings, and case studies will be proposed.
  • Lesson code1036626
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseHistory, Anthropology, Religions
  • CurriculumTeorie e pratiche dell'antropologia
  • Year3rd year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDM-STO/06
  • CFU6