Prerequisite: A Taste for the Life of the Mind. You don't have to have taken other courses in the area of culture to take this course. But this course does assume some modest familiarity with a few things (e.g., the basic premises of Marxism, the meaning of "postmodernism," how to write a serious research paper). So to be comfortable in this course you either have to know those things or --even better -- be willing to learn a little about the things you don't know on your own initiative. (Sometimes this is as easy as simply asking a few questions in and out of class, or looking up words in a dictionary. Sometimes a little background reading is helpful.)
Assignments: class participation, including demonstrating that you've done assigned readings, (~15%), a ritual analysis paper (~20%), a final research paper or project (~60%), and perhaps some additional assignments to be announced. I am usually happy to be flexible with deadlines if you notify me one week in advance; if you notify me later than that, I won't be. All assignments must be completed to pass the course.
Texts: The required readings are available on electronic reserve at the UVM library and/or via the course web site.