Can’t do an assignment? Get it done by a trustworthy essay writing service
For this paper, you will visit a local religious institution of your choice (could be something online) and observe a ritual. You will then write a six- to eight-page essay (double spaced, 12-pt. font) describing the ritual and analyzing it in light of the theories of ritual
Two Sections
Part I: Describe the religious ritual you visited. Be sure to include specifics (location, time, date, etc.). Please note: you must attend a religious ceremony outside your own tradition.(i’m an atheist so any works out) The paper does not require that you know or attempt to provide a theological explanation for the ritual. Therefore, you may observe a religious ritual that uses a language that you don’t understand. Your description involves the ritual’s symbolic activity. Describe what is done that establishes the structure of the ritual. In other words, what took place that suggests the beginning, middle, and end of the ritual you attended? Reserve your analysis of religious symbolization for Part II (see below). Concentrate primarily on providing a detailed description of what you observe.
You can include a description of the place or structure in which the ritual occurred; sounds such as music, bells, spoken words; or other visual, auditory, or olfactory cues. Was there a threshold or a special place of visual focus? Did sounds signal changes in the ritual? Did movements signal changes in the ritual? Was there a ritually important figure, did they wear distinct clothing, a distinct hairdo? Was their vocal intonation performative? What roles did the audience play?
Part II: Analyze the ritual. How did the symbolic activity suggest a beginning or preparation? What happened after the opening and what did it symbolize? What was done to exit or conclude the ceremony? Did you note any taboos associated with the participants or paraphernalia? How did the design or layout of the place where the ritual happened contribute to the ritual drama?
You must analyze the symbolic structure of the ritual in light of our assigned readings. In Zuesse’s article “Ritual” , he discusses definitions of ritual, interpretation of ritual, and types of ritual. After carefully reading Zuesse and the handout “What is a Ritual?” you must make an attempt to classify the type of ritual you have observed. Does the ritual that you observed and analyzed adhere to one of these classic models? If so, in what manner? Should your ritual follow neither model (Sacrificial Rites or Rites of Passage) then explain how the ritual was different
Sample Outline
I. Ritual Structure [2-3 pages]
[Be sure to address preliminaries: who, what, when, where]
IA. Beginning
IB. Middle
IC. End
II. Analysis [3-4 pages]
IIA. Discussion of Religious Symbolization
IIB. Type of Ritual?
Can’t do an assignment? Get it done by a trustworthy essay writing service