Describe the symbols you observed, making sure to include the meaning of each. Include symbolic elements of time and space if appropriate.

While you are not required to do any reading on your religion, it might make this project easier. However, the paper is not a book report. Your sources might include an encyclopedia entry, a chapter in a book on world religions, or even a children’s book. You might also find a booklet in the Lobby or Gift Shop of the church/temple. Good information can often be found on the Internet. Another way of obtaining information is to attend or discuss the ritual with an informant who is a participant in the religion.

Question 1 of 7 (worth 10 points)

What religious ritual did you observe? Include religion (be specific), ritual, and location.

Question 2 of 7 (worth 18 points)

Describe the ritual that you observed. This should be an approximately three to four page description of what you observed, including a description of the setting, participants and religious specialists. At the end, make sure to include a paragraph or two on your own thoughts and responses to what you observed.

You may want to upload a file for the answer to this question. If so, make sure you name your file “LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Ritual_Observation.doc”.

Question 3 of 7 (worth 12 points)

How would you classify this ritual? Was it prescriptive or situational? Was it periodic or occasional? How would Wallace classify the ritual (e.g., therapy, social rite of intensification, rite of passage, etc).? Make sure to include all three classifications.

Explain why you classified the ritual the way you did.

Question 4 of 7 (worth 18 points)

Describe the symbols you observed, making sure to include the meaning of each. Include symbolic elements of time and space if appropriate.

Question 5 of 7 (worth 12 points)

How would you classify the ritual specialist (i.e., priest or shaman)? What characteristics led you to that decision?

Question 6 of 7 (worth 12 points)

Was there any evidence of altered states of consciousness? If yes, what characterized the altered state? How was the altered state achieved?

Question 7 of 7 (worth 18 points)

What is the worldview of this religion? How was this worldview reflected in the ritual?