Essay of Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande Assignment

Assignment Task

The Essay will be based on the set text (book) for this unit by Evans-Pritchard - the abridged edition of Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande. You are asked to choose ONE of the following questions and to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the key concepts described in the book and discussed in classes and seminars.

Please note that each of the following questions is best answered through a thorough appreciation of the book. Essays that clearly demonstrate an inadequate reading of the book and/or inattention to the relevant question will lose marks.

That said, students might wish to acquaint themselves better with the phenomena covered in the book by watching the 1980s documentary about Zande witchcraft that can be found on YouTube. You can also watch the documentary about Evans-Pritchard. 

Students who choose their examples from the films rather than the book will lose marks for not demonstrating a good knowledge of the book.

In addition to knowledge of the book, the essay questions are designed to encourage comparison with other content covered in the unit. 

The feedback you will receive when your essay is marked and returned can be incorporated in the short answer pieces you write in the final assessment task. 

To summarize all of the above, keep in mind the following when writing your essay:

• Read the book Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande and show us you have done so and you will pass.
• Demonstrate that you've been thinking about why we choose to teach this book in this unit and you'll do better than pass.
• Carry it off with excellent writing skills, referencing, etc. and you'll do very well.
• It's that simple!

Answer ONE of the following

1. Human knowledge systems can explain natural phenomena by identifying facts and interpreting those facts according to accepted ideas concerning the nature of the world. Discuss.

2. Is the witch in the Zande kingdom described by Evans-Pritchard an example of what Hacking would call a 'made-up' being?

3. In what ways might the COVID pandemic be comparable to Zande witchcraft beliefs? How, then, might an appreciation of the Zande system of witchcraft beliefs and practices aid one's understanding of life in a pandemic?

4. Discuss the idea that all witches are everywhere the same. They do the same thing and they are treated the same way.

5. In what ways is the Zande witch comparable to an historical European classification of race such as what Gould describes?

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