爆料王

Unit outline_

ANTH2635: Ghosts, Spirits, and Energies

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

We live in a disenchanted world, a 鈥渕odern world鈥 devoid of mystery, myth, and magic鈥攐r so we are told. But as anthropology shows us, if this was ever so, it is certainly not true today. From the spread of 鈥減ost-truth鈥 conspiracies, to the rise of religious nationalisms, to the growing popularity of animist thought amid ecological crisis, this unit explores the ways in which contemporary life is shot through with enchantments both emancipatory and oppressive. Exploring encounters with humans and more-than-human others鈥攇hosts, demons, aliens, robots, witches, astrological signs鈥攚e also ask whether anthropology might itself be invested in certain modes of enchantment, for better and worse.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Anthropology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Anthropology
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Edwards, michael.edwards@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written work Research Essay
Produce a final essay building on Preliminary Research Exercise and Oral Examination
35% Formal exam period
Due date: 22 Nov 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Nov 2026
2000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Portfolio or journal Weekly Writing Assignments
Short responses to assigned readings
15% Multiple weeks 10 x 100 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
In-class quiz Early Feedback Task Multiple-choice Quiz
Short multiple-choice quiz on content from Weeks 1鈥3
10% Week 03
Due date: 23 Aug 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Aug 2026
500-word equivalent AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Written work Preliminary Research Exercise
Short data collection and preliminary analysis task
20% Week 06
Due date: 13 Sep 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Sep 2026
500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Interactive oral Oral Examination
Interactive oral presentation and discussion of chosen book
20% Week 13
Due date: 08 Nov 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 08 Nov 2026
500-word equivalent AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.听

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Distinction

75 - 84

Credit

65 - 74

Pass

50 - 64

Fail

0 - 49

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.听

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the听Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Stay in touch with the lecturer and tutor throughout the semester, especially if you get behind. You can always catch up; we want to give students an opportunity to do their best work.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website听provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the听Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)听which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a听simple extension.鈥 The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for听special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,听听includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy听reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Belief and doubt Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Divination and Possession Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Divination and Possession Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 God(s) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
God(s) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Freedom and Ethics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Freedom and Ethics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Death and Haunting Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Death and Haunting Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Time and Apocalypse Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Time and Apocalypse Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Field Trip Week Fieldwork (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Spiritual Stuff Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Spiritual Stuff Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Religious Senses and Sensational Religion Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Religious Senses and Sensational Religion Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Gods, States and Sovereignty Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Gods, States and Sovereignty Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Religion and Violence Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Religion and Violence Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Secularism and the Secular Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Secularism and the Secular Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 The Return of Enchantment? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The Return of Enchantment? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner鈥檚 Board. The Examiner鈥檚 Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours鈥 preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library鈥檚 reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Outline the histories of anthropological approaches to 鈥渕odernity鈥 and 鈥渟ecularism鈥 and their contemporary importance
  • LO2. Identify key themes in the anthropology of religion, reason, and the secular through recent ethnographic examples
  • LO3. Compare ethnographic accounts of various non-human and more-than-human encounters, in conversation with their own personal experience
  • LO4. Distinguish the political dimensions and outcomes of claims about enchantment, disenchantment and secularism
  • LO5. Reflexively evaluate anthropology鈥檚 different methodological stances in the study of magic, spirituality, and rationality.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

As this is a new unit, feedback will be especially helpful for shaping it for the benefit of future students.

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .