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Lecturer(s)
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Mentel Andrej, Mgr. PhD.
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Bubík Tomáš, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
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Muczková Markéta, Mgr.
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Course content
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1. Problems of evolutionary development of cognitive capacities of modern man; 2. Evidence of early forms of symbolic-religious thinking and action in the Young Paleolithic, incl. Neanderthals issues; 3. The question of hunting cults and "shamanism" in the Young Paleolithic (murals, symbolism of burials); 4. Religious systems of the European Mesolithic and the problem of subrecent Siberian analogies; 5. Cognitive and religious aspects of transition to agricultural way of life; 6. Advanced forms of neolithic symbolic-religious systems; 7. The theory of "Indo-European" influence of pastoral societies in the Eneolithic and the development of polytheism; 8. Developed polytheistic religions of the Bronze Age; 9. Protohistoric religious systems of the Iron Age (Celts, Teutons, Slavs) 10. Problems of early Christianity in Bohemia and Moravia
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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unspecified
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Learning outcomes
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In the course, students will learn about the basic theories of the origin and development of religious thought by applying relevant theories to specific case studies. The time frame of the course will cover the period from the Paleolithic (the emergence of basic phenomena of religious thought and action) to the early historical period (developed polytheism). Emphasis will be placed especially on the period of "symbolic explosion" in the Young Paleolithic, on the period of Mesolithic hunters and gatherers of Europe, on the period of origin and development of religious systems of the first agricultural societies of the Near East, Balkans and Central Europe. Bronze Age and Iron Age). Students will be acquainted with the basic features of the general issue of possibilities and limitations of the study of prehistoric religious systems, which is based primarily on the analysis and synthesis of archaeological sources.
After completition of the course students will be able to understand the basic timeline in the development of religious forms of various types and their material and reconstructed ideological and ritual content. He/she will be aware of the methodological and theoretical difficulties of studying prehistoric religions; will be aware of the basic possible procedures for any further research on this issue.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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unspecified
Regular attendance (90%). The course will be completed by an oral exam.
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Recommended literature
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BAILEY, G. N. - SPIKINS, P. (Eds.):. Mesolithic Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008..
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BOYER, P.:. Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought. New York: Basic Books, 2001..
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CAUVIN, J.:. The Birth of Gods and the Origins of Agriculture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000..
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DRDA, P. - RYBOVÁ, A.:. Keltové a Čechy. Praha: Academia, 2002..
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GIMBUTAS, M.:. The Goddness and Gods of Old Europe. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1982..
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HODDER, I. (Ed.):. Religion in the Emergence of Civilization: Çatalhöyük as a Case Study. Cambridge: Cambridge.
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MITHEN, S.:. The Prehistory of the Mind: A Search for the Origins of Art, Science and Religion. London: Thames and.
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NEUSTUPNÝ, E. (Ed.):. Archeologie pravěkých Čech 4, Eneolit. Praha: ARÚ AV ČR, 2008..
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PODBORSKÝ, V.:. Náboženství pravěkých Evropanů. Brno: Masarykova Univerzita, 2006..
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PRICE, N.:. The Viking Way: Religion and War in Late Iron Age Scandinavia. Uppsala: Department of Archaeology and.
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