Prerequisits

There are no specific prerequisites. However, prior knowledge of basic theories and research methods in ethnology, anthropology, folklore studies, cultural heritage studies, or related fields—is recommended.

Content (Syllabus outline):

The course addresses rituality as one of the fundamental forms of intangible cultural heritage and as a key practice in shaping social, symbolic, and cultural life. Rituals are examined from the perspectives of universality and cultural specificity, with particular emphasis on contemporary processes of heritagization, questions of authenticity, interpretation, representation, festivalization, and the roles of gender and power.

Structure

1. Historical Overview:
   • Research on rituals in the European and Slovenian contexts;
   • influences of global theories;
   • positioning rituality within the heritage discourse.

2. Thematic Overview:
   • Ritual as heritage;
   • language, structure, typology;
   • performative aspects;
   • ritual and power;
   • rituality and gender;
   • public vs. private;
   • contemporary manifestations.

3. Empirical Studies:
   • Study of a specific ritual;
   • fieldwork analysis;
   • preparation of a publishable text.

Temeljni literatura in viri

• Bell, Catherine. Ritual: Perspectives and Dimensions. Oxford, 1997.
• Bell, Catherine. Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice. Oxford, 2009.
• Durkheim, Émile. Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Oxford, 2008.
• Eliade, Mircea. Zgodovina religioznih verovanj in idej. Ljubljana, 1996.
• Fikfak, Jurij. Pogledi na ritualnost in ritualne prakse na Slovenskem. Traditiones 37 (2), 2008, str. 45–59.
• Handelman, Don. Models and mirrors: Towards an anthropology of public events. Oxford, 1998.
• Kertzer, David. Ritual, Politics, and Power. Yale, 1988.
• Kotnik, Franc. Slovenske starosvetnosti. Nekaj zapiskov, orisov in razprav. Ljubljana, 1943.
• Kozorog, Miha. Festivalski kraji: Koncepti, politike in upanje na periferiji. Ljubljana, 2013.
• Kreinath, Jens, Jan Snoek in Michael Stausberg. Theorizing rituals: Classical topics, theoretical approachess, analytical concepts. Leiden, 2008.
• Kuret, Niko. Praznično leto Slovencev. Starosvetne šege in navade od pomladi do zime. I–II. Celje, 1989.
• Ložar Podlogar, Helena. V adventu snubiti – o pustu ženiti. Svatbene šege Ziljanov. Celovec, 1995.
• Orel, Boris. Slovenski ljudski običaji. V. Ložar, Rajko (ur.), Narodopisje Slovencev. I. Ljubljana, 1944, str. 263–349.
• Orel, Boris. 1952. Slovenski ljudski običaji. V: Grafenauer, Ivan in Boris Orel (ur.), Narodopisje Slovencev. II. Ljubljana, 1952, str. 134–165.
• Poljak Istenič, Saša. Tradicija v sodobnosti: Janče – Zeleni prag Ljubljane. Ljubljana, 2013.
• Simonič, Peter. Kaj si bo narod mislil? Ritual slovenske državnosti. Ljubljana, 2009.
• Turner, Victor. The Ritual Process. Berlin, 1969.
• Van Gennep, Arnold. The Rites of Passage. Chicago, 1960.
• UNESCO. Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003

Objectives and competences

Course Objectives

• To develop an understanding of rituality as an element of intangible cultural heritage.
• To become familiar with key theories and methodologies in the study of rituals, heritagization processes, and festivalization.
• To critically assess heritage policies and practices that institutionalize rituals.
• To reflect on the roles of gender, power, and the public/private divide in shaping rituals as heritage.

General competences

• Critical thinking and independent research.
• Academic expression (written and oral).
• Integration of theory and empirical research.
• Interdisciplinary understanding of intangible heritage.

Subject-specific competences:

• Knowledge of theories of rituality and heritage concepts.
• Analysis of rituals in the context of heritage policies and festivalization.
• Understanding of heritagization processes (authenticity, interpretation, representation).
• Exploration of rituals through the lenses of gender, power, and public/private practices.
• Preparation of a scholarly contribution connecting rituality and heritage

Intended learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

• describe the theoretical foundations of rituality and intangible heritage;
• analyze rituals as heritage practices;
• compare theoretical models for understanding rituals;
• interpret rituals in relation to power, gender, the public/private divide, and processes of heritagization and festivalization;
• conduct independent field research on a ritual;
• prepare and present a scholarly paper in an academic setting;
• critically evaluate the role of rituals in shaping identities and cultural heritagization.

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching
• Work in smaller groups or pair work
• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Work with texts
• Case studies
• Different presentation
• Field work (e.g. company visits)

Assessment:

• Long written assignments 70 %
• Final examination (written/oral) 30 %

Lecturer’s references

• POLJAK ISTENIČ, Saša. Tradicija v sodobnosti: Janče – zeleni prag Ljubljane. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU, 2013.
• POLJAK ISTENIČ, Saša. Družbeno ustvarjanje praznikov: med dediščino, identiteto in trajnostnim razvojem. Etnolog [Nova vrsta] 23(74), 2013, str. 27-48.
• POLJAK ISTENIČ, Saša. Classical concepts, new perspectives: what’s up with agricultural rituals? Slovenský národopis 62(2), 2014, str. 182-196