About Anthropology 8: Witchcraft, Magic, and Religion

• Sections of this course are offered either online or in person at CCSF every semester (excluding summer)

• View a sample syllabus

Join us as we explore different supernatural belief systems across the globe. Using an anthropological framework, we will cover both small-scale indigenous beliefs and global religious traditions. As a human universal which sets us apart from all other animal species, supernatural belief systems are a key area of study in anthropology. This class offers a cross-cultural exploration of magic, witchcraft, and religion, and analysis of the context in which such beliefs and practices exist, including culture, gender, social class, ethnicity, and geography. This class is designed for anthropology majors and anyone interested in the vast variety of past and present belief systems.  

• Anth 8 is a 3-unit, GE-transferrable course. 

• Anth 8 meets CSU GE Area - D. Social Sciences and IGETC Area - 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences 

Fall 2025 Schedule (2 sections)

 I will email the syllabus to all enrolled & waitlisted students one week prior to the start of the semester. 

ANTH 8 CRN# 73923 (In-person)

• This class is a 17.5  week full-term class, and a 3-unit course 

• This class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:10 PM - 3:25 PM

• Room: Judson Village 803 (Ocean Campus)

ANTH 8 CRN# 70097 (online)

• This class is a 16 week, late-start class, and a 3-unit course 

• Asynchronous and fully online with no required meetings

Important Dates: 

• In person class starts: August 18, 2025

• Online class starts: September 2, 2025

• Last Day to Drop with full refund: August 29, 2025

• Last Day to Add: September 5, 2025

• Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: September 5, 2025

• Flex Day: October 13, 2025

• Midterms End: October 17, 2025

• Veteran’s Day Holiday: November 11, 2025

• Last Day to Drop with a W or apply for leave of absence: November 13, 2025

• Fall Break: November 27 – December 30, 2025

• Finals Period: December 12 – 19, 2025

• All CCSF Classes end: December 19, 2025 

In-person Course policies:

Regular attendance, timely completion of assignments and papers, and keeping up with the required readings is your key to success. The class structure will include: lecture, discussion of the readings and selected topics, interactive small-group exercises and discussions, occasional guest lectures, and films. 

Adds/drops:

• For in-person classes, I do not give out add codes over email. Please come to class and talk to me if you wish to obtain an add code.

• Students can miss no more than 6 hour of absences (2 weeks of school), unless there are verified extenuating circumstances. Unfortunately, students with excessive absences may be dropped from the class if you don't reach out to me 

Online Course policies:

Expect to spend 8-10 hours per week on the course (this includes doing readings, watching films and videos, completing assignments and participating in discussion, weekly quizzes, and other activities). Students are required to login every week and complete their assigned tasks. CCSF uses Canvas as our Learning Management System. This is not a self-paced course. 

Adds/drops:

• If the class is full and you would like to add, please email me. Note that I will prioritize people who are on the wait list. 

• During week 1 of our class, if you do not log in and complete all of the required modules, quizzes, and activities, you will be withdrawn from the class as a “no show.”  

• After the first week of class, students who do not log in and/or submit assignments for more than a 2-week period may be dropped from the class (unless there are extenuating circumstances)