Ritual as a Means to Make Sense of the World: Cosmology, Ritual, and Belief

Ritual as a Means to Make Sense of the World: Cosmology, Ritual, and Belief - Tuesday 21 April to 26 May 2026, 6pm to 8pm

We very much look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the University of Southampton. Unless otherwise stated, all courses will be taught in person at our Avenue Campus.

We would like to advise that you will need to have the appropriate technology and suitable internet connection in place, as we will be making use of online materials. At Southampton, we use a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Blackboard which is used to deliver learning materials and real-time online teaching for our students.

Ritual as a Means to Make Sense of the World: Cosmology, Ritual, and Belief

Anthropology can be described as the study of humanity. Part of this includes how humans understand the functioning of the world and indeed universe.  This understanding informs our daily actions and practice, becoming codified as ritual.  This course presents an introduction to the anthropological study of ritual.  We will investigate ritual across a wide geographical and temporal range of case studies, ending in the final session to create a contemporary ritual, either individually, or as a group(s) to comprehend our world. 

Utilising archived film, photographs, field recordings, iconography, text and anthropological accounts (ethnography) we will explore humanity’s attempts to make sense of the world and universe; whether this be through science, divine ancestors, spirits, or gods.  We will explore the cross-cultural (and temporal) similarities and differences, and how these cosmological understandings are put into practice in the form of ritual.

This 6-week course will take place at the Avenue Campus on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm starting on 21st April 2026 and finishing on 26th May 2026.

Please see our price list below:

• Standard price - £115.00
• Staff/student/alumni price - £100.00

Please note: if you select the staff or student price option, you must use an online store account that has been set up with your University email address and fill out your University staff or student ID number when prompted as part of the questionnaire data section.

When booking a course please consult our Terms and Conditions which set out our cancellation and refund policy.

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted.
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a booking.