Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course and possible expulsion from the university. Five points is subtracted for each infraction (e.g. less than 5 pages, etc.). Do not turn in paper with just quotes; use quotes only to illustrate.
Preparation
- Read the 5-page article, ‘Superstition and Ritual in American Baseball’ available on Canvas.
- Review discussion of ritual in Chapter 21 and Method and Theory Chapter 13
- Interview only one athlete (or coach) in any sport, campus, intramural, off-campus, etc. (If you wish substitute an entertainment performer such as a musician, actor, or dancer and apply logic of questions accordingly). You cannot use yourself as a subject. Ask them questions based on what you read in the above article and chapters. For example, do they use magic and ritual to increase their chances of success? How does magic and ritual relate to the particular sport (or performance) in which they participate? Do they use it at all stages of play (performance)? If it is a team sport, do different players (performers) in different positions (roles) have different rituals? How do you explain this if they do? Do you think more ‘dangerous’ sports (performances) have more magic and ritual involved? And/or is it an issue of uncertainty? What about taboos? Do many athletes have taboos? If so, what are some examples? Do they carry good luck charms or fetishes? What is their belief surrounding taboos, charms, etc.? Do they always wear a special piece of clothing or equipment? Why or why not? Do they use a certain number if they play a team sport? Do they consider certain things, actions bad luck? Do they perform ritual during the game? What kind? Are their team initiations, end of the season celebrations? Or other forms of ritual and tires of passage?
*The people you interview may not realize that what they do is ritual or magic; you might want to read some examples from the article.
Writing (Organize the paper using the following section headings)
Introduction
Introduce your paper by introducing its sections (see below) describing two or three points important to each. In this way you will not only introduce your paper but also provide the reader with a map or structure to follow as they read it.
Informant
In this section describe your informant’s background for context. Who is he or she? What is their sport or relevant substitute, their age, where do they live or lived? How do you know them? Etc.
Interview
In this section summarize your interview generally. Sprinkle in examples of some your questions and your informant’s answers in quotes. Paraphrase other questions and answers in this summary,
Analysis
From your readings in the text and this Baseball article consider what you have learned about ritual in this interview. Apply your knowledge of Skinner and Malinowski’s theories about ritual. How would B.F. Skinner explain your informant’s actions? What would Malinowski say? Did you see evidence of mythology, worldview, and rites of passage? As a budding anthropologist how do you explain the magic and ritual you encountered? Remember you are trying to understand how someone else sees the world and acts within it. To try escape making judgments about the morality or logic of their actions in order to more objectively explain their actions.