Course Description

This two week online course is a collaboration between Dr. Lauren Meeker (Associate Professor of Anthropology, SUNY New Paltz, USA) and Ne Myo Aung (Director, Gitameit Music Institute, Myanmar). This course introduces students to Burmese spirit mediumship though a series of lectures, readings, films, and audio and video recordings of spirit mediumship ceremonies (nat pwe). The course will place contemporary Burmese spirit mediumship practice in the broader context of Burmese religion and culture and explore efforts to preserve traditional culture in Myanmar today. We will also learn about efforts to learn the music accompanying nat pwe by students and community members at SUNY New Paltz. In addition to the online units, we will coordinate two synchronous online meetings that bring together SUNY New Paltz students in America, music and culture students in Myanmar, and practicing Nat kadaw (spirit mediums) from Myanmar.

Course Structure

This course is broken into four Units, which you will work through in order over two weeks. Each unit consists of 1-2 pre recorded lectures, readings or films, and audio/visual materials that you are responsible for viewing/reading before the synchronous meetings. Each unit has its own page on our website, where you will find links to all the course materials. In the menu bar at the top, click on course units or mouse over to see a drop down list of each unit. You must complete the materials in each unit before the online synchronous meeting for each unit.

Additional instructions for New Paltz Students in ANT414

Assignment schedule: Spirit Mediumship reflection paper due March 19th.

Course Etiquette

In all online and offline interactions, we expect students to adhere to basic manners and respect for others. When meeting online, be present and engaged for the duration of the class by setting aside other distractions as you would in a traditional classroom. In order to simulate the in-person classroom experience as best as we can, we hope that you will keep your video on. That said, if you have technical or other reasons that you cannot use the video feed, please just let us know (either ahead by email or through the chat).

To begin your study, go to the Course Units Menu.