Monday, February 22, 2016

Anthropology of the Supernatural




Very pleased and excited to be a keynote speaker at the "Anthropology of the Supernatural" conference at the University of Minnesota put on by the Undergraduate Anthropology Club! Can't wait to hear the other keynote speakers and all the student papers!


How do humans make sense of something "supernatural" and unknown? How do different cultures explore and understand this concept in our past and present? This year, our conference tackles human folklore, practices, and belief.

The Undergraduate Anthropology Club presents their 37th annual conference, Anthropology of the Supernatural. Admission is FREE and refreshments are included. Doors open at 9am. All are welcome to attend!

Keynote speakers will include:

• Professor Sabina Magliocco of California State University, Northridge
• Emeritus Professor David Hufford of University of Pennsylvania
• Adjunct Professor Nathan Lewis of Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Sabina's research interests include: religion, folklore, foodways, festival, witchcraft and Neo-Paganism in Europe and the United States. Her most recent book is called: Witching Culture: Folklore and Neo-Paganism in America.

Hufford's research interests "incorporate perspectives on applied folklore and theory, are in the areas of alternative health systems and folk belief and practice." His book, The Terror That Comes In The Night, explores the experiential basis for belief in the supernatural.

Contemporary Paranormal Investigation - Since 2007 Lewis has been involved with the Twin Cities Paranormal Society, a non-proft organization that investigates claims of the otherworldly, supernatural, and things that go bump in the night. "Though the pursuit has been over-shadowed by garish inaccurate TV shows, everyone in the group is bonded by the desire to help and understand things beyond ourselves. We visit families who have often very recently lost a loved one and wish to communicate with them. Rarely are we running around in dank basements chasing chain-dragging specters."

Funding provided by Student Services Fees.
Special thanks to the Anthropology Department!