Rochelle September
Student number: 56556852
Introducing Theories of Religion
Oct/Nov Examinations 2021
Due Date: 12 November 2021
1
, Examination questions
1. Write an essay on the problem of defining religion. In your answer you
need to consider definitions of the concept by prominent theorists, with
particular attention to critiques of the concept of religion. Do you think the
term religion is still useful for analytical purposes? If so, which working
definition would you use for analytical purposes?
2. Critically discuss Edward Tylor and James Frazer’s theories of religion.
Your critical discussion should focus on the process of triple-mediation by
which they created their general theories of religion.
3. Discuss Henri-Alexandre Junod’s theories on religion, magic, and ritual
in relation to his role as a colonial middleman between imperial theory and
indigenous contexts.
4. Discuss the thesis that Freud transposed imperial comparative religion’s
analogy between “savages” and children to the mind.
2
Student number: 56556852
Introducing Theories of Religion
Oct/Nov Examinations 2021
Due Date: 12 November 2021
1
, Examination questions
1. Write an essay on the problem of defining religion. In your answer you
need to consider definitions of the concept by prominent theorists, with
particular attention to critiques of the concept of religion. Do you think the
term religion is still useful for analytical purposes? If so, which working
definition would you use for analytical purposes?
2. Critically discuss Edward Tylor and James Frazer’s theories of religion.
Your critical discussion should focus on the process of triple-mediation by
which they created their general theories of religion.
3. Discuss Henri-Alexandre Junod’s theories on religion, magic, and ritual
in relation to his role as a colonial middleman between imperial theory and
indigenous contexts.
4. Discuss the thesis that Freud transposed imperial comparative religion’s
analogy between “savages” and children to the mind.
2
