Seminar / 30h / 4 ECTS / summer semester. Coordinator: dr hab. Małgorzata Sacha

The aim of this course is to provide a broad insight into the symbolism of animals and, especially, into the phenomenon of therianthropy and theriomorphism in the chosen world religions. First, students will be introduced to key issues of the Human-Animal Studies (HAS). Then, some anthropological and psychological aspects of the human-animal interactions will be discussed. The course focuses on the issue of animal symbolism in both prehistory and ancient cultures and religions of the Near East, Europe, Asia and America. The most prominent mythical and animal figures, like the animal guardian, trickster, psychopomp etc. will be discussed in the light of the contemporary methodological discourse on the comparative religion and iconology.