Choose a rite of passage, either from the two chapters on Greek ritual and mythology or from any other rite of passage that you would like to analyze (any of the chapters in the book are a good choice). Keep in mind that you have to support any opinion about the rite of passage you choose from an academic source (textbook, documentary, interview with knowledgeable member). This assignment is not an essay, so no need for a thesis per se, but you will need to outline the information below with sufficient detail. The details must be drawn from the course materials, such as Joseph Campbell’s “The Importance of Rites,” Chapters 28, 29, and 33 in the main textbook, as well as the presentation I gave you on the subject. Connect the dots, build your outline of a ritual with this material. Break your answers down using the following numbering and structure.
• Describe the background culture. This must be as specific as possible. It is absolutely not enough to state “Christian” for example. You must explain the specifics about the denomination and the symbolism involved, and to do that you will have to have an academic source or interview someone with sufficient knowledge.
• How does the rite of passage of your choice fit into this culture/society? What is the myth or narrative?
• Is the rite of passage liminoid or liminal? Briefly explain using details from Chapter 28. Don’t guess.
• Outline the ritual being as specific as you can with the description. The outline should be in three parts using sufficient details from Chapter 28 in your explanation:
• Separation
• Liminal phase
• Aggregation