TOPIC WITH CHOICE OF SUBTOPIC:

Materia Magica are the tools used by our practitioners, priests and shamans. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Talismans: an item, often hand-held or small, believed to have magical or protective properties, often very personal and can be secular. A “good luck charm”
• Wands: a magical item used to “activate” the spirit world or power, or mark out a sacred space
• Amulets: an item, often worn, believed to offer magical protection, often sacred in nature.
• Cult images: an object of worship or veneration.
• Apotropaic items: a “frightening” image believed to “scare” away illness-causing spirits
• Votive Offering: a gift given the spirit world that is destroyed in some way to magically send it there- candles. the cow in the Hmong film.
• Rattles and musical instruments: used to make rhythmic noise to assist in trancing or having an apotropaic use.
• Plants: can be used to induce trance and other pharmacopeia, and may have a medicinal impact

Discuss a bit about the differences and similarities between Materia Magica (magical implements) and Materia Medica (medical tools) … and there they can cross over.

Criteria:

Introduction

Introduction to the problem/ thesis.

Background and history of the research

Research/ source heavy. Should include all aspects of the history of the research or field for full points.

Current state of research and analysis

Details the current situation- research and source heavy

Schools of Thought

Details at least 2 researchers who do not agree. Research and source heavy- student will take a side in  research

Research Plan for the next step and conclusion

Student demonstrates mastery of the scientific method and research strategies and how to apply. Effective conclusion.

Short Story: a fictional account of the discovery or other aspect of the research

Student will show mastery of the topic by briefly ‘telling the story’ of aspect of the research- a story of being in the field, or visiting a site, etc. this story must be unique to the student and by the student.

This is NOT a summary of the research: it is a method to demonstrate mastery of the topic.

Length:

Sourcing:

• Two sources must be provided , and they must date to within 10 calendar years (ETA: some research has been going on for a long time, so this is negotiable, but your sources should be timely)
• other sources can be older- and there must be at least 2 other sources.
• report must be sourced both in text and on a source page