The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History

In the twenty-first century, as in centuries past, stories of the supernatural thrill and terrify us. But despite their popularity, scholars often dismiss such beliefs in the uncanny as inconsequential, or even embarrassing. The editors and contributors to __The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History__ have made a concerted effort to understand encounters with ghosts and the supernatural that have remain present and flourished. Featuring folkloric researchers examining the cultural value of such beliefs and practices, sociologists who acknowledge the social and historical value of the supernatural, and enthusiasts of the mystical and uncanny, this volume includes a variety of experts and interested observers using first-hand ethnographic experiences and historical records. __The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History__ seeks to understand the socio-cultural and socio-historical contexts of the supernatural. This volume takes the supernatural __as real__ because belief in it has fundamentally shaped human history. It continues to inform people’s interpretations, actions, and identities on a daily basis. The supernatural is an indelible part of our social world that deserves sincere scholarly attention. __Contributors include: Janet Baldwin, I'Nasah Crockett, William Ryan Force, Rachael Ironside, Tea Krulos, Joseph Laycock,__ **__Stephen L. Muzzatti,__** __Scott Scribner, Emma Smith, Jeannie Banks Thomas, and the editors__ In the twenty-first century, as in centuries past, stories of the supernatural thrill and terrify us. But despite their popularity, scholars often dismiss such beliefs in the uncanny as inconsequential, or even embarrassing. The editors and contributors to The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History have made a concerted effort to understand encounters with ghosts and the supernatural that have remain present and flourished. Featuring folkloric researchers examining the cultural value of such beliefs and practices, sociologists who acknowledge the social and historical value of the supernatural, and enthusiasts of the mystical and uncanny, this volume includes a variety of experts and interested observers using first-hand ethnographic experiences and historical records. The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History seeks to understand the socio-cultural and socio-historical contexts of the supernatural. This volume takes the supernatural as real because belief in it has fundamentally shaped human history. It continues to inform people's interpretations, actions, and identities on a daily basis. The supernatural is an indelible part of our social world that deserves sincere scholarly attention. -- Amazon.com In the twenty-first century, as in centuries past, stories of the supernatural thrill and terrify us. But despite their popularity, scholars often dismiss such beliefs in the uncanny as inconsequential, or even embarrassing. The editors and contributors to The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History have made a concerted effort to understand encounters with ghosts and the supernatural that have persisted and flourished. Featuring folkloric researchers examining the cultural value of such beliefs and practices, sociologists who acknowledge the social and historical value of the supernatural, and enthusiasts of the mystical and uncanny, this volume includes a variety of experts and interested observers using first-hand ethnographic experiences and historical records. The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History seeks to understand the socio-cultural and socio-historical contexts of the supernatural. This volume takes the supernatural as real because belief in it has fundamentally shaped human history. It continues to inform people's interpretations, actions, and identities on a daily basis. The supernatural is an indelible part of our social world that deserves sincere scholarly attention Contents Introduction: The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History / Dennis Waskul and Marc Eaton 1. Toward a Cryptoscience / William Ryan Force 2. On Researching the Supernatural: Cultural Competence and Cape Breton Stories / Jeannie Banks Thomas 3. Ghosts and Hauntings: Genres, Forms, and Types / Dennis Waskul 4. Paranormal Investigation: The Scientist and the Sensitive / Marc Eaton 5. The Allure of Dark Tourism: Legend Tripping and Ghost Seeking in Dark Places / Rachael Ironside 6. "The Spirits Tell Me That You’re Seeking Help": Fortune-Telling in Late Capitalism / Stephen L. Muzzatti and Emma M. Smith 7. Reading Tarot: Telling Fortunes, Telling Friends, and Retelling Everyday Life / Janet Baldwin 8. Twentieth-Century Voodoo: Black Culture, Cultural Geographies, and the Meaning of Place / I’Nasah Crockett 9. Vampirism: Modern Vampires and Embattled Identity Claims / Joseph P. Laycock 10. Cryptozoology: The Hunt for Hidden Animals and Monsters / Tea Krulos 11. Alien Abduction Narratives: A Proposed Model and Brief Case Study / Scott R. Scribner Contributors Index Edited By Dennis Waskul And Marc Eaton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.