Fillable Printable Research Proposal Sample

Research Proposal Sample

SAMPLE RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL

Krista Feichtinger

Great Books Asian Classics –Prof. Fenkl

Final Project Proposal

Shamanism: An Exploration in the “Technique of Ecstasy”

Introduction: The introduction provides a brief overview of shamanism as an ancient

practice that is found throughout history and across cultures. This paper willexamine

traditionalforms of shamanism, as wellas neo-shamanism, the re-emergence of shamanic

practices in contemporaryWestern culture. Ultimately, this paper argues that shamanistic

practices are effective methods of healing developed and utilized as a spiritual pathfor

thousands of years.

Working Thesis: Despite the prevailing dismissive and often negative Western scientific

attitude toward shamanism, this ancient method of healing is an effective practice that,

through a transpersonal experienceinwhich an individual undergoes a change in

consciousness, the individual gains access tohis or her archetypal, inner resources which

results in healing, insight, and self-empowerment.

Structure:

I. Traditional Shamanism (the firstpart of this paper brieflyanswers the following

questions concerning traditional shamanism):

a.What is a shaman?

This section discusses the definition(and issues of defining) the traditional

concept of a shaman. Itprovides a briefoverview of the origin and

distribution of shamanic practices around the world throughout history.

b.How does one become a shaman?

This section discussesa shaman’s initiation process, training, and death-

rebirth experience.

c.What does a shaman do?

This section examines themethods ofhealing performed by shamans, (for

either individuals suffering fromillness or for a community as a whole)

including: healing of the spirit, herbalhealing, bodywork, divination, soul-

leading, ceremony and ritual. It also provides information about a shaman’s

guides or “spirits” and the processes by which a shaman travels to the “other

world” (or induces a “shamanic state of consciousness”).Abrief discussion of

cultures that use various hallucinogenic or mind-altering substances is

included, as well as major archetypal themes individuals experience during

their shamanistic journeying.

d.How does shamanic healing work?

This section examines the practices of shamans and the question of “trickery”

or deception surrounding their methods of healingand how it was viewed as a

form ofneurosis or schizophrenia since the Enlightenment.

II.Neo-Classical Shamanism and “core shamanism”(the last thirdof the paper

focuses on the contemporaryemerge of shamanistic practices and the personal, social,

and cultural implications):

a.What isneo-shamanism?What is “core shamanism”?

This section explores the emergence of interest in shamanismin contemporary,

Western world and discusses the concept of“core shamanism”developed by

anthropologist Michael Harner. It examines the contributing factors for this

interest within the context of other non-western healing or spiritualpractices

(such as yoga or meditation).

b.What is our contemporary understanding of shamanic methods?

This section examines the psychological (with an emphasis on Jungian

psychology), physiological, and chemical mechanisms involved in altered

consciousness and its ramifications upon anindividual.

c.How can anyone use shamanistic practices to healthemselves or others?

This last section explores the personalbenefits of using core shamanism as a

healing or spiritual practice.

Conclusion: The conclusion examines the broader personal, social, and cultural

implications of shamanistic healing inthe 21

century. It discusses how various

shamanistic practices can aid the individual, how it can be used in our community, and

the intended ramifications for the earth at large.

Bibliography:

Abram, David. The Spell of the Sensuous. New York: Vintage Books, 1997. Print.

Eliade, Mircea. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton: Princeton

Unversity Press, 1964. Print.

Harner, Michael. The Way of the Shaman. New York: Harper Collins, 1980. Print.

Ryan, Robert E. The Strong Eye of Shamanism: A Journey Into the Caves of

Consciousness. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions International, 1999. Print.

Wallis, Robert. J. Shamanism/Neo-Shamans: Ecstasy, Alternative Archaeologies and

Contemporary Pagans. London: Routledge, 2003. Print.

Walsh, Roger.The World of Shamanism: New Views of An Ancient Tradition. Woodbury,

MN: LlewellynPublications, 2007. Print.

Webb, Hilary S. Traveling Between the Worlds: Conversations with Contemporary

Shamans. Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc., 2004.

Print.