Date of Award

8-11-2015

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Faidra Papavasiliou

Second Advisor

Emanuela Guano

Third Advisor

Louis Arthur Ruprecht, Jr.

Abstract

Throughout human history, religious systems have provided individuals with basic knowledge and guidance used to understand and navigate the world. The modern world is no different with people searching for the sacred in new ways and different places. This thesis examines Electronic Dance Music Culture as an example. In order to study spirituality in EDMC I conducted an ethnography of EDM artists. In doing so I set out to answer these questions: How do the facilitators of EDMC conceptualize spirituality and how do those processes interact within EDMCs? So the focus does not lie in discerning a unifying spirituality of EDMC but in teasing out the impact of EDM and EDMC on individuals in the personal construction of their spiritual selves. I draw upon ethnographic research to explain how the creators of EDMC conceptualize and construct spirituality in open-ended ways. I found that the DJs and producers have a dual relationship with the scene as specialist and member both creating, facilitating and engaging.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/7344948

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