Vision Quest -Table of Contents

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  UCSC BA THESIS

*Modern Society and Social Thought, 

Stevenson College 1987 

1st Honors Senior Thesis Project 

(Honors in the Major, 2nd)


Vision Quest: Shamanic Ecstasy in Traditional and Modern Societies, A Transhistorical Cross-cultural Analysis


Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: Definitions, Terms, Cultural and Cross-Cultural
Patterns and Commonalties, and Historical Origins

Chapter Two: Functions, Social Roles, Forms and Differentiations from Other People, Sacred Practitioners and Ecstatics

Chapter Three: The Functional Roles of Vision, Ecstasy, Trance, Hallucinogens and Alternate States of Consciousness in Accelerated
Neuro-Genetic Learning and Processing of Emotions and Cognitive Skills;
What It Is, What It's Like, and How Shamans Do It

Chapter Four: Becoming a Shaman: Initiation and Legitimation

Chapter Five: The Shaman: Culture-Carrier, Teacher and Social
Integrator; Status, Ethics and Gender Ratios

Chapter Six: Elements and Sources of the Shamanic
Complex Among Primal Peoples

Chapter Seven: The Renaissance of Shamanic Expression and Interest Therein; and Why Continued Exploration of Shamanic Ways Is Crucial to the Survival of Human Culture in Post-Technological Societies

Chapter Eight: Modern Forms of the Shaman-Figure

Chapter Nine: The Value of Hallucinogens and Shamanic Ecstasy
to Modern Society

Chapter Ten: The Modern Shaman-Figure as Psychotherapist and
Terrestrial Healer

Conclusion

Bibliography

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