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Introduction to the Study of Religion
Why do people study religion? How have they studied it in the past? How do we study religion today? Is the academic study of religion the same as religious education? These and many other questions are addressed in this engaging introduction to the discipline of religious studies. Topics
Definitions of religion Perspectives in the study and teaching of religion How religion began to be Traditional perspectives—philosophical and theological How people experience Perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perception—phenomenological and psychological Studying religion within Social and cultural perspectives—anthropological, sociological, political, and economic Judging Critical perspectives—feminist approaches, the interaction of popular literature and religion Contextual perspectives—historical and comparative Themes, theories, and current directions This thoroughly updated second edition encourages students to think critically about the theories and methods presented. Students will find arguments for the strengths and limitations of these approaches, understand connections among religious studies and other intellectual movements, and develop their own ideas of how they might want to go about the study of religion. Summary boxes, discussion questions, a glossary, a chronology of key figures and texts, and other pedagogic aids help students grasp key concepts.
Definitions of religion Perspectives in the study and teaching of religion How religion began to be Traditional perspectives—philosophical and theological How people experience Perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perception—phenomenological and psychological Studying religion within Social and cultural perspectives—anthropological, sociological, political, and economic Judging Critical perspectives—feminist approaches, the interaction of popular literature and religion Contextual perspectives—historical and comparative Themes, theories, and current directions This thoroughly updated second edition encourages students to think critically about the theories and methods presented. Students will find arguments for the strengths and limitations of these approaches, understand connections among religious studies and other intellectual movements, and develop their own ideas of how they might want to go about the study of religion. Summary boxes, discussion questions, a glossary, a chronology of key figures and texts, and other pedagogic aids help students grasp key concepts.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2008
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About the author
Hillary P. Rodrigues
14 books6 followersHillary P. Rodrigues (PhD, McMaster University) is professor of religious studies at the University of Lethbridge.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 15, 2019
This book is a pretty solid intro, however I disprove of the "Judging Religion" chapter because the authors switch from talking about the secular academic study of religion to feminist theology & atheist critiques. They don't really address feminist secular scholarship at all, and the so-called New Atheists are NOT examples of academic study of religion. If I teach this book again, I'll skip that chapter.
April 29, 2020
Class
It was very good for class. I really enjoyed learning more about other cultures and religions. Highly recommended to people who want to learn.
It was very good for class. I really enjoyed learning more about other cultures and religions. Highly recommended to people who want to learn.
December 21, 2021
More useful as a reference; read for Research Methods.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews