Introduction to the Study of Religion

Synopsis

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 include


Definitions of religion


Perspectives in the study and teaching of religion


How religion began to be studied: Traditional perspectives—philosophical and theological


How people experience religion: Perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perception—phenomenological and psychological


Studying religion within communities: Social and cultural perspectives—anthropological, sociological, political, and economic


Judging religion: Critical perspectives—feminist approaches, the interaction of popular literature and religion


Contextual perspectives—historical and comparative


Themes, theories, and current directions

The 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.

Book details

Author:

Hillary P. Rodrigues, John S. Harding

ISBN:

9781000985559

Related ISBNs:

9780367809010, 9780367407735, 9780367407742

Publisher:

Taylor and Francis

Pages:

N/A

Reading age:

Not specified

Includes images:

No

Date of addition:

2023-11-29

Usage restrictions:

Copyright

Copyright date:

2024

Copyright by:

N/A 

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Categories:

Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality