Religion: Books

This book demonstrates through methodological reflections and carefully chosen case studies a new way to conduct study of religion. It focuses on how social actors negotiate what counts as "religion" and how discourses on religion are part of the way in which contemporary societies organise themselves.

This is the first comprehensive survey in English of research methods in the field of religious studies. It is designed to enable non-specialists and students at upper undergraduate and graduate levels to understand the variety of research methods used in the field. The aim is to create awareness of the relevant methods currently available and to stimulate an active interest in exploring unfamiliar methods, encouraging their use in research and enabling students and scholars to evaluate academic work with reference to methodological issues.

The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion is a major resource for courses in Religious Studies. It explains methodological approaches to religion, including psychology, philosophy, anthropology and comparative study, before moving on to explore a wide variety of critical issues, such as gender, science, fundamentalism, ritual, and new religious movements.

A good foundation in research skills is an essential part of a good education and an important asset in continued lifetime learning. In the fields of religion and theology, there are six major components essential to the development of information retrieval and utilization. In addition to these, Dennis Tucker's latest book covers the following: - Overall library layout- Library catalogs- Periodical literature- Research documentation- Library staff functions- Reference collections- Electronic resources- Paper development

Increasingly, recognition is given to the importance of methodology in the study of religion and methodological issues are generally taught to first year students in order to equip them for systematic academic study of the topic. Unfortunately many of the theories that relate to methodology are explained in a highly complex way, which even advanced students find it hard to understand. This book unravels the complexity of these issues for students by introducing the history and methodology pertaining to the study of religion (including ideas of key theorists) and by discussing the main problems in current scholarship in world religions.

Available in print and online.
Religious faith takes many forms. Throughout the centuries and around the globe, the human response to the divine has given rise to a large number of important religions. This encyclopedia provides an authoritative and comprehensive guide to the religions of the world and to the concepts, people and events that shaped them.

Available in print and online.
The Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements provides uniquely global coverage of the phenomenon of New Religious Movements, with entries on over three-hundred movements from almost every country in the world. Coverage includes movements that derive from the major religions of the world and to neo-traditional movements, which are often overlooked.

Integrating psychology and religion, this unique encyclopedia offers a rich contribution to the development of human self-understanding. It provides an intellectually rigorous collection of psychological interpretations of the stories, rituals, motifs, symbols, doctrines, dogmas, and experiences of the world s religious traditions.