Approaches to the Study of Religion

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Description

It has been argued that religious studies is a polymethodic discipline and that the student of religion should be familiar with the approaches of other major disciplines concerned with understanding the nature of religion. This volume is designed for undergraduate students to provide background material on methods of such relevant disciplines. It presents each of the significant approaches to the study of religion and brings together researchers representing a number of these major disciplines. The book has a consistent format: each discussion deals with the same themes, exploring the historical development of the approach, the characteristics of the approach, and the issues and debates arising from it.

Reviews

"Approaches is aimed at undergraduates and offers a useful introductory overview of seven theoretical areas of the study of religion....offers a solid overview of many important theories and methods in the study of religion. Each chapter covers its ground with clear writing, appropriate definitions of key terms, and concise summaries of key positions and issues. This book is well worth considering as a lower-level undergraduate theory/method text." --Steven Engler, Teaching Theology and Religion, 2002

Author Bio

Peter Connolly is Senior Lecturer in the Study of Religions at University College, Chichester, UK.