Research Guides: *Religious Studies: Background Information

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About World Religions

Learn about religious traditions around the world in these encyclopedias. Or skip ahead to one of the following religious traditions:

Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
Try searching this online encyclopedia by name of the religion or tradition you are researching; for example, "Jainism."

Encyclopedia of Religion (2nd ed.) by Lindsay Jones (Ed.)
Publication Date: 2005

A standard reference in the field of Religious Studies. Presents a cross-cultural approach that emphasizes religion's role within everyday life and as a unique experience from culture to culture.
Encyclopedia of Global Religion by Mark Juergensmeyer and Wade Clark Roof (Eds.)
Publication Date: 2011

A comprehensive overview of the globalization of religious culture and society around the world in both its historical and contemporary aspects.
Britannica Encyclopedia of World Religions by Encyclopaedia Britannica Publishers
Publication Date: 2006

Though it was published in 2006, this encyclopedia provides a browsable overview of religious faiths throughout the world, and over a long period of human history.

About Religious Studies

Learn about religious studies as an academic field. Trace the emergence of religious studies; learn about theories, methods, topics, and debates in the field; and identify emerging trends in research.

Routledge International Handbook of Religion in Global Society by Jayeel Cornelio, François Gauthier, Tuomas Martikainen & Linda Woodhead (Editors)
Publication Date: 2020

Like any other subject, the study of religion is a child of its time. Shaped and forged over the course of the twentieth century, it has reflected the interests and political situation of the world at the time. As the twenty-first century unfolds, it is undergoing a major transition along with religion itself. This volume showcases new work and new approaches to religion.
Handbook of Religion and Society by David Yamane (Ed.)
Publication Date: 2016

Explores the role of religion in society, including both the social forces that shape religion and the social consequences of religion.
The Cambridge Companion to Religious Studies by Robert A. Orsi (Editor)
Publication Date: 2012

Introduces key debates in the contemporary study of religion and suggests future research possibilities.
The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion by Steven Engler & Michael Stausberg, Eds.
Publication Date: 2013

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 to understand the variety of research methods used in the field.

Religion and...

Approaches to studying religion and something else.

The Cambridge Companion to Religion and Artificial Intelligence by Beth Singler & Fraser Watts (Editors)
Publication Date: 2024

Explores the fields of Religion and AI, devoting chapters to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Collectively, the volume addresses issues that AI raises for religions, and contributions that AI has made to religious studies.
The Cambridge Companion to Religion and War by Margo Kitts (Editor)
Publication Date: 2023

A global, comparative history of the interplay between religion and war from ancient times to the present. An indispensable resource for students and scholars of the history and sociology of religion and war.
Handbook of Religion and Society by David Yamane (Editor)
Publication Date: 2016

Resource for those seeking to understand the role of religion in society. This includes both the social forces that shape religion and the social consequences of religion.
The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health by Dorothea Lüddeckens, Philipp Hetmanczyk, Pamela E. Klassen & Justin B. Stein (Editors)
Publication Date: 2021

The relationships between religion, spirituality, health, biomedical institutions, complementary, and alternative healing systems are widely discussed today. The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health is an outstanding reference source to the key topics, problems, and debates in this exciting subject and is the first collection of its kind.
The Routledge Handbook to Religion and Political Parties by Jeffrey Haynes (Editor)
Publication Date: 2019

Examines the relationships between religion and political parties in a variety of contexts, regions and countries with a focus on Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism.
Selling the Sacred: Religion and Marketing from Crossfit to QAnon by Mara Einstein & Sarah McFarland Taylor (Eds.)
ISBN: 9781032378411

Publication Date: 2024

There's religion in my marketing! There's marketing in my religion! Selling the Sacred explores the religio-cultural and media implications of a two-sided phenomenon: marketing religion as a product and marketing products as religion.

Buddhism

A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy by Steven M. Emmanuel (Editor)
ISBN: 9780470658772

Publication Date: 2013

A wide-ranging survey of the most important ideas, problems, and debates in the history of Buddhist philosophy. Encompasses the broadest treatment of Buddhist philosophy available, covering social and political thought, meditation, ecology and contemporary issues and applications.
Historical Dictionary of Chan Buddhism by Youru Wang
Publication Date: 2017

The popular name for Chan Buddhism, in the West, is Zen Buddhism. As one of the Chinese Buddhist schools, it involves its own ideology, its own community, and its own genealogical history, serving to establish its own identity. This historical dictionary contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography to introduce readers to Chan Buddhism.
Routledge Handbook of Theravada Buddhism by Stephen C. Berkwitz & Ashley Thompson (Editors)
Publication Date: 2022

Owing largely to the continued vitality of Theravāda Buddhist communities in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, as well as in diaspora communities across the globe, traditions associated with what is commonly (and fairly recently) called Theravāda attract considerable attention from scholars and practitioners around the world. This in-depth guide to the distinctive features of Theravāda is an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Asian Religion, Buddhism and, in particular, Theravāda Buddhism.

Christianity

The Cambridge Companion to American Protestantism by Jason E. Vickers & Jennifer Woodruff Tait (Editors)
Publication Date: 2022

A comprehensive overview of American Protestantism, considering all its major streams—Anglican, Reformed, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Stone-Campbell, Methodist, Holiness, and Pentecostal. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, theology, liturgics, and religious studies, it explores the beliefs and practices around which American Protestant life has revolved.
The Cambridge Companion to American Catholicism by Margaret M. McGuinness & Thomas F. Rzeznik (Editors)
Publication Date: 2021

A comprehensive overview of American Catholicism's historical development and distinctive features. Taken together, the essays in this Companion provide context for understanding American Catholicism as it is currently experienced, and help to situate present-day developments and debates within their longer trajectory.
Handbook of Global Contemporary Christianity : Themes and Developments in Culture, Politics, and Society by Stephen J. Hunt (Ed.)
Publication Date: 2015

Maps the transformations, as well as the continuities, of the largest of the major religions, engaging with the critical global issues which relate to the faith in a fast-changing world. Part 1 deals with contemporary global movements; Part 2 with regional trends and developments; Part 3 with Christianity, the state, politics and polity; and Part 4 with Christianity and social diversity.
Handbook of Global Contemporary Christianity: Movements, Institutions, and Allegiance
Publication Date: 2016

Traces how the largest religion in the world continues to be expressed in energetic global dynamic forms. Part 1 deals with major divisions within the Christian faith. Part 2, Christian institutions and affiliations. Part 3, new movements within Christianity, and Part 4, outside of the "mainstream."

Hinduism

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction by Kim Knott
Publication Date: 1998

A brief introduction to Hinduism.
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Hinduism (2nd ed.) by Gavin D. Flood (Ed.)
Publication Date: 2022

Examines the historical trajectories that have led to the modern religion of Hinduism. Brings together a variety of approaches and perspectives in Hindu Studies to help readers better appreciate the richness, complexity, and diversity of Hinduism.

Islam

Encyclopaedia of Islam (Brill)
Covers all Islamic countries and all periods, including Muslim culture, religion, history and politics.
Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World
Includes articles on the history, religion, cultural practices, and political economies of Muslims from the seventh-century in West Asia to today's Muslim societies throughout the continents of Asia, Africa, the Subcontinent, Europe, and the Americas.

Judaism

Encyclopaedia Judaica
Full text of the 2007 2nd edition including recent Year Books, Decennial volumes, and updated articles pertaining to major recent events.

The Cambridge History of Judaism
An 8-volume set outlining the history of Judaism.

*Religious Studies

Humanities Librarian

About World Religions

About Religious Studies

About Religious Studies

Religion and...

Buddhism

Christianity

Hinduism

Islam

Judaism

Other Religions and Topics