The Religious Studies Skills Book: Close Reading, Critical Thinking, and Comparison

Description

Studying religion in college or university? This book shows you how to perform well on your course tests and examinations, write successful papers, and participate meaningfully in class discussions. You’ll learn new skills and also enhance existing ones, which you can put into practice with in-text exercises and assignments. Written by two award-winning instructors, this book identifies the close reading of texts, material culture, and religious actions as the fundamental skill for the study of religion at undergraduate level. It shows how critical analytical thinking about religious actions and ideas is founded on careful, patient, yet creative “reading” of religious stories, rituals, objects, and spaces. The book leads you through the description, analysis, and interpretation of examples from multiple historical periods, cultures, and religious traditions, including primary source material such as Matthew 6:9-13 (the Lord’s Prayer), the gohonzon scroll of the Japanese new religion Soka Gakkai, and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). It provides you with typical assignments you will encounter in your studies, showing you how you might approach tasks such as reflective, interpretive, or summary essays. Further resources, found on the book’s website, include bibliographies and links to useful podcasts. Cover Contents List of Images List of Figures Acknowledgments Introduction: How to Use this Book 1 Religion in Higher Education A brief history of higher education Religion in public schools Religious studies in American colleges and universities 2 The Syllabus and Course Expectations An introductory course at a private, regional university An introductory Bible course at a religiously affiliated college An introduction to the Old Testament at a public university Assignments 3 Learning Through Bracketing Defining religion and religious literacy Religious studies and theology What is bracketing? Bracketing in the classroom Practicing bracketing through reading, observing, and discussing 4 Close Reading A short text An object A ritual A definition of religion Close reading and academic practice 5 Critical Thinking A brief history of critical thinking How to think critically Test case: Creationism in public schools How to think critically in religious studies Critical thinking beyond the classroom 6 Comparison A simple comparison between two texts Comparing multiple scholarly statements 7 Writing about Religion Why so many writing assignments? Employing evidence Citing sources Writing assignments Structuring arguments Common writing errors 8 Beyond the Classroom Knowledge Skills Notes Index