Religions, Mythologies, Cults : a guide to library resources in Anthropology
Contents:
Related library guide which may be helpful:
Witchcraft
Starting Points
When you need to define your topic and/or get some background reading try consulting a dictionary or encyclopedia on Religions, Mythology, Shamanism, Taboo, Cults, Sects & Millenial movements.
The guide to Anthropology dictionaries/encyclopedias will help if you need explanations of anthropological terminology or theory.
To find overviews on the subject try the following:
- Anthropology of religion : a handbook (1997) [print]
[A guide for anthropologists & graduate students preparing to undertake primary research in the anthropology of religion. A book review is linked here]
- Anthropology of religion : an introduction (2006) [print]
- [An introductory text which combines discussion of the origin and development of ideas and debates within the anthropology of religion with a look at where the subject is going today]
- Culture, religion, and the sacred self :a critical introduction to the anthropological study of religion (1991) [print]
[An introduction to the objectives & scope of the anthropological study of religion]
- Mythography : the study of myths and rituals (2000) [print]
[Brings together a diverse collection of approaches to the study of myth. A book review is linked here]
- Reader in the anthropology of religion (2001) [print]
[A collection of some of the most significant classic and contemporary writings within the anthropology of religion. A book review is linked here]
- Religion in Australian culture : an anthropological view (1997) [print]
[Examines religion as part of culture in Australia]
- Religions in practice : an approach to the anthropology of religion (1998) [print]
[Presents analyses and case studies on a wide variety of aspects of religion, from magic and healing to pilgrimages and contemporary religious movements. A book review is linked here]
Finding Books Using The Library Catalogue
Books can be found by searching the library catalogue.
The subject heading Ethnology Religious aspects is a start, but keyword searching is probably the best way of identifying material, and your results will be maximised by using keyword searching techniques such as truncation and Boolean searching, and by incorporating subject headings into your search where appropriate. Here are some examples on how to construct searches:
religion and bali
"aboriginal australians" and totemism
shaman? and (nepal or tibet)
christianity and (ethnolog? or ethnograph?)
Finding Journal Articles Using Databases & Bibliographies
Journal articles can be found through databases listed in the Electronic Databases for Anthropology guide - Sociological Abstracts, Anthropology Plus, Academic OneFile and Academic Search Premier are probably the best starting points for finding articles written on anthropology and religion topics.
In addition, there are printed bibliographies of books & journal articles in the library which are probably most useful for identifying earlier material on religion & mythology.
Web Resources
The following are starting points for resources on the Web
Academic Info Religion
[This metasite, created by Mike Madin, is a well-organised and useful directory of Internet resources for the academic study of religion]
Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR)
[An international network of associations of scholars working in the field of new religious movements. Includes access to selected texts & documents]
Mything links
[An Annotated & Illustrated Collection of Worldwide Links to Mythologies, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Sacred Arts & Traditions]
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
[Describe dozens of faith groups: from Asatru to Christianity to Wicca to Zoroastrianism. Also covers new religious movements, including dangerous cults & other belief systems, like Agnosticism, Atheism and Humanism]
Religious Movements Homepage
[From the University of Virginia this site profiles more that 200 groups and contains an extensive bibliography for more information]
Society for the Anthropology of Religion
[Dedicated to facilitating teaching and research in the anthropological study of religion and to facilitating international discussion among scholars. The site provides a list of publications produced by members of the society, information on upcoming conferences & links to useful Anthropology & Religion sites]
World religions on the Web
[A guide to some of the most helpful sites. Published in vol. 63.6, 2002 of College & Research Libraries News]
Last update: 2 June 2009 Helen Attar
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