The Religion Student Writer's Manual and Reader's Guide, is a set of instructions and exercises that sequentially develop citizenship, academic, and professional skills while providing students with knowledge about a wide range of religious concepts, phenomena, and information sources. Part 1 begins by teaching students about reading and writing in introductory religion. It focuses on the crafts of writing and scholarship by providing the basics of grammar, style, formats and source citation, and then introduces students to a variety of rich information resources including the religious journals and the Library of Congress. Part 2 prepares students to research, read, write, review, and critique religious scholarship. Finally, Part 3 provides for the practice of religious scholarship in advanced courses such as the history of religion and contemporary approaches to the study of religion.
TO THE STUDENT: Welcome to the Greatest Stories Ever Told TO THE TEACHER: As We Teach Writing, You Teach Religion and Theology PART 1: Reading & Writing for Introductory Religion and Theology Courses 1 Read & Write to Understand Religious Experience 1.1 The Benefits of Effective Reading Read & Write 1.1: Analyze a Sermon 1.2 Reading Ritual and Narrative Read & Write 1.2: Appreciate the Lakota Heyoka Ceremony 1.3 Reading Mystical Experience and the Sacred Read & Write 1.3: Explain the Popularity of Juan Soldado 1.4 Reading Social Cohesion and Ethics Read & Write 1.4: Explain How New Religious Moments Achieve Social Cohesion 1.5 Reading Doctrine Read & Write 1.5: Explore Doctrinal Options for the Separation of Church and State 2 Read & Write Effectively 2.1 Get into the Flow of Writing Read & Write 2.1: Explain or Persuade 2.2 Think Creatively Read & Write 2.2: Freewriting 2.3 Organize Your Writing Read & Write 2.3: Write a Paper Outline 2.4 Draft, Revise, Edit, and Proofread Read & Write 2.4: Discover Your Own Style 3 Practice the Craft of Scholarship 3.1 The Competent Writer Read & Write 3.1: Correct a Sentence Fragment 3.2 Avoid Errors in Grammar and Punctuation Read & Write 3.2: Proofread for the Pope 3.3 Format Your Paper Professionally Read & Write 3.3: Explain the Data in this Table 3.4 Cite Your Sources Properly Read & Write 3.4: Create a Scholarly Bibliography 3.5 Avoid Plagiarism Read & Write 3.5: Summarize an Article from Shambala Sun, Moment, or Guideposts 4 Become Familiar with Quality Information Sources 4.1 Welcome to the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Read & Write 4.1: Write an Email to an AAR Section Chair 4.2 Welcome to the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) Read & Write 4.2: Write an Email to an SBL Section Chair 4.3 How to Locate Religion and Theology Dissertations and Theses Read & Write 4.3: Collect Six Dissertation Abstracts on a Topic of Interest 4.4 How to Locate Studies by Think Tanks Read & Write 4.4: Collect Six Think Tank Studies on a Topic of Interest 4.5 Welcome to the Library of Congress (LOC) Read & Write 4.5: Examine Some Religion Items from the Library of Congress Collection PART 2: Become a Scholar of Religion 5 Learning Observation Skills 5.1 Conduct an Interview Read & Write 5.1: Interview a Local Religious Leader 5.2 Conduct a Focus Group Read & Write 5.2: Conduct a Focus Group on a Topic of Interest 5.3 Conduct a Case Study Read & Write 5.3: Conduct a Case Study on a Local Religious Group 5.4 Conduct a Survey Read & Write 5.4: Conduct a Survey on a Topic in Religion 6 Learning Scholarship Skills 6.1 How to Read Religion and Theology Scholarship Read & Write 6.1: Explain the Content of a Recent Article from a Religion or Theology Journal 6.2 How to Critique an Academic Article Read & Write 6.2: Critique a Recent Article from a Religion or Theology Journal 6.3 How to Write a Book Review Read & Write 6.3: Review a New Religion or Theology Book 6.4 How to Write a Literature Review Read & Write 6.4: Write a Religion or Theology Literature Review 7 How to Research Effectively 7.1 Institute an Effective Research Process Read & Write 7.1: Write a Religion or Theology Research Proposal 7.2 Evaluate the Quality of Online and Printed Information Read & Write 7.2: Write a Bibliography with a Dozen High Quality Sources PART 3: Practice Some Avenues of Religion Scholarship 8 Study the History of Religion 8.1 Study the Origins of Religion Read & Write 8.1: Explore Cosmos and History in South America 8.2 Study the Histories of Religions Read & Write 8.2: Chronicle the Recent History of an Asian Religion 8.3 Compare Religions Read & Write 8.3: Compare Rituals, Doctrines, or Practice of Two African Religions 9 Discover Some Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion 9.1 Sociology of Religion Read & Write 9.1: Welcome to PEW Trust Religion Studies 9.2 Psychology of Religion Read & Write 9.2: Encounter Minds and Gods 9.3 Neurology and Religion Read & Write 9.3: Explore Experiences of Spiritual Consciousness 9.4 Politics and Religion Read & Write 9.4: Consider the Politics of Religion 9.5 Postmodern Approaches to Religion Read & Write 9.5: Behold the Panopticon PART 4: Practice Theology, Ministry, and Discipleship 10 Engaging Scripture 10.1 Engaging Hermeneutics Read & Write 10.1: Construct a Personal Hermeneutic 10.2 Engaging Exegesis Read & Write 10.2: Practice Exegesis 11 Engaging the History of Theology 11.1 Tracing the Course of a Tradition's Theology Read & Write 11.1: Trace the Course of a Religious Tradition's Theology 11.2 Comparing Practices and Doctrines Read & Write 11.2: Compare Doctrines of Two Major Sects within a Major Religious Tradition 12 Writing for Worship and Sharing Life 12.1 The Craft of Homiletics Read & Write 12.1: Write Words to Inspire 12.2 The Craft of Celebration Read & Write 12.2: Write Words to Unite in Joy 12.3 The Craft of Healing Read & Write 12.3: Write Words to Console in Bereavement GLOSSARY NOTES INDEX
