After World Religions Reconstructing Religious Studies [Paperback]

The World Religions Paradigm has been the subject of critique and controversy in Religious Studies for many years. After World Religionsprovides a rationale for overhauling the World Religions curriculum, as well as a roadmap for doing so. The volume offers concise and practical introductions to cutting-edge Religious Studies method and theory, introducing a wide range of pedagogical situations and innovative solutions. An international team of scholars addresses the challenges presented in their different departmental, institutional, and geographical contexts. Instructors developing syllabi will find supplementary reading lists and specific suggestions to help guide their teaching. Students at all levels will find the book an invaluable entry point into an area of ongoing scholarly debate.

Contributors. PrefaceChristopher R. Cotter & David G. Robertson. Foreword. Before the 'After' in 'After World Religions': Wilfred Cantwell Smith on the Meaning and End of Religion.James L. Cox. 1. Introduction: The World Religions Paradigm in Contemporary Religious StudiesChristopher R. Cotter & David G. Robertson. PART I: SUBVERSIVE PEDAGOGIES: DATA AND METHODS. 2. The Problem of Religions: Teaching Against the Grain with New Age StuffSteven J. Sutcliffe. 3. Not a Task for Amateurs: Graduate Instructors and Critical Theory in the World Religions ClassroomTara Baldrick-Morrone, Michael Graziano and Brad Stoddard. 4. The Critical Embrace: Teaching the World Religion Paradigm as DataSteven Ramey. PART II: ALTERNATIVE PEDAGOGIES: POWER AND POLITICS. 5. Religion as Ideology: Recycled Culture vs. World ReligionsCraig Martin. 6. Doing Things with Religion: A Discursive Approach in Rethinking the World Religions ParadigmTeemu Taira. 7. Looking Back on the End of Religion: Opening Re MarxPaul-Francois l30