Ohrstrom Blog » Religion

New Reference Book: Encyclopedia of Modern Ethnic Conflicts

Lura Sanborn — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:28:36 +0000

Encyclopedia of Modern Ethnic Conflicts edited by Joseph R. Rudolph, Jr., Greenwood, 2003.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 305.8 R83

A one-volume guide concerning the study of global ethnic conflict during the 20th Century. Each of the thirty-eight individual entries discusses the historical background of a particular ethnic conflict, how the conflict was managed, and the impact of the conflict.

Examples include:

Canada: The Nationalist Movement in Quebec
China: Ethnic Conflict and the International System
France: The “Foreigner” Issue
Middle East: The Arab-Jewish Struggle for Palestine to 1948
Rwanda: Hutu-Tutsi Conflict and Genocide in Central Africa
United States: The United States – Puerto Rico Relationship

Helpful for: Literature of Witness, Middle Eastern Voices, Gender Studies, International Studies, Social History, World Politics, Humanities

New Reference Book: Encyclopedia of Women in Religious Art

Lura Sanborn — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:56 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

Encyclopedia of Women in Religious Art by Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Continuum Publishing Co., 1996.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 704.9424

A quick, specialized dictionary focused on images, roles and symbols related to women in religious art. Over 2,000 brief entries focus on the world’s major religions.

Examples include: Bestiary, Golden Legend, Saint Mary Magdalene, and Willow.

An appendix lists variant names of “historical and legendary” women (Contents, iii).

Helpful for: Humanities, Religious Studies, Women’s Studies, Humanities V Art Paper

New Reference Book: The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture

Lura Sanborn — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:00:31 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture edited by Jonathan M. Bloom and Sheila S. Blair, Oxford U. Press, 2009.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 709.17 G911

Islamic art and techniques, as well as related people and places from Asia, Europe and Africa provide the focus of this 3-volume set.

A sampling from the 1,600 entries: Fulani, Body Art; Jade; Carpets and Flatweaves; Metalwork; and Banknotes.

Helpful for: Middle Eastern Voices, Humanities III, Art, Art, Islamic Studies

New Reference Book: The Encyclopedia of Taoism

Lisa Laughy — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:48:11 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

The Encyclopedia of Taoism edited by Fabrizio Pregadio, Routledge, 2008.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 299.51 P91T

This 2-volume set describes the history, traditions and principles of Taoism. The encyclopedia is divided into 5 main thematic sections:

Overview – including entries related to: Scriptures and Texts, Deities and Spirits, Sacred Sites
The Taoist Universe – including entries related to: Doctrinal Notions, Transcendence and Immortality, Mountains and Mountain Monographs
History- including entries related to: Pre-Han and Han Background, Shangqing, Contemporary Taoism
Forms of Religious Practice and Experience – including entries related to: Meditation, Alchemy, Ritual
Taoism and Chinese Buddhism- including entries related to: Persons, Texts

Two additional, shorter, sections are included at the end of volume two: Miscellaneous Terms Related to Religious Ideas and Practices and Associations.

Helpful for: Chinese Studies, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Humanities

New Reference Book: The Oxford Companion to the Year

Lisa Laughy — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:40 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

The Oxford Companion to the Year by Bonnie Blackburn & Leofranc Holford-Strevens, Oxford, 2003.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 529.3 B560

The first half of this volume offers a day-by-day listing of associated events and people. The focus is on British and U.S. events with some non-western celebrations included.

The second half of the volume describes the history of the Christian calendar and major non-Christian calendars.

Helpful for: Celebrations, Browsing, History of the Calendar

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Reference Book Spotlight: Encyclopaedia Judaica

Lisa Laughy — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:06 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

Encyclopaedia Judaica edited by Fred Skolnik, Thomson Gale, 2nd ed., 2007.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 296 Sk5

This revered set, first published in 1972, was recently updated and released in its second edition. Considered the standard reference material for Jewish history, culture and life, this new edition features updates to 11,000 entries as well as an additional 2,600 new entries.

A sampling of entries from its 22 volumes: Yom Kippur War, Copper Serpent, Holiness Code, Talmud – Musical Rendition, and Passover – Origin.

The original 1972 edition is still available, housed in the Faculty Lounge Library. Its English-language predecessor, Jewish Encyclopedia, (1906) is now in the public domain online HERE.

Helpful for: Humanities, Religious Studies, Women’s Studies, Jewish Studies

New Reference Book: Atlas of the World’s Religions

Lura Sanborn — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:43:45 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

Atlas of the World’s Religions, Second Edition edited by Ninian Smart & Frederick Denny, Oxford University Press, 2007.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 200 Sm2a

This visually arresting atlas provides an overview of the religious traditions of the world. Using maps, charts, and photos, The Atlas of the World’s Religions highlights all major world religions and geographical distributions of religious practices.

Three examples from its many entries: Ancient Palestine, Islam and European Christian Missions.

Three facts from its many offerings: In 2007 over 25,378,000 of the world population were Sikh (pg 15), 90% of those living in Bali practice Hindu (pg 19), in 1998 “20% of Australians claimed to be regular churchgoers” (pg 107).

Helpful for: Humanities, Religious Studies, Data hounds

New Reference Book: The Atlas of Religion

Deb Baker — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:18:15 +0000

Deb Baker – Interim Reference Librarian

The Atlas of Religion by Joanne O’Brien and Martin Palmer, consultant editor David B. Barrett, Univ. of California Press, 2007.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: Ref. 200 Ob6

Packed with visuals and maps, this atlas is divided into sections covering many aspects of the world’s major religions, nonbelievers, indigenous beliefs, and lesser known and emerging faiths. From the origins, development, and spread of religion to current issues and conflicts, this small volume’s scope is wide ranging.

HELPFUL FOR: Humanities III & V, Humanities electives

FUN FOR: news hounds, armchair theologians, devil’s advocates, debaters