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: The Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Popular Culture

Lura Sanborn — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:59:51 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Popular Culture edited by Gary Hoppenstand, Greenwood Press, 2007.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 306.03 G85W

Each volume in this 6-volume set discusses popular culture from a particular area of the world.

Included are:
• Volume 1 – North America
• Volume 2 – Latin America
• Volume 3 – Europe
• Volume 4 – North Africa and the Middle East
• Volume 5 – Sub-Saharan Africa
• Volume 6 – Asia and Pacific Oceania

Each volume then discusses the following topics:
•   Architecture
•   Art
•   Dance
•   Fashion and Appearance
•   Film
•   Food and Foodways
•   Games, Toys and Pastimes
•   Literature
•   Love, Sex and Marriage
•   Music
•   Periodicals
•   Radio and Television
•   Sports and Recreation
•   Theater and Performance
•   Transportation and Travel

Helpful for: Humanities III, Humanities IV, Humanities IV Research Paper, Humanities V, Humanities V Research Paper, Topic Finding, History, Middle Eastern Voices, Global Studies

New Reference Book: Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Medieval World

Lura Sanborn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:12:16 +0000

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Medieval World edited by Pam J. Crabtree, Facts on File, 2008.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 909.07 F11S

A 4-volume set comprised of more than 70 articles focused on Medieval society and culture. Each entry discusses the article topic from the viewpoint of the following geographic areas:
•   Africa
•   The Americas
•   Asia and the Pacific
•   Europe
•   The Islamic World

Illustrations, maps and a smattering of primary source documents are included throughout.

Examples include: Calendars and Clocks, Education, Food and Diet, Gender Structures and Roles, Money and Coinage, Weaponry and Armor.

Helpful for: Humanities III, History, European History, Medieval Studies, Medieval Enthusiasts

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: 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