Invitation to World Religions - Softcover

Brodd, Jeffrey; Little, Layne; Nystrom, Bradley; Platzner, Robert; Shek, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199378363 ISBN 13: 9780199378364

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 2015

Synopsis

Featuring a unique, consistent, and modular chapter structure--"Teachings," "History," and "Ways of Life"--and numerous pedagogical features, Invitation to World Religions invites students to explore the world's great religions with respect and a sense of wonder. This chapter structure enables students to navigate each religion in a consistent and systematic way and helps students to make comparisons between religions. The book describes the essential features of each religion and shows how the religions have responded to basic human needs and to the cultural contexts in which they developed. The authors also encourage students to develop an appreciation for what religious beliefs and practices actually mean to their adherents. FEATURES A consistent, modular chapter structure--"Teachings, "History," and "Ways of Life"--enables students to navigate each religion in a consistent and systematic way and helps them to make comparisons between religions A lucid and accessible writing style imparts a sense of invitation, welcoming students into the beliefs and practices of religious adherents around the world A large team of authors with diverse specialties ensures that each religion is covered with true expertise "Voices" presents personal, candid interviews with a diverse array of people share the ways in which they live their faiths "Seeking Answers" sections at the end of each chapter encourage students to compare the ways in which different religions address the same essential questions "Visual Guides" offer keys to important religious symbols in easy-to-read tables for quick reference and comparison Chapter-opening maps and timelines throughout the text provide geographical, social, and political context for each religion's development "For Review" and "For Further Reflection" questions prompt students to reexamine essential concepts and invite students to think critically and to engage in deeper analyses Key terms are boldfaced at their first appearance and defined

About this title

Review:

"With an accessible style and a simple and consistent format, Invitation to World Religions, Second Edition, is a clear and concise introduction to world religions. Each chapter surveys the basic Teachings, History, and Way of Life of a religion, with emphases on the unity and diversity within religious traditions and communities, as well as on the daily lives of religious individuals. In addition to answering life's "big questions" (What exists? Who am I? What's important? How should I live? etc.), the text considers why and what it means for people to be religious--from personal and cultural values and motives, to holidays, clothes, food, and so forth. Practical, well-illustrated, and engaging, Invitation to World Religions is the best introductory textbook on the market."--Glenn Snyder, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

"Brodd's Invitation to World Religions is better structured, livelier, and despite being somewhat more sophisticated, more accessible than Molloy's Experiencing the World's Religions. I especially like the structure of the chapters and the 'Seeking Answers' questions that close each chapter."--S.T. Campagna-Pinto, California State University, Bakersfield

"The authors have a clear, smooth style of prose that is easy to read. It is perfect for students. The authors' expertise shows through. This book's breadth of coverage is what makes it book distinctive. I was quite amazed with the supplemental resources for the book. I have read and/or reviewed nearly every major World Religion textbook and have never found one with resources that I could use. The vocabulary flashcards are quite innovative and the various quizzes and tests will help students study the chapters. The PowerPoints are actually slides that I would use in class. Perhaps the best resource is the CNN video library. It is the type of material that I now look for on the internet. I see no equal to Invitation to World Religions at the present time."--Kenneth Atkinson, University of Northern Iowa

"This text excels in leading the reader/student toward compassion and understanding. Brodd is consistent and thorough, showing a sensitivity that makes the book stand out."--James A. Zeller, San Joaquin Delta College

"Invitation to World Religions is a well-written and conceptualized book that is accessible to students and helps them to understand religion and its role in the modern world."--Robert E. Brown, James Madison University

"Invitation to World Religions is a thoroughly enjoyable read, but also deals with how people live their lives according to their faith and religion. That is what is most distinctive and different."--Paul Schneider, University of South Florida

"Packaging religions under teachings, lifestyle, and history makes pedagogical sense to me. Other books are not organized as effectively. Invitation to World Religions stimulates critical thought and rational understanding of theological presuppositions and leads students to draw their own conclusions about the material."--Matthew Hallgarth, Tarleton State University

"I believe that Invitation to World Religions is superior to competing world religions textbooks on a number of counts. It is well written and the coverage tends to focus on a few items in each section and go into them with some helpful specific details instead of simply speaking in generalizations. It is very important to me that each chapter has the same format. Also, the 'visual guide' sections are wonderful."--John Sanders, Hendrix College

"The in-depth coverage of religious traditions, the visual guides and timelines, and the discussion starters, along with the readability of the text, make this a great choice." --Stephanie P. Curran, Hagerstorn Community College

"With an accessible style and a simple and consistent format, Invitation to World Religions, Second Edition, is a clear and concise introduction to world religions. Each chapter surveys the basic Teachings, History, and Way of Life of a religion, with emphases on the unity and diversity within religious traditions and communities, as well as on the daily lives of religious individuals. In addition to answering life's "big questions" (What exists? Who am I? What's important? How should I live? etc.), the text considers why and what it means for people to be religious--from personal and cultural values and motives, to holidays, clothes, food, and so forth. Practical, well-illustrated, and engaging, Invitation to World Religions is the best introductory textbook on the market."--Glenn Snyder, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

"Brodd's Invitation to World Religions is better structured, livelier, and despite being somewhat more sophisticated, more accessible than Molloy's Experiencing the World's Religions. I especially like the structure of the chapters and the 'Seeking Answers' questions that close each chapter."--S.T. Campagna-Pinto, California State University, Bakersfield

"The authors have a clear, smooth style of prose that is easy to read. It is perfect for students. The authors' expertise shows through. This book's breadth of coverage is what makes it distinctive. I was quite amazed with the supplemental resources for the book. I have read and/or reviewed nearly every major World Religion textbook and have never found one with resources that I could use. The vocabulary flashcards are quite innovative and the various quizzes and tests will help students study the chapters. The PowerPoints are actually slides that I would use in class. Perhaps the best resource is the CNN video library. It is the type of material that I now look for on the internet. I see no equal to Invitation to World Religions at the present time."--Kenneth Atkinson, University of Northern Iowa

"This text excels in leading the reader/student toward compassion and understanding. Brodd is consistent and thorough, showing a sensitivity that makes the book stand out."--James A. Zeller, San Joaquin Delta College

"Invitation to World Religions is a well-written and conceptualized book that is accessible to students and helps them to understand religion and its role in the modern world."--Robert E. Brown, James Madison University

"Invitation to World Religions is a thoroughly enjoyable read, but also deals with how people live their lives according to their faith and religion. That is what is most distinctive and different."--Paul Schneider, University of South Florida

"Packaging religions under teachings, lifestyle, and history makes pedagogical sense to me. Other books are not organized as effectively. Invitation to World Religions stimulates critical thought and rational understanding of theological presuppositions and leads students to draw their own conclusions about the material."--Matthew Hallgarth, Tarleton State University

"I believe that Invitation to World Religions is superior to competing world religions textbooks on a number of counts. It is well written and the coverage tends to focus on a few items in each section and go into them with some helpful specific details instead of simply speaking in generalizations. It is very important to me that each chapter has the same format. Also, the 'visual guide' sections are wonderful."--John Sanders, Hendrix College

"The in-depth coverage of religious traditions, the visual guides and timelines, and the discussion starters, along with the readability of the text, make this a great choice." --Stephanie P. Curran, Hagerstorn Community College

"I love Invitation to World Religions. I'd used Molloy for years and switched to Brodd last semester. It's less expensive for students and better all the way around."--Jeffrey Scholes, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

"With an accessible style and a simple and consistent format, Invitation to World Religions, Second Edition, is a clear and concise introduction to world religions. Each chapter surveys the basic Teachings, History, and Way of Life of a religion, with emphases on the unity and diversity within religious traditions and communities, as well as on the daily lives of religious individuals. In addition to answering life's "big questions" (What exists? Who am I? What's important? How should I live? etc.), the text considers why and what it means for people to be religious--from personal and cultural values and motives, to holidays, clothes, food, and so forth. Practical, well-illustrated, and engaging, Invitation to World Religions is the best introductory textbook on the market."--Glenn Snyder, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

"Brodd's Invitation to World Religions is better structured, livelier, and despite being somewhat more sophisticated, more accessible than Molloy's Experiencing the World's Religions. I especially like the structure of the chapters and the 'Seeking Answers' questions that close each chapter."--S.T. Campagna-Pinto, California State University, Bakersfield

"The authors have a clear, smooth style of prose that is easy to read. It is perfect for students. The authors' expertise shows through. This book's breadth of coverage is what makes it distinctive. I was quite amazed with the supplemental resources for the book. I have read and/or reviewed nearly every major World Religion textbook and have never found one with resources that I could use. The vocabulary flashcards are quite innovative and the various quizzes and tests will help students study the chapters. The PowerPoints are actually slides that I would use in class. Perhaps the best resource is the CNN video library. It is the type of material that I now look for on the internet. I see no equal to Invitation to World Religions at the present time."--Kenneth Atkinson, University of Northern Iowa

"This text excels in leading the reader/student toward compassion and understanding. Brodd is consistent and thorough, showing a sensitivity that makes the book stand out."--James A. Zeller, San Joaquin Delta College

"Invitation to World Religions is a well-written and conceptualized book that is accessible to students and helps them to understand religion and its role in the modern world."--Robert E. Brown, James Madison University

"Invitation to World Religions is a thoroughly enjoyable read, but also deals with how people live their lives according to their faith and religion. That is what is most distinctive and different."--Paul Schneider, University of South Florida

"Packaging religions under teachings, lifestyle, and history makes pedagogical sense to me. Other books are not organized as effectively. Invitation to World Religions stimulates critical thought and rational understanding of theological presuppositions and leads students to draw their own conclusions about the material."--Matthew Hallgarth, Tarleton State University

"I believe that Invitation to World Religions is superior to competing world religions textbooks on a number of counts. It is well written and the coverage tends to focus on a few items in each section and go into them with some helpful specific details instead of simply speaking in generalizations. It is very important to me that each chapter has the same format. Also, the 'visual guide' sections are wonderful."--John Sanders, Hendrix College

"The in-depth coverage of religious traditions, the visual guides and timelines, and the discussion starters, along with the readability of the text, make this a great choice." --Stephanie P. Curran, Hagerstorn Community College

About the Author:

Jeffrey Brodd is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento.

Layne Little is Lecturer of Religious Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

Bradley Nystrom is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento.

Robert Platzner is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento.

Richard Shek is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento.

Erin Stiles is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0199378363
• ISBN 13: 9780199378364
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 569