ABSTRACT

Understanding living religion requires students to experience everyday religious practice in diverse environments and communities. This guide provides the ideal introduction to fieldwork and the study of religion outside the lecture theatre. Covering theoretical and practical dimensions of research, the book helps students learn to ‘read’ religious sites and communities, and to develop their understanding of planning, interaction, observation, participation and interviews. Students are encouraged to explore their own expectations and sensitivities, and to develop a good understanding of ethical issues, group-learning and individual research. The chapters contain student testimonies, examples of student work and student-led questions.

chapter 2|39 pages

Ways of studying religion off campus

Academic approaches and issues

chapter 3|32 pages

Where to study religion off campus

Places of worship and beyond

chapter 4|20 pages

Group fieldwork

Short field visits and residential study tours

chapter 5|32 pages

Independent fieldwork

Reflexivity, case studies, interviews and writing up

chapter 6|17 pages

Virtual fieldwork

Engaging with religions with new (and old) media