From Primitive to Indigenous: The Academic Study of Indigenous Religions

by James L. Cox

Overview

The academic study of Indigenous Religions developed historically from missiological and anthropological sources, but little analysis has been devoted to this classification within departments of religious studies. Evaluating this assumption in the light of case studies drawn from Zimbabwe, Alaska and shamanic traditions, and in view of current debates over 'primitivism', James Cox mounts a defence for the scholarly use of the category 'Indigenous Religions'.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754655695
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/18/2007
Series:	Vitality of Indigenous Religions
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

James L. Cox is Professor of Religious Studies in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Introduction; Chapter 1 The Academic Study of Indigenous Religions; Chapter 2 Essentialism and the World Religions Paradigm; Chapter 3 Defining ‘Indigenous’ Scientifically; Chapter 4 Towards a Socio-cultural, Non-essentialist Interpretation of Religion; Chapter 5 The Yupiit of Alaska; Chapter 6 The Adaptive Nature of Indigenous Religions in Zimbabwe; Chapter 7 Indigenous Religions and the Debate over Primitivism; Chapter 101 Afterword;

Reading Group Guide

James Cox is currently Reader (Associate Professor) in Religious Studies and Convener of the Religious Studies Subject Area in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, where he has created a specialization in the study of Indigenous Religions.

Editorial Reviews

’This is a valuable book.’ Journal of the American Academy of Religion ’... an interesting and challenging book.’ Anthropos

From the Publisher