Key Terms in Material Religion - by S Brent Plate (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Material religion is a rapidly growing field, and this volume offers an accessible, critical entry into these new areas of research. Each "key term" uses case studies and is accompanied by a color image - an object, practice, space, or site. The entries cut across geographies, histories, and traditions, offering a versatile and engaging text for the classroom.

Key topics covered include:

- Icon, ritual, magic, gender, race
- Sacred, spirit, technology,
- Space, belief, body, brain
- Taste, touch, smell, sound, vision

Each entry demonstrates in clear and jargon-free prose how the key term figures prominently in understanding the materiality of religion. Written by leading international scholars, all entries are linked by the ways materiality stands at the forefront of the understanding of religion, whether that comes from humanistic, social scientific, artistic, curatorial, or other perspectives. Brent Plate brings his expertise and extensive teaching experience to the comprehensive introduction which introduces students to the themes and methods of the material cultural study of religion.

Key Terms in Material Religion provides a much-needed resource for courses on theory and method in religious studies, the anthropology of religion, and the ever-increasing number of courses focused on material religion.

Review Quotes

Brent Plate has marshalled an ambitious, and wide-ranging, lexicon of regularly deployed terms (37 in all) which help 'to show us the importance of the material world in the making and practising of religion'.
Art and Christianity

Over the past decade or so, material religion has solidified into one of the most productive discursive spaces within the study of religion's. By assembling a stimulating series of vivid entries on obvious and less obvious keywords, this volume displays the many handy affordances of this analytical screen. Especially noteworthy and timely is this anthology's attention to the senses, which will enrich readers' perception of religion.

This is a treasure chest, full of unexpected riches. Leading international scholars offer a range of lucid, sparkling and thought-provoking essays that shine new light on Key Terms in Material Religion. Enriched by a wealth of examples, memorable chapters combine to create an engaging, original and imaginative contribution to the study of material religion.
CHOICE

About the Author

S. Brent Plate is a writer, lecturer and Visiting Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Hamilton College, USA. He is co-founder and managing editor of Material Religion: The Journal of Objects, Art and Belief. His publications include The History of Religion in 5 1/2 Objects, Religion and Film, and The Religion and Film Reader.