LibGuides: Religion Courses & Research: Websites

Your Humanities Librarian

Hi there!

Please contact Melissa Curtis for research assistance in the interim.

Contact:

Subjects:

Art; Languages, Literatures, & Cultural Studies (includes Film Studies); History; IS 201; Music; Music Therapy; Religion

Evaluating websites and all sources

Religion Websites Tips and Tricks

If you do a general Google search (topic only):

Choose result related to established entities such as seminaries, theological/academic presses, denominations, etc
Avoid generic websites that cover all types of religion unless you are comparing across traditions.
- These types of websites tend to be more like encyclopedia articles rather than providing you with more in-depth information.

If you do a more specific Google search (topic plus something else), try this:

Topic + denomination you are interested in, such as ecotheology and ELCA
Topic + seminary or other entity you are interested in

Remember the 3 Evaluation Questions!

Answer the three evaluation questions for any source you use, including websites!

What is it: What is the source type and author credibility?
- Quick Wikipedia checks are okay!
Why do I care: Does the source type and author credibility meet your needs?
- Decide this at the beginning so you know whether to investigate or find something better.
What does it really say: Perceive how the word choices influence the knowledge.
- How slanted the word choice is can make a difference in how or why you would use it.

Evaluation 3 Questions infographic
If you like your info as a graphic.

Religion in website sources

Linked Websites

Who says academic journals get to have all the fun? Religion touches every aspect of society--the people behind these websites have created some fascinating ways to explore what religion means.

Patheos
Allows users to select and compare different religions. Includes a multi-religion holiday calendar.
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
Reports on American religious beliefs, statistics, and mapping information.
ARDA: Association of Religion Data Archives
Provides access to data on religion, submitted by religion scholars and research centers. From the Department of Sociology at Penn State University.
Wabash Center Internet Guide to Religion
Funded by the Lily Endowment, this center provides a selective, annotated guide to a wide variety of electronic resources of interest to those who are involved in the study and practice of religion.
Why Study Religion?
This website was developed by the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the world's largest association of academics who research or teach topics related to religion.

Lutheran Connections

Augsburg Fortress
The ministry of publishing for the ELCA. Worship, music, education, and more.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a church deeply rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology and Lutheran confessions.