Getting Started

This guide is intended for students who are enrolled in Philosophy 215- Philosophy of Religion.

Reference works are an excellent way of getting background information on your topic. They're usually trustworthy because they've been written and reviewed by subject experts. Use these to increase your knowledge but NOT as sources for writing papers.

Electronic Reference Sources

Off-campus access requires my.emich authentication.

Oxford English Dictionary and Historical Thesaurus (OED Online) This link opens in a new window
Subjects: English Language, Word Origins
Info type: reference source, definitions, etymologies, quotations

The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy by Simon Blackburn
ISBN: 0585110727
Publication Date: 1996
From the library record click on the "An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web" link. From there just click "PDF Full Text" on the left and then "Search Within" at top left to search the dictionary.

Simon Blackburn offers an authoritative dictionary of philosophy available in a single volume, packed with helpful information for the novice and with astute observations for the expert. Ranging from Aristotle to Zen, the two thousand plus entries cover the entire span of philosophy, from the Vedas (written over three thousand years ago) to the most recent technical terminology, with ample coverage of important themes from Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy.
Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
ISBN: 0203169948
Publication Date: 1999
From the library record click on the "An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web" link. From there just click "PDF Full Text" on the left and then "Search Within" at top left to search the dictionary.

Encyclopedia of Religious and Spiritual Development
Great resource and easy search.

Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion by David A. Leeming (Editor); Kathryn Madden (Editor); Stanton Marlan (Editor)
ISBN: 9780387718026
Publication Date: 2010
Offers a collection of psychological interpretations of the stories, rituals, motifs, symbols, doctrines, dogmas, and experiences of the world's religious and mythological traditions. This encyclopedia applies a wide range of psychological approaches to understanding the form and content of religious and spiritual experience. Easy to search.
Encyclopedia of Science and Religion by Wentzel Van Huyssteen
ISBN: 0028659112
Publication Date: 2003
Use "search publication" field at top of page.
Encyclopaedia Judaica by Macmillan Reference U. S. A. Staff
ISBN: 9780028660974
Publication Date: 2006
Includes more than 21,000 entries on Jewish life, culture, history, and religion, written by Israeli, American and European subject specialists. Use "search publication" field at top of page.
A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy by John A. Grimes
ISBN: 0585042918
Publication Date: 1996
On the library record click the "Electronic Book Accessible" link. On the following page click "PDF Full Text" on left and then "Search Within at top left" to search the dictionary.

SAGE Knowledge This link opens in a new window
Ebooks and reference sources from SAGE.
Subjects: Many subjects, including African American Studies, Anthropology, Business Ethics, Communication, Criminology, Economics, Education, Gender Studies, History, Politics, Psychology, Social Issues, Social Work, Sociology.
Info type: encyclopedia articles, ebooks
Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
Search and display the full-text of reference books.
Subjects: Many subjects, including History, Education, Film, Health, Science, Social Science
Info type: encyclopedia and reference book entries.
List of sources.

Print Reference Sources

EMU Library's Print Reference Collection

Our print reference collection is located on the second level, west side.

Most reference materials having to do with religion have call numbers beginning with B.

Search Esearch - limit to Library Location: Reference Collection - 2nd Level West

Reference materials cannot be checked out.

Print Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia of Religion
Call Number: BL31 .E46 2005; Reference Collection -- First Floor
ISBN: 0028657330
Publication Date: 2004
Emphasizes religion's role within everyday life and as a unique experience from culture to culture. Entries present overarching themes - gender and religion, politics and religion. Color inserts illuminate themes such as pilgrimage, prayer, healing, and how these concepts are displayed in various religions throughout the world.

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Subjects: Arts, Communication & Speech, English & Literature, Languages & Linguistics, Philosophy & Religion