'What's in a name?': the case for 'Study of Religions'. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sutcliffe, Steven J.
• Is Part Of: Religion. Volume 50:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Poststructuralism -- post-1960s -- discipline -- paradigm -- religious studies -- study of religions; Religion -- Periodicals; Religions -- Periodicals; Theology -- Periodicals; Religion -- Périodiques; Théologie -- Périodiques; Religion; Religions; Theology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 200.5
• DOI: 10.1080/0048721X.2019.1685181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-721X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article makes the case for adopting 'Study of Religions' as a single common disciplinary name for cross-cultural, comparative and theoretical studies of 'religion/s'. I argue that the grammatical and substantive format of this name adequately addresses disciplinary requirements and resolves a longstanding debate in the field. It also supplies a distinctive, recognizable international brand. While poststructuralist and deconstructionist work in the field has been stimulating, it has not fostered positive disciplinary identification. Adoption of a single name will promote centripetal drive and theoretical coherence which is where the most effective work in the Study of Religions has been done since the 1960s – and continues.