Purpose and Program Description

The Libraries seek to support research in the religious experience of Western Europe, the United States and Canada during all historical and pre-historical periods, as well as comparative work touching upon that religious experience. It supports the needs of undergraduate, MA/MS students, Ph.D. students, the teaching faculty, post-docs, and research staff members.

While no new courses have been introduced in recent years, interest in the study of the African-American religious experience has increased significantly, as has interest in the religious experiences of women within religious institutions.

Areas of established specialization are classical studies, Christianity, and comparative religious studies.

General Selection Guidelines (See classed analysis for further details)

Overall, the Libraries’ existing collection, its current acquisitions commitment, based upon available resources, and its collecting goal for Comparative Religion are all at the research level.

Specific Delimitations

1. Formats collected: We collect annuals, monographs, periodicals, CD-Roms, other electronic tools, reference tools and scholarly series extensively and audio-visual materials, maps, dissertations, newspapers, and textbooks selectively.

2. Imprint Dates Collected: We collect current and 20^th century publications extensively and 19th century and earlier materials selectively.

3. Chronological Focus: Topics from all time periods are collected extensively.

4. Languages Collected: We collect English and Western European language materials extensively and non-Western European materials selectively. Non-European languages are excluded. (See also Area Studies statements).

5. Place of Publication: We collect American, Canadian, French and German materials extensively and Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese selectively. Non-European publications are excluded. (See also Area Studies statements).