Socialization as Education in a Cross-Cultural Revitalization Movement in Southern California - Softcover

Rath, G.

9780761846536: Socialization as Education in a Cross-Cultural Revitalization Movement in Southern California

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761846530 ISBN 13: 9780761846536

Publisher: University Press of America, 2009

This grounded theory study investigates how the Falun Gong, a religious movement, recruits and instructs followers in Southern California. This study uses grounded theory methodology with unstructured interviews, overt participant observations of meetings, and text analysis of published Falun Gong materials used by the practitioners.

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About the Author:

G. David Rath taught at Biola University while researching for this book. He has also taught in mainland China, as well as on Taiwan, where he currently teaches negotiation and debate, intercultural communication, computer assisted learning, and a number of ESL courses for Shih Chien University and Christ's College. Besides theorizing about education, culture, and religion, his interests include critical and creative thinking and open source computing.

Review:

Rath's work provides deep and sensitive insight into one of the most dynamic yet lesser-known new movements in recent years. It is a must-read... (Richard L. Starcher, Ph.D., associate professor of intercultural education, Biola University)

An exciting and fresh approach to the study of new religious movements....Using insights and theoretical constructs from the field of intercultural studies, education, and socialization, the author explores the manner in which Falun Gong adherents enthusiastically share their beliefs and instruct inquirers regarding the basic concepts of their religion. The author avoids becoming embroiled in the political controversies associated with Falun Gong and in the process provides a whole new perspective on the study of new religious movements, greatly expanding previous approaches to such studies. (Douglas Hayward, Ph.D., professor of intercultural studies and chair, Department of Anthropology, Intercultural Education, and Missiology (AIM), Biola U)

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