New book on teaching Religious Education by University of Chester academic

Understanding Hinduism: A Guide for Teachers by Dr James Holt, Associate Professor of Religious Education is published by Bloomsbury and available here.  

The book explores the beliefs and practices of Hinduism as a lived religion and engages with Hindu beliefs and practices, including the concepts that form the central beliefs of Hinduism and the expression of these beliefs in worship and daily life.  

The book uses the authentic voices of practicing Hindus to highlight differences in the ways Hinduism is understood and lived in different circumstances. The diversity of Hindu expression is one of the complex elements of Hinduism as well as being one of its strengths and James makes this diversity the centre of its exploration. Aimed at students and qualified teachers, each chapter allows the reader to consider the concepts and how they can be taught in the classroom. James also provides suggestions for activities that could be used in the classroom to help others to understand the richness and vibrancy of Hinduism. 

James is currently the Chair of Examiners for Pearson/Edexcel GCSE, A Level, and International GCSE Religious Studies. Prior to his role at Chester, he worked as a Religious Education secondary school teacher.  He is responsible for the leadership of RE in the School of Education which includes the running of the Secondary PGCE course and involvement in all aspects of Primary and Early Years work.   

James said: “In my role at the University of Chester I aim to train and inspire the RE teachers of the future. I hope that this book helps to give teachers more confidence to teach this fascinating area of RE.”