New Age Movement Research Paper

BACKGROUND

A controversial concept, the New Age movement does not fit neatly into a category. Believers have an interest in alternative philosophy and a desire to create a more humane and self-sufficient society. The New Age is often equated with psychic phenomena, spirituality, and the occult as well as holistic medicine, consciousness studies and environmental causes. New Age advocates attempt to integrate these diverse aspects of life into a harmonious and balanced whole.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

016.78

131

133

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

New Age movement

Spiritualism

Parapsychology

Use headings for specific New Age subjects.

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Birosik, Patti Jean. The New Age Music Guide, 1989.

Gold, Gari. The New Age A to Z (Xept X!): A Dictionary, 1992.

Melton, J. Gordon, et al. New Age Almanac, 1991.

Rhodes, Ron. New Age Movement: Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements, 1995.

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

America Online

CompuServe

Dialog

Internet

Prodigy
KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

New Age movement

Self-help movement

Spirituality

Spiritualism

New Age music

Use key word for specific New Age subject; e.g., crystals, holistic medicine, New Age music.

VIDEOTAPES ON THIS TOPIC

Light of the Spirit. Geffen Home Video, 1987.

The New Believers: Inside the “New Age” Movement. Monticello Productions, 1990.

FICTION BOOKS RELATING TO TOPIC

Qualey, Marsha. Everybody’s Daughter, 1991.

Tolan, Stephanie S. A Good Courage, 1988.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

New Age World Religious and Scientific Research Foundation, 62091 Valley View Circle, Josua Tree, CA 92252.

Unarius Academy of Science, 145 S. Magnolia Ave., El Cahon, CA 92020–4522.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Discuss Christianity and the New Age movement.

Evaluate the practice of dream interpretation.

Investigate healing through hypnotism.

Report on New Age retreats.

What is shamanism and how does it relate to New Age philosophy?

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Acupuncture

Astrology

Crystal energy

Holistic medicine

Macrobiotics

Reincarnation

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.