This volume investigates various processes by which world religions become localized, as well as how local traditions in Southeast Asia and Melanesia become universalized. In the name of modernity and progress, the contemporary Southeast Asian states tend to press their populations to have a 'religion,' claiming that their local, indigenous practices and traditions do not constitute religion. Authors analyze this 'religionization,' addressing how local people appropriate religion as a category to define some of their practices as differentiated from others, whether they want to have a religion or are constrained to demonstrate that they profess one. Thus, 'religion' is what is regarded as such by these local actors, which might not correspond to what counts as religion for the observer. Furthermore, local actors do not always concur regarding what their religion is about, as religion is a contested issue. In consequence, each of the case studies in this volume purposes to elucidate what gets identified and legitimized as 'religion', by whom, for what purpose, and under what political conditions.

Philosophy can transform your life. But the only philosophy that can save you is your own. Yet how do you find your own in an age of misinformation and unbridled spin, when truth is unfashionable and hype hyper-attractive. Where is the air needed to breathe the honest spirit of inquiry? How to Play Philosophy is a breezy array of lyrical, creative essays that explore timeless and timely ideas about who we are, how we live and what we think. MIT-trained philosopher Michael Picard gives airing to numerous philosophers from conflicting traditions and builds an intellectual background to enable readers to draw their own conclusions. Written in a spirit of free and playful inquiry, the essays were composed originally to support public participatory philosophy, or Cafe Philosophy, which the author has facilitated for decades. Subjects include Play it With Feeling (Desire, Stress, Anger); Games We Play (Intimacy, Loyalty, Betrayal) and Playing Fair (Values, Good, Integrity), alongside epistemological topics including Truth (Knowledge, Certainty, Objectivity) and the perennial metaphysical quandaries (Human Nature, The Sacred, God). Written for everyone interested in exploring age-old subjects in an age of disposable content, How to Play Philosophy offers playful provocations with the aim of enabling independent thinking and deeper public conversations.

This comprehensive handbook provides an overview of current trends in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) teacher education and professional development across the globe. It highlights theories and practices in CALL teacher education and professional development in five sections, such as English language teaching, including pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, teacher educators, material developers, course designers and researchers. It explores the role of CALL teacher education and professional development in many underexplored countries such as Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. It stresses the critical role of professional development programs, from the use of technology in its generic sense. The theoretical and empirical chapters in the book provide a more inclusive and comprehensive picture of various aspects of CALL teacher education and professional development globally. It offers context-specific approaches and strategies to language teachers and teacher educators. It provides pedagogical implications and suggestions for promoting digital literacy and autonomy in online education. This book provides valuable insights for researchers, teacher educators and teacher trainers in applied linguistics.

Indonesia is a remarkable case study for religious politics. While not being a theocratic country, it is not secular either, with the Indonesian state officially defining what constitutes religion, and every citizen needing to be affiliated to one of them. This book focuses on Java and Bali, and the interesting comparison of two neighbouring societies shaped by two different religions - Islam and Hinduism. The book examines the appropriation by the peoples of Java and Bali of the idea of religion, through a dialogic process of indigenization of universalist religions and universalization of indigenous religions. It looks at the tension that exists between proponents of local world-views and indigenous belief systems, and those who deny those local traditions as qualifying as a religion. This tension plays a leading part in the construction of an Indonesian religious identity recognized by the state. The book is of interest to students and scholars of Southeast Asia, religious studies and the anthropology and sociology of religion.

Indonesia is a remarkable case study for religious politics. While not being a theocratic country, it is not secular either, with the Indonesian state officially defining what constitutes religion, and every citizen needing to be affiliated to one of them. This book focuses on Java and Bali, and the interesting comparison of two neighbouring societies shaped by two different religions - Islam and Hinduism.

The book examines the appropriation by the peoples of Java and Bali of the idea of religion, through a dialogic process of indigenization of universalist religions and universalization of indigenous religions. It looks at the tension that exists between proponents of local world-views and indigenous belief systems, and those who deny those local traditions as qualifying as a religion. This tension plays a leading part in the construction of an Indonesian religious identity recognized by the state. The book is of interest to students and scholars of Southeast Asia, religious studies and the anthropology and sociology of religion.

English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia: New Insights into Teaching and Learning English offers a detailed discussion of key aspects of teaching and learning English in the Saudi context and offers a comprehensive overview of related research authored or co-authored by Saudi researchers. It provides readers with an understanding of the unique cultural, linguistic, and historical context of English in Saudi Arabia-with a focus on the principal factors that may influence successful teaching and learning of English in this country. Uniquely, the book looks separately at issues pertaining to in-country English learning and learners, and those pertaining to in-country English teaching and teachers. The volume also explores issues concerning Saudi learners and teachers in overseas contexts. Lastly, the book touches on the future of English as a Foreign Language and TESOL in Saudi Arabia and its implications for the field.

English as a Foreign Language in Saudi Arabia: New Insights into Teaching and Learning English offers a detailed discussion of key aspects of teaching and learning English in the Saudi context and offers a comprehensive overview of related research authored or co-authored by Saudi researchers. It provides readers with an understanding of the unique cultural, linguistic, and historical context of English in Saudi Arabia-with a focus on the principal factors that may influence successful teaching and learning of English in this country. Uniquely, the book looks separately at issues pertaining to in-country English learning and learners, and those pertaining to in-country English teaching and teachers. The volume also explores issues concerning Saudi learners and teachers in overseas contexts. Lastly, the book touches on the future of English as a Foreign Language and TESOL in Saudi Arabia and its implications for the field.

This book introduces the main waste heat sources that come from the industrial, electric, commercial, residential and transportation sectors of society. The wide applications of waste heat through heat pumps are then detailed, mainly including gas heating, hot water production, and steam production (for sterilization, distillation, rectification, etc.). A summary of the main findings and trends in the area of ejector-enhanced efficiency of waste heat recovery cycles and systems using low boiling point working fluids. Following a brief overview of the ejector, selected configurations of interest are presented and discussed in a variety of applications. The purpose of the following chapter is to provide a concise overview of waste heat availability and energy capturing potential, and the different technologies available for its recovery as well as their advantages and challenges. In closing, the different types of waste heat recovery technologies that are used in cement plants to produce electricity are reviewed, and the potential for electricity production from heat exhaust gases of three cement plants by using waste heat recovery technology is discussed.

An introduction to the pronunciation and phonetics of French for English-speaking students. Recent research has shown that adult learners can achieve good and even near-native pronunciation by using a phonetics-based approach. This book is the result of many years' experience of teaching pronunciation and takes the student in easy stages through the different sounds of French. No previous knowledge of phonetics is required. The style is lively and accessible and each chapter contains a set of specially designed exercises for the sounds studied.

The Manifesto of Compassionate Bastardism is, on the one hand, pure entertainment offering an irreverent view of modern life. On the other hand, it is a serious political text tapping into the international dissatisfaction with the current political and philosophical reality which has resulted in war and worldwide economic recession and offering a viable 'third way' to failed Capitalism and Socialism. The book's controversial and even shocking stance on various issues is likely to awake media interest and even public ire. Compassionate Bastardism is a philosophy of pragmatism that is informed by and informs the realities of living in modern society. Compassionate Bastardism acknowledges the seeming contradiction that human beings are capable of compassion for each other and, often at the same time, of inordinate selfishness. Instead of attempting to suppress either the compassionate or the bastard side of human nature, Compassionate Bastardism values both the egocentric and the societal and harnesses these instincts in a social and political philosophy which protects the weak and works for the 'greater good', while encouraging the progress brought about through individualism.