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URL REL 2011 Introduction to Religion Midterm Essay Exam The three primary purposes of this assignment are (1) to assess your ability to communicate effectively in formal essay writing, (2) to gauge your knowledge of the material covered in the textbook, lectures, and class discussions, and (3) to invite you to demonstrate critical and creative thought in weighing in on the subject matter. Use Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style for all writing assignments in this course. For assistance with MLA style, you may consult the library or the web. Here is a good online reference guide: Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct and will not be tolerated. On your paper include your name, Panther ID number, course number, and the name of the professor.
It must be double spaced, have 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) and be typed in 12-point font, Times New Roman or Calibri. Include one Works Cited at the end. All writing will be submitted through Canvas using turnitin technology. Use the following credentials to add this class: Due 7/29/2020, 11:59 p.m. Answer 2 of the 3 questions below.
The total word count for this midterm exam must be at least 1,000. You may divide the 1,000 words between the two essays in whatever way works best for you to answer the questions thoughtfully. For each essay, cite your textbook plus at least one other academic source. Include one Works Cited listing all sources (the textbook, 1 academic source for the first essay, 1 academic source for the second essay, and any other works that you cite) at the end of the exam. 1.
Our textbook is entitled, Anatomy of the Sacred. What is “the Sacred?†Utilize the contributions from individual scholars or thinkers. Include considerations of sacred space, sacred time, and religious experience. 2. Select a rite of passage that you consider unfamiliar.
Provide historical background for the practice and explain why it qualifies as a rite of passage. Explain how this 3-stage ritual transformation functions for the individual and for the community. Stage 1 = Departure/Separation Stage 2 = Initiation/Transition/Liminality Stage 3 = Return/Reincorporation 3. Identify a contemporary controversy that has a religious component of some kind. Demonstrate how an understanding of religion can (a) shed light on the causes, details, and context of the controversy, (b) provide decision-makers with insight into finding solutions to problems arising from the controversy, and (c) offer a social strategy for dealing with similar problems should they arise in the future.
NOTE: For the purpose of this assignment, “academic source†refers to a work of scholarship such as a peer-reviewed journal article or monograph. Students are invited to consult the instructor or a librarian if they need further clarification. In the field of Religious Studies, it is important to identify when sources are providing an insider perspective such as the faith-based theological interpretation of a religious adherent. These are allowed and valuable sources for reporting how religious persons understand their beliefs, practices, etc., but they are not considered “academic sources.†Academic sources aid analysis by providing an outsider perspective, treating religious beliefs, practices, etc., as objects of history and scientific inquiry.
For examples of different types of sources, student will consult sheet provided by instructor. 20% of final grade Grading Criteria 5% Includes proper works cited with textbook plus at least 2 other academic sources (1 for each essay) 5% Uses MLA style correctly to cite sources 10% Demonstrates adequate use of grammar, sentence structure, word choice, punctuation, spelling, organization, and other style guidelines mentioned here or in the syllabus 20% For the first essay, demonstrates knowledge of material in order to provide informed answers to all questions asked 20% For the first essay, demonstrates critical and original thought: weighs in on the issues 20% For the second essay, demonstrates knowledge of material in order to provide informed answers to all questions asked 20% For the second essay, demonstrates critical and original thought: weighs in on the issues
Paper For Above instruction
The midterm exam for the Introduction to Religion course requires students to engage in thoughtful, analytical, and well-researched essay writing. The assignment aims to evaluate students’ abilities to articulate ideas clearly and to demonstrate their understanding of religious concepts, practices, and controversies through academic writing. Students are instructed to select and answer two of three provided questions, ensuring their responses are supported by scholarly sources and correctly formatted according to MLA style. The essays should collectively amount to at least 1,000 words, showcasing critical thinking and originality in the analysis.
Understanding the Concept of the Sacred
In the first essay, students are asked to explore the notion of “the Sacred” as presented in the textbook, Anatomy of the Sacred. This involves synthesizing contributions from a range of scholars or thinkers to develop a nuanced discussion. Students should consider how sacred space, sacred time, and religious experience serve as fundamental elements that shape religious understanding and practice. For example, anthropologists like Eliade (1957) have emphasized the importance of sacred space and time in establishing a sense of the divine’s presence in human life. Eliade argued that sacred spaces serve as points of contact with the divine, while sacred time—marked by rituals and festivals—provides a rhythm that transcends ordinary existence. Additionally, religious experiences—such as mystical visions or moments of transcendence—highlight personal encounters with the sacred that reinforce community and individual spirituality. Students should incorporate scholarly perspectives to define what constitutes “the Sacred” and its significance in various religious traditions.
Rite of Passage: Historical and Cultural Perspectives
For the second essay, students are asked to select a rite of passage that they find unfamiliar, providing historical context and explaining its relevance as a rite of passage. The essay should detail the three-stage model—departure/separation, initiation/transition/liminality, and return/reincorporation—relating each stage to the specific ritual. For instance, the Jewish Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, or traditional initiation rites in indigenous cultures, can serve as examples, provided they are thoroughly explained. The paper should analyze how the ritual functions for the individual—marking a transition into a new status or role—and for the community—affirming collective identity. The discussion should include historical background, significance, and the symbolism embedded within each stage, advancing an understanding of how rites facilitate social cohesion and personal transformation.
Religion in Contemporary Controversies
In the third possible essay topic, students are asked to examine a current controversy involving religion. The goal is to analyze how understanding religious beliefs, practices, or identities can illuminate the causes and context of the dispute. For example, debates over religious exemptions in healthcare, freedom of speech versus religious expression, or conflicts over religious symbols in public spaces can be analyzed. Students should demonstrate how religious insights can aid policymakers in resolving disputes by considering religious motivations and ethical frameworks. The essay should also propose social strategies—such as dialogue, mutual respect, or accommodation—that could address the controversy and prevent future conflicts. This analysis requires a balanced, scholarly approach, situating religious perspectives within broader cultural and social contexts.
Research and Citation Guidance
Students must use scholarly sources—including peer-reviewed journal articles or monographs—and rely on the textbook for foundational knowledge. A minimum of two academic sources are required, one for each essay. Proper MLA citation is crucial, as well as the inclusion of a Works Cited list at the end. The assignment emphasizes clarity, grammatical accuracy, logical organization, and originality of thought. The grading criteria highlight the importance of demonstrating comprehension of course material, critical analysis, and proper scholarly citation practices.
Conclusion
This midterm encourages students to integrate their knowledge of religion with analytical skills, fostering an understanding that is both theoretically informed and practically insightful. By carefully selecting questions, supporting arguments with credible sources, and presenting ideas coherently, students can demonstrate their academic proficiency and reflect critically on the multifaceted nature of religion in human life.
References
- Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and The Profane: The Nature of Religious Experience. Harcourt, 1957.
- Smith, Huston. The World's Religions. HarperOne, 1991.
- Boyer, Paul. Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought. Basic Books, 2001.
- Rappaport, Roy A. Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity. Cambridge University Press, 1999.
- Eliade, Mircea. Patterns in Comparative Religion. Motilal Banarsidass, 1986.
- Fowler, James W. Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning. HarperOne, 1981.
- Durkheim, Emile. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Oxford University Press, 2008.
- Oxtoby, Wendy, and Amir Hussain. New Religious Movements in the Twenty-First Century. Oxford University Press, 2019.
- Keane, Webb. Religious Experience Reconsidered: A Building-Block Approach. Princeton University Press, 2014.
- Theisen, A. J., and Mark Juergensmeyer. Religion in the Contemporary World: A Directory of Religious Organizations. Routledge, 2017.