Reference no: EM133621385 , Length: 4 Pages

Assignment:

Topics in Religion

The purpose of this major paper is to closely study a topic, theme, practice, structure, or other matters related to religions. There will be several topics from which to choose.

Secondly, this paper will require the submission of an outline, which will be a separate assignment.

The length requirement is 4+ pages, not including pages other than content.

OPTION ONE: THEMATIC COMPARISON

For this option you are to choose a topic, theme, practice, structure, etc. found in different religions, and do a comparison of the manner in which that topic is understood, manifested, practiced, and so on, in the religions you choose. Since religions not only have their own contained ideas and practices, but extend out to many things related to who we are, how we live, our cultures, our politics, our families, and so forth, there are many things to choose from.

For clarity let me offer an example: virtue. Notice that I used a particular manifestation of ethics rather than just ethics broadly construed. (I will discuss this in class.) Now suppose that I wish to compare how virtue is understood in both Catholic Christianity and Ruism. I will then proceed to do some research, outline my essay and compare how each of these different religions understand virtue: what is in common, what is different, and so on. I may offer a section of my paper making a case for one version of virtue over the other. Or, I may offer a section discussion how virtue is so important, and how these religions have much to offer on this topic. Then again, I may offer something quite different. You may, in other words, be created here.

To get you thinking a bit, here are some broad topics. You may narrow, expand, or qualify these as you wish, or simply do something a little different. The list: ultimacy, God, prayer, meditation, marriage, family, organization (religious), love, sexuality, architecture, art, poetry, saintly figures, angelic figures, overlapping narratives (i.e., similar or common stories and figures found in distinct religions), worship, philosophy, morality, moral stances on contemporary issues, nature, and on and on.

A few important considerations: First, be sure you are comparing the same kind of thing. For example, let's say you are discussing the topic of men and women. Don't offer a Daoist metaphysical description of men and women compared to, say, the roles of men and women in a Muslim community. These are very different! Second, be sensitive to sectarian distinctions found in many religions. Sufi's are a unique sect of Islam; Greek Orthodox theology is vastly different from that of some small Evangelical Church in Arkansas. You get the point. Now that said, you may, if you choose, compare sects. That might make a good paper, actually.

OPTION TWO: CLOSE STUDY

This option is a bit like the comparison, but you are to do a close and deep study of a theme such as the ones listed above. You may study the chosen theme through one or more religions. In choosing more than one, it will not be a comparison/contrast paper as above. In the comparison/contrast paper your target is more about the religions in question. But you can also just keep in simple and do a focused study. For example, you can examine nature in Daoism, Shinto, and Christianity. Or, you can do a more focused study of nature in Daoism.

OPTION THREE: ANALYSIS OF A WORK OF RELIGIOUS WRITING (IN WHOLE OR IN PART)

This is a good option for those who like philosophy, theology, and even literature. Your task here is to do an interpretive or exegetical essay on a work of classical or contemporary religious work. I'd rather you not do Bible or Quranic exegesis. Try to look for more topical writings. No popular writings such as "pop-spirituality" and the like.