TouchStone Essay
\nIn a 400-600 word short essay, you will explain the difficulties involved in defining religion.
\nThen you will select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and explain its strengths and weaknesses.
\nTouchstone 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions
\nASSIGNMENT: In this unit, you learned some of the reasons for studying religion. You also learned that religion is universally recognizable, yet difficult to define. A narrow definition of religion that ties it to a belief in and worship of a higher, supernatural power, can exclude religions like Buddhism. On the other hand, definitions of religion that eliminate mention of the otherworldly or divine by equating it simply with \u201cfaith\u201d or \u201cbelief\u201d yield an understanding that is overly-broad.<\/p>\n
Due to the challenges of studying religion, various methodologies have arisen including: phenomenology, theology, historical approaches, comparison, philosophy, and sociology. This Touchstone gives you an opportunity to reflect on these major approaches to studying religion.<\/p>\n
In a 400-600 word short essay, you will explain the difficulties involved in defining religion. Then you will select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking, and explain its strengths and weaknesses.
\nA. Assignment Guidelines
\nDIRECTIONS: Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define. Review the lessons in Unit 1 as you consider your response. Then, select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and explain what you believe to be its strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n
Your short essay should include four parts:
\n\u2022\tExplain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define.
\n\u2022\tSelect one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and summarize the approach in your own words.
\n\u2022\tExplain a strength of this approach to studying religion.
\n\u2022\tExplain a weakness of this approach to studying religion.
\nThe methods for studying religion discussed in Unit 1 include:
\n\u2022\tPhenomenology
\n\u2022\tTheology
\n\u2022\tHistorical Approaches
\n\u2022\tComparative Religion
\n\u2022\tPhilosophy of Religion
\n\u2022\tSociology of Religion
\nAs you develop your reflection, be sure to engage with the course material from Unit 1. You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the lesson and use the following format:
\n\u2022\tIn-text citation: (Primal Religions, n.d.)
\n\u2022\tReference: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning. https:\/\/app.sophia.org\/spcc\/approaches-to-studying-religions–2\/unit1\/study-guide\/7845\/primal-religions-2
\nRefer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
\n\u2752 Have you explained two reasons why religion is difficult to define, in your own words?
\n\u2752 Have you selected a method for studying religion from Unit 1 and summarized the approach?
\n\u2752 Have you explained a strength and a weakness of this approach to studying religion?
\n\u2752 Does your short essay demonstrate engagement with the course material from Unit 1?
\n\u2752 Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?
\n\u2752 Have you cited examples with in-text citations?
\n\u2752 Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?
\n________________________________________
\nB. Rubric
\nAdvanced (100%) \tProficient (80%)\tNeeds Improvement (60%)
\nReflects on the Definition of Religion
\nEssay reflects on the difficulty of defining religion.\tEssay offers a clear discussion of two reasons why religion is difficult to define.\tEssay offers a clear discussion of at least one reason why religion is difficult to define.\tEssay offers a discussion of at least one reason why religion is difficult to define, but discussion may be unclear or vague.
\nSummarizes a Method for Studying Religion
\nEssay selects and summarizes a method for studying religion.\tEssay selects a method for studying religion and clearly and accurately summarizes it. Engagement with course material is evident.\tEssay selects a method for studying religion and summarizes it. Engagement with course material is less evident.\tEssay selects a method for studying religion and attempts to summarize it, but summary may be inaccurate or unclear.
\nReflects on a Strength of the Method
\nEssay reflects on a strength of the selected method for studying religion.\tEssay demonstrates insightful reflection on a strength of the method. Engagement with course material is evident.\tEssay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a strength of the method. Engagement with course material is less evident.\tEssay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a strength of the method. No engagement with course material is evident.
\nReflects on a Weakness of the Method
\nEssay reflects on a weakness of the selected method for studying religion.\tEssay demonstrates insightful reflection on a weakness of the method. Engagement with course material is evident.\tEssay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a weakness of the method. Engagement with course material is less evident.\tEssay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a weakness of the method. Engagement with course material is less evident.
\nConventions
\nSubmission follows conventions for standard written English.\tThere are one or no errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. Examples are cited appropriately.\tThere are minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that do not impede readability. Examples are cited appropriately.\tThere are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that impede readability. Examples may not be cited appropriately.
\nMeets requirements
\nSubmission meets formatting requirements, including 12-point font, double-spacing, and word count.\tAll requirements for formatting and length are met.\tRequirements for formatting and length are mostly met.\tRequirements for formatting and length are somewhat met.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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