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Essay: What is Religion?
Why should you do this?
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This is an exercise in critical as well as
original thinking.
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The theme of this entire course is really an
exploration of the nature of religion. As such, over the course
of the semester, through your work in this course, your
understanding and appreciation of the complexity of religion
should be expanded. This essay should
demonstrate how your understanding of religion has changed over
the course of your involvement in this class.
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In addition, your critical thinking and
analysis skills should also develop through practice. This essay should also demonstrate development of
your thinking skills as well as ability to express and support your thoughts
in writing.
What should you do?
You are to write an essay exploring the nature and meaning of religion
(typed, 1000 - 1500 words). Describe, interpret, explain and
evaluate (review pp. 24 - 29 in Kessler)
Some questions you might consider:
- Describe and/or define religion - what does it consist
of?
- Interpret and explain: Develop your own theory
regarding the possible cause(s) or reasons for and meaning(s) of
religion, considering its pervasive nature in human culture and
life.
- Evaluate the validity and usefulness of your proposed
theory, considering the diversity of religions in the world.
(Here is where "academic honesty" and "critical
intelligence" comes in to play - review pp. 7 - 9 in
Kessler.) Are your observations and theories applicable to a
wide variety of religions? If not, why not? In what way(s) might
you modify your theories to make them more universal? Or,
conversely, offer a valid reason for not coming to a more
universal theory.
- Conclude with your own speculation regarding the future
of religion in a pluralistic culture and world increasingly
motivated by secularism and materialism. Will religion change?
Will it even survive? How?
- Be sure to use careful composition skills: include an
introduction and concluding paragraph. Although this is not
a research paper, if you do reference any sources, be sure
to cite those sources properly through footnotes and
bibliography.
Guidelines on writing formal
papers (if you need additional guidance)
Grading criteria:
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