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Preparation
| Discussion | Essays
| Exams | Resources Assignments
Follow links (where provided) for additional details
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Reading
Preparation & Sharing: Including:
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Prepare answers in writing to study guide questions for sharing in class.
I will not collect these but will spot check to see that you've
done it and each student will be called on to share one or more
responses to questions for each chapter in the text. Do not be
caught off guard. If you
will be absent, I will accept your answers via e-mail no less than one hour before start of the class session.
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Current events news items related to course
content (Religion in American in the News): at least one per student over the course of the
semester, limit of 2 students per session (one item each). Share
more than one item during the semester for extra credit. Failure
to share even once will reduce grade for preparation.
One possible media source: Religion
& Ethics Newsweekly (airing on PBS - check your local
listings or subscribe to their podcast) Show & Tell:
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bring
in the item (print media or display video or news
item on Internet)
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be
able to summarize for us what you are sharing
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tell
us why the item caught your attention and how it relates
to some aspect of religion in America (relate to other
course materials)
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Other homework assignments given out in class TBA
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Small group discussion of questions related in-class video viewing (PBS
God in America series)
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Essays:
approximately 1000 words (per essay)
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At
least one related to the reading (one or two additional can be
done to reduce percent of preparation and/or discussion grade).
Only one essay per "book". See essay
questions for topics to choose from. See schedule
for due date(s) based on which question you choose to address.
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All students are to address this question at the
end of the semester:
Religion
has always been central to the national narrative and to America's sense of
mission at home and abroad. How important do you think it will remain to the
American story? What religious directions do you imagine the American story
might take in the years ahead? (From
PBS
series God in America study guide discussion
questions)
Composition as well as
content will count:
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Your "thesis"
statement, appearing in your first paragraph, should be an explicit answer
to the question.
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The remainder of your essay
should make several points in support of your thesis
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You are advised to review
the guide on
"how to write a formal essay".
Use the PEE paragraph structure:
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P = the main topic or point
of the paragraph (your topic sentence) should relate to the paper thesis
and appear as the first sentence of the paragraph
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E = provide sufficient evidence
(examples, quotes, paraphrases and other arguments) from the reading or
other sources to support the main point of the paragraph
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E = explain how the evidence supports the main point and relates to the
thesis of your paper.
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As a formal essay, you
should also include a concluding paragraph.
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Avoid
plagiarism! Limit your use of direct quotes and paraphrasing
from the book (or other sources). You should be able to restate the
information in your own words. Any direct quotes or paraphrasing should be
accompanied by parenthetical citation of pages referenced. If your
composition skills need work, take your draft to the writing center and revise it before submitting it.
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Exams:
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Three take-at-home/open
book unit exams on the reading
(15%/150 points) (in Blackboard course site) Time sensitive, cannot
be done late, check class schedule for deadline dates. Each exam
relates to one of the three books in our text. There are
matching/identification type questions. You get up to three attempts
for each (you best of the three count toward your grade).
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Final
exam: cumulative, multiple choice, closed book. To be done
in class during finals week.
Guidance:
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