Scrapbook with commentary and reflection: Make a habit of reviewing the weekly newspaper and news magazines for items related to religion (you might also be interested in watching ). Collect items of interest to you and write your own commentary on the pieces you read. Collect examples of recent articles (news, opinion, feature, filler) from a variety of sources: newspapers, newsmagazines, radio and TV which relate to the subject areas discussed in the course you are taking (Eastern or Western religions, Religion in America, Islam in the News). For items that come from radio and TV programs, try to find a reference for these on the Internet to print and include in your collection. Your collection of news items should be current: appearing during your enrollment period in the course Your collection should represent a span of time covering several months rather than be collected all within a week or two (the point is to make a habit of paying attention to religion in the news rather than to seek out such items simply for the sake of seeking them out) Your collection should include a variety of sources:  at least one item from local and/or regional daily newspapers (e.g. the Washington Post, Washington Times, Fairfax journal, etc.) - check the Saturday religion pages and also any items regarding religion you may come across in other sections at least one item from a newsmagazine (e.g. Time, Newsweek, etc.) short fillers but especially multi-page feature articles (look especially for cover stories) at least one item from radio/TV sources, including at least one week's airing of Religion & Ethics Newsweekly (airs on PBS stations in the DC area on Sunday mornings - check local listings for time and station). NPR radio often has interesting pieces featuring religion.  no more than half your collection should rely exclusively on Internet sources A decent collection will include at least ten items from a variety of sources: include a copy of each item along with the date and source (both NPR and Religion & Ethics Newsweekly have websites where you can print out transcripts or synopsis of stories you get from these sources. Visit your local NPR station site for certain programming: WAMU). Grading based on how extensive your collection is: more items = larger percentage of course grade (see "grading" below). For each item in your collection: Demonstrate that you have actually read and thought about the issues: Highlight key passages and summarize the main point(s) of each piece Briefly note how the piece relates to the content of the course you are taking (be specific, relate the piece to a specific issue, topic, or religion you are learning about) Briefly note what you liked best about the piece or any criticisms you may have about it: Why did this item catch your attention? Comment on any bias you detect in each piece (or if the piece is strictly informative) Comment on any possible misrepresentation of the religion or issues being discussed (this you may be aware of due to what you are learning in the course) Comment on any personal opinions you have on the issue being discussed and the way it was presented: do you agree/disagree with the ideas and information presented by the author? Why or why not? Do you feel the author did a good job covering the issue in question? Explain. A paragraph for each item should suffice Organize your collection into broad topics (e.g. religion & culture, religion & politics, religion and social/moral issues, items related to the same religion, etc.) When your collection is complete: write a 500 - 750 word formal essay reflecting on and analyzing your collection, your experience following religion in the news, and the way and degree to which religion is covered in the news media: What sort of news items caught your attention? Why? How do the various items you collected relate to the content of the course you are taking? Do you think the media does a good job of covering news related to religion? Why or why not?  Cite examples, from your collection, of some of the better and worse pieces, noting what makes them better and worse.  Do some sources do a better job than others? which ones? In what way?  How can other sources improve their coverage (quantity) and/or approach (perspective - quality) to reporting on religion in current events? Do you think they should? Why or why not? Conclude with reflections on the value of this exercise for you and any other comments or observations you may have regarding the state of religion in the news. If the focus of your collection is on Islam in the News: focus on the following questions for your essay: What were your perceptions and ideas about Islam and Muslims before doing this assignment and taking this course? Where did most of your knowledge about Islam and Muslims come from prior to this assignment/course? How do representations of Islam and Muslims differ between visual and print media? Cite specific examples from your collection.  Does the representation of Islam and Muslims in the media differ from what you have learned about Islam and Muslims though other sources in your course? In what way? Why or why not? Have your perceptions and ideas about Islam and Muslims changed as a result of doing this assignment? Is so, how and why? If not, why not? If you were a TV or newspaper reporter, how would you approach your coverage of Islam and Muslims? Cite specific examples from your collection, identifying which approaches you would avoid and which you would take and why? What would influence your decisions regarding what to cover, what not to cover and how to cover it? Conclude with any other comments, reflections or observations you may have. Grading criteria: 10 items with reflection plus analytical/reflective essay = 15% of course grade (a more extensive collection of items may be worth more credit)  Quantity: Number of articles included in project determines overall percent of project toward course grade (1% per article, 10 articles = 10%) Quality and completeness of reflection on each item included in your collection Variety and currency (spanning several months during period of enrollment in course) of sources, properly cited Content and composition of reflective essay (additional 5%)