Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions
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Touchstone 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions
ASSIGNMENT: 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 “faith” or “belief” yield an understanding that is overly-broad.
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.
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.
A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: 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.
Your short essay should include four parts:
Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define.
Select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and summarize the approach in your own words.
Explain a strength of this approach to studying religion.
Explain a weakness of this approach to studying religion.
The methods for studying religion discussed in Unit 1 include:
Phenomenology
Theology
Historical Approaches
Comparative Religion
Philosophy of Religion
Sociology of Religion
As 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:
In-text citation: (Primal Religions, n.d.)
Reference: (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
Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
❒ Have you explained two reasons why religion is difficult to define, in your own words?
❒ Have you selected a method for studying religion from Unit 1 and summarized the approach?
❒ Have you explained a strength and a weakness of this approach to studying religion?
❒ Does your short essay demonstrate engagement with the course material from Unit 1?
❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?
❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?
❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?
B. Rubric
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement (60%) Non-Performance (0%)
Reflects on the Definition of Religion
Essay reflects on the difficulty of defining religion.
Essay offers a clear discussion of two reasons why religion is difficult to define. Essay offers a clear discussion of at least one reason why religion is difficult to define. Essay offers a discussion of at least one reason why religion is difficult to define, but discussion may be unclear or vague. Essay does not attempt to reflect on the difficulty of defining religion.
Summarizes a Method for Studying Religion
Essay selects and summarizes a method for studying religion.
Essay selects a method for studying religion and clearly and accurately summarizes it. Engagement with course material is evident. Essay selects a method for studying religion and summarizes it. Engagement with course material is less evident. Essay selects a method for studying religion and attempts to summarize it, but summary may be inaccurate or unclear. Essay does not select or summarize a method for studying religion.
Reflects on a Strength of the Method
Essay reflects on a strength of the selected method for studying religion.
Essay demonstrates insightful reflection on a strength of the method. Engagement with course material is evident. Essay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a strength of the method. Engagement with course material is less evident. Essay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a strength of the method. No engagement with course material is evident. Essay does not attempt to reflect on the strengths of any method for studying religion.
Reflects on a Weakness of the Method
Essay reflects on a weakness of the selected method for studying religion.
Essay demonstrates insightful reflection on a weakness of the method. Engagement with course material is evident. Essay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a weakness of the method. Engagement with course material is less evident. Essay demonstrates a more superficial reflection on a weakness of the method. Engagement with course material is less evident. Essay does not attempt to reflect on the weaknesses of any method for studying religion.
Conventions
Submission follows conventions for standard written English.
There are one or no errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. Examples are cited appropriately. There are minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that do not impede readability. Examples are cited appropriately. There are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that impede readability. Examples may not be cited appropriately. There are consistent errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that significantly impede readability. Examples are not cited appropriately.
Meets requirements
Submission meets formatting requirements, including 12-point font, double-spacing, and word count.
All requirements for formatting and length are met. Requirements for formatting and length are mostly met. Requirements for formatting and length are somewhat met. Requirements for formatting and length are not met at all.
C. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
Composition must be between 400-600 words.
Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
In-text citations should use this style: (Primal Religions, n.d.)
References should use this style: (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
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