Each unit of this course provides a general introduction to the theoretical, practical, and sociological expressions of a religion.

Each unit of this course provides a general introduction to the theoretical, practical, and sociological expressions of a religion. But religions only truly exist in the particular, embedded in diverse cultures which transform religious expressions in various ways. Furthermore, each religion also exerts influence on that culture, on its educational and political institutions and artistic expressions. In this paper, you will explore this intersection of religion and culture by researching the CURRENT concrete reality of an individual religious tradition in a specific country.

Paper Overview. Investigate and report on the lived reality of a specific religion we are studying this semester in a country other than the United States. Your paper must include:

1. a brief description of how the religion came to be practiced in that country (not a full history – just the beginning of the tradition there). (1-2 pages)

2. a brief summary of the distinguishing particulars of the sub-tradition or denomination of the religion in that country – for example, if reporting on Sunni Islam in Saudi Arabia, how are Sunni beliefs/practices different from Shi’ite? (1-2 pages)

3. specific examples which demonstrate how religious beliefs or practices concretely impact the education, politics, and daily life of people living in that country. You may also include the impact of religion on the country’s art & architecture. (3-5 pages)

Instructions

A) Choose your RLP topic. Complete some preliminary research before you decide on a country and a religion, to ensure you are able to find the information the paper requires. Some guidance for that research will be provided in class.

As you consider your RLP choice …

Ø Choose a country other than the United States. Additionally, “Judaism in Israel” and “Hinduism in India” are not acceptable.

Ø Every religion we have studied has multiple branches (or movements or denominations). For this paper, you will select ONE branch in that country. For example, if you want to research “Islam in Iraq” or “Islam in Lebanon,” you must specify Sunni or Shi’a Islam. If you want to research “Christianity in Mexico,” you must specify Catholic or Evangelical (Protestant) Christianity.

B) Complete your research. Make sure your sources represent the CURRENT reality of the religion in the country. Your final Works Cited list must include at least five sources (PLUS your textbook

Many Peoples, Many Faiths: Women and Men in the World Religions 10th edition

), three of which must be print (i.e. not online). If you are using any online sources, choose reliable ones, not Wikipedia or about.com. If you have personal experience of religion in another country, you may use your own observation or interviews as ONE source, but the majority of your paper should rely on library research.

As you prepare your annotated Works Cited list …

Ø Only ONE of your three items can be a reliable online source (NOT Wikipedia or About.com). Note that a print source (like the New York Times newspaper, Time magazine, or a scholarly journal) which you access online counts as a print source.

Ø Your list must be MLA formatted. Use www.easybib.com or www.bibme.org/mla.

Sample Annotated Works Cited List for “Orthodox Christianity in Russia”

“Russia – The Russian Orthodox Church.” Country Studies. U.S. Library of Congress, 1 Jan. 1998. Web. 12 Jan. 2015.

This website provides information about the unique features of Orthodox Christianity and lots of historical information.

Schultze, Sydney. Culture and Customs of Russia. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2000. Print.

This book provides information about Christianity in the everyday life of Russians.

Macfarquhar, Neil. “Putin Strives to Harness Energy of Russian Pilgrims for Political Profit.” The New York Times 3 Aug. 2014: A4. The New York Times. The New York Times, 02 Aug. 2014. Web. 12 Jan. 2015.

This is one of many articles in the New York Times explaining how religion and politics interact in Russian today.

C) Write the Paper. Drawing on your research, present the information requested in the Paper Overview above. Follow the word count expectations for each section, with the entire paper totaling 5-7 pages . Make sure that you include an appropriate introduction and conclusion for your paper!

As you review your paper …

ü Make sure your paper is typed in a standard 12 pt font, double-spaced with 1 inch margins and numbered pages. Proofread your paper for clarity, organization, and grammar and spelling errors. Type your name, course name (PHR-121) and an interesting paper title on page 1.

ü Summarize the information from your references in your own words; use direct quotations sparingly. For BOTH summaries and direct quotations, provide in-text parenthetical references to let your reader know the source of your information. Use www.easybib.com or www.bibme.org/mla for help formatting in-text citations and the Works Cited list.

ü Save your paper as a .doc (Word) or .rtf (Rich Text Format) file and include your name in the file name (i.e. JDoeRLP.rtf). Upload your paper to Canvas using the RLP link

***RLP loses a percentage each day it is late***

Plagiarism or cheating on this assignment includes:

Someone else writing all or a portion of your paper.

Submitting a paper you wrote for another class.

Quoting or summarizing from a print or online source without appropriate citation.

Your paper will be submitted to the Turnitin.com website, which will reveal if you plagiarize.

The “O” you will then receive for the assignment will pretty much ensure you fail the course.

Student Learning Objectives and Assessment Criteria for this Assignment

This assignment supports three of the course’s Student Learning Objectives (SLOs): You will enhance your ability to (SLO 1) identify and analyze the basic perspectives and characteristic practices of the major religions of the world; (SLO 4) analyze the relationships between religion and other aspects of human culture such as science, philosophy, art, and politics; and (SLO 5) locate, evaluate, and use effectively information from a variety of relevant sources.

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