UMGC What Does It Mean to Study Religion Discussion

“What does it mean to study religion?” –– Early in the semester you are asked to write

a short (approximately 500-750 words) essay on the challenges of studying religion in an

academic setting. This essay requires a careful consideration of one element, question, or

issue from the Herling text and is a reflection on the unique enterprise of Religious

Studies as a discipline. You have the freedom to use personal narrative, but only when it

contributes directly to your thesis. Also remember that you must include class texts in

your essay

I will upload the text once you take it

PAPER GUIDELINES
General Instructions
Due Dates:
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Jan. 24: “What does it mean to study Religion?”
Feb. 11: Reflection, “Sita Sings the Blues”
Feb. 28: Reflection, “The Life of the Buddha”
March 31: Reflection, “Confucius”
April 14: Reflection, “To Live”
Descriptions:
“What does it mean to study religion?” –– Early in the semester you are asked to write
a short (approximately 500-750 words) essay on the challenges of studying religion in an
academic setting. This essay requires a careful consideration of one element, question, or
issue from the Herling text and is a reflection on the unique enterprise of Religious
Studies as a discipline. You have the freedom to use personal narrative, but only when it
contributes directly to your thesis. Also remember that you must include class texts in
your essay.
“Reflection Essays” –– These essays (also approximately 500-750 words) should reflect
on how each film relates to the course reading(s) and discussion on that section’s specific
Asian religion. Questions that could be considered are: what religious themes are
present? What aspects appear to be misrepresented? How does film enhance or hinder the
study of religion? These questions should be answered through both personal reflection
and textual evidence. For example, a student might provide a personal anecdote while
also citing a text that explains why that story connects with the topic. Again, remember
that you must include class texts in your essays.
General Writing Instructions (from syllabus):
Your writing will be equally weighted between content and form. You are expected to
use 12-point font with one-inch margins, page numbers, word count, and a bibliography.
All citations and bibliographic information should be formatted according to the Chicago
Manual of Style guidelines, available at:
https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html.
Lateness and missing papers. All papers are due on the date indicated. Late papers are
docked one-third of a letter grade per 24 hours late after the initial due date (i.e., a “B”
paper becomes a “B-“). Writing is a required (and essential) element of the course. If you
do not submit the essays you will receive a zero, which is much worse than an F. Even if
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a paper is not all you want it to be or late, it’s best to turn it in and get some credit, rather
than not doing the paper at all.
Grading:
You will be graded on three equally weighted criteria: (1) grammar/formatting, (2)
interaction with the course materials, and (3) overall argument. Papers earning an
“A” will be exceptional in all areas, communicating a specific and clear thesis supported
by course texts, while simultaneously avoiding formatting or grammatical mistakes.
Errors in these areas will lower the final grade (e.g., incorrect grammar and formatting
will automatically reduce an “A” paper to an “A-,” and further error in the other sections
will result in a “B+” and so forth).
Specific Rubric:
Argument –– 33 possible points
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Clear thesis: 15
Organized argument: 10
Followed the prompt/topic: 8
Course Materials –– 33 possible points
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Texts included within essay: 20
Thoughtful analysis: 13
Grammar/Formatting –– 34 possible points
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Proper grammar: 17
All details accounted for (page numbers, word count, bibliography): 12
Correct citations: 5
Style:
Your paper must include an introductory paragraph that contains a thesis statement. What
is your paper about? Why is this important to you? How are you going to argue your
point? Be aware that since these papers are short, you will need to choose a rather narrow
topic to discuss. Choose a single question and make sure every paragraph and sentence
address your exact topic and thesis.
You can choose to either cite your work with footnotes or internal citations so long as
you remain consistent throughout the paper. As stated above, every paper should include
a bibliography, which is not included in the 500-750 words count total.
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EXAMPLE:
Name
Class
Date
Word count
(page numbers at the bottom)
Title of Your Paper
Begin your paper…the end of your introductory paragraph must include a thesis
statement: I argue that the film enhances (or hinders) the study of religion because ____.
Helpful Reminders
Additional Writing Guidelines (from previous classes):
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End your introductory paragraph with a clear and precise thesis:
o “Therefore, I argue…”
o “I contend that…”
Avoid overgeneralizations:
o “Buddhists believe _____”
o “The only explanation is ______”
Relatedly, use qualifiers:
o “I think…”
o “…often…”
o “It seems that ____ is common based on ____”
Avoid contractions (don’t, can’t, etc.)
Do not end sentences with a preposition
***Proper citation***:
o “Herling said _____.”1 (then your footnote to the right of the quotation)
o “Herling said _____” (Herling 2016, page number).
Make sure to be inclusive with pronouns:
o Not: “one believes that he…”
o Not: “mankind…”
Proofread!
Please double-space
Good luck!
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Bradley L. Herling, A Beginner’s Guide to the Study of Religion (New York: Continuum, 2016), 5.
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