Thank You for a Great Class

Grades are done and have been registered in MySJSU. Sometimes they appear quickly, other times, it can take a while. Give it at least a day or two.

Thank you for a great class. I very much enjoyed both sections and I hope the experience was pleasant for you, too. I'll leave you with an old Irish blessing:

May your pockets be heavy
Your heart be light
And may good luck pursue you
Each morning and night 

-D

(Week 17)

Update 1: The finals were graded last Friday. I won't receive them back until Tuesday afternoon, however. I'm also right in the middle of reading essays and papers. If you haven't yet received an email confirmation of your paper, look for one in the next couple days.Good luck with finals!

Update 2: I've looked over your finals and there were a surprising number of misreads of the prompt. Many of you confused a cover song, a song by one artist redone by another with permission (e.g. John Legend's cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep") with a bootleg, which is often an unauthorized redo or sample of a copyrighted song (e.g. many unauthorized YouTube mixes). And although there were a fair amount of 10s, there were also many 5s and 6s. These essays largely ignored structure and evidence, and instead relied heavily on summary. Finally, I hope to be finishing up the grades by tonight. So expect to get your final grades when I email you back to confirm I received your work.

News Roundup 12.07.11

• Gov. Rick Perry's new ad: "As president, I’ll end Obama’s war on religion. And I’ll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage." Des Moines Register
• Because of President Obama's gay rights directive, Pat Robertson says "God will punish the nation" Huffington Post
• Getting naked to protest the Westboro Baptist Church Gawker
• Students sue school's Ten Commandments display Roanoke Times
• Shockingly, Johnny Depp's song about a drunken Jesus has angered many Christians ABCNews
  
• Time Tebow, mixing religion and sports Chicago Sun-Times

 

Week 16: The Anasazi

The Anasazi's creation myth says humans came from inside the Earth

Mo 12.5
Class: Course review

Due via Friday, Dec. 9th at noon: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT), EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY

Assignment: Extra-Credit

You may choose to end the semester on a reflective note

Your extra-credit assignment asks that you reflect upon a semester's worth of reading and writing about spirituality (or lack thereof). What about the subject matter struck you as most interesting? What surprised you? Did you change your mind about anything? Were any preconceived notions of yours changed or challenged? In a reflection-style response, consider the experience of studying various aspects of spirituality. This should not be so much about the class as much as it should be about the subject matter and related issues.

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Worth up to 15 extra-credit pts.

Due: Friday, Dec. 9th by noon via email

News Roundup 11.29.11

Cain was concerned his doctor was named Dr. Abdallah

• Herman Cain's reaction upon learning his doctor was Christian: "Hallelujah!"
  
• Vatican exorcist: Yoga and Harry Potter are of the devil newser
• Shedding light on a new Stonehenge discovery BBC News
  
• The Daily Show takes on Fox News over its fury about God being left out of the presidential Thanksgiving message Comedy Central
• Six HIV patients dead after being told by evangelical churches they'd been cured SkyNews
• Air Force Academy now accommodates pagans, druids, and Wiccans Los Angeles Times

 

Week 15: New Agers

The New Age movement combines both Eastern and Western spiritualism

 
Mo 11.28
Class: Writers workshop; Final exam prep
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 2, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST SIX PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)

We 11.30
In-Class: Final exam prep; Presentations

Sa 12.3
Final Exam: SCI 164 @ 10 AM; DRC Students: DRC @ 8 AM

UPCOMING:

Week 16
Mo 12.5
Class: Course review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT), EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY

Final Exam Prep

There are many techniques which can assist you with the final exam

Below are two sample prompts for your final exam this week. Also included is the rubric from which your essay will be scored.

Sample prompt A
Sample prompt B
Final exam rubric

Finally, you'll also find a sample essay. It's for the 1A exam, but obviously the goals are the same.

Sample 1A prompt
Sample 1A essay 

Week 14: Muslims

Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca five times a day

Mo 11.21
Class: Watch—Devil's Playground (2002)

We 11.23
No Class: Thanksgiving

UPCOMING:

Week 15
Mo 11.28
Class: Writers workshop; Final exam prep
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 2, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST SIX PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)

We 11.30
In-Class: Final exam prep; Presentations

Sa 12.3
Final Exam: SCI 164 @ 10 AM; DRC Students: DRC @ 8 AM

Week 16
Mo 12.5
Class: Course review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT), EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY

News Roundup 11.18.11

The Vatican to Benetton: We will sue

• The Vatican to sue Benetton despite pulling their Pope ad Christian Science Monitor
• Can Twilight be used to teach about the Gospels? Christian Post
• Are Christians being oppressed in America? Los Angeles Times
• President Obama's would-be assassin says he is Jesus Christ CBS News
• Are the sports sex abuse scandal coverups any different than that of churches? Washington Post
• "I'm a Mormon" campaign expanding ahead of '12 election New York Times

 

Week 13: Scientologists

Celebrities, such as Tom Cruise, have become the face of Scientology

Mo 11.14
Class: Watch—Paradise Now (2005)

We 11.16
Class: Writers workshop; Presentations; Assignments—Annotated works cited and Comparative analysis essay
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST THREE PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)

UPCOMING: 

Week 14
Mo 11.21
Class: Guest speaker TBA

We 11.23
No Class: Thanksgiving

Open Due Date Assignments: EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY

NOTE TO DRC STUDENTS: The final exam will be at 8 AM on 12.3 at the DRC

Assignment: Comparative Analysis Essay

In Blue Like Jazz, Miller takes an unconventional approach to outreach

In recent years, various Christian churches have come under criticism for outreach that has been more exclusive than inclusive. Likewise, Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz takes churches to task for being too negligent of certain segments of society (e.g. "liberals and homosexuals"). He argues that many Christian churches have neglected these people to their own detriment. In fact, a more openly-accepting approach has helped Miller's own church be successful in attracting people from various walks of life.

In a concise essay, compare and contrast Miller’s style of outreach with that of Christian denomination of your choice (e.g. Mormons, Evangelicals). Cite specific evidence from Blue Like Jazz, but also from at least two other sources regarding another church—this needn’t be a traditional one, but can be nontraditional, along the lines of Miller’s church. In your analysis, consider what all churches do to expand their bases in traditionally nonreligious communities? As well as what the  consequences might be for a church that is too narrow in its recruitment of new members? Again, use specific examples from Miller’s book to support your thesis.

Requirements:

• MLA format, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum 
• Include a works cited page, including at least two sources regarding another church's approach to outreach

The best papers will:

• Stay within the parameters of the prompt
• Have a concise thesis
• Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence and a logical structure
• Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of your points
• Be in proper MLA Style

Due: At anytime before the end of the last day of class.

News Roundup: 11.11.11

Egypt has closed the Pyramids for 11.11.11

• Sorry!: 11.11.11 spiritualists denied access to the Great Pyramids MSNBC
• The devil made them do it: Catholic newspaper suggests Satan is the cause for same-sex attraction Huffington Post
• TheCall's Detroit prayer-a-thon has area Muslims nervous CBS News
• John Stewart on the House's recent reaffirmation of "In God We Trust": Oh, so you're doing it to be d*cks Comedy Central
• Gallup poll finds fewer Democrats are attending church Beliefnet
• Again: Tibetan nun herself on fire to protest Chinese occupation Time

Week 12: Atheists

Atheists are increasingly vocal in American society

Mo 11.7
Read: JAZZ—p. 95-186
Class: Watch—Jesus Camp (2006)

We 11.9
Read: JAZZ—p.187-240
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 6

UPCOMING:

Week 13
Tu 11.15
Class: Guest speaker TBA

We 11.16
Class: Writers workshop; Presentations; Assignments—Annotated works cited and Comparative analysis essay
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST THREE PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)

Open Due Date Assignments: EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY

NOTE TO DRC STUDENTS: The final exam will be at 8 AM on 12.3 at the DRC
 

Reflection 06: Who Needs Who?—Women and Religion

Despite their faith, women are often blocked from leadership roles

Throughout history, many have argued that religions need women more than women need religions. Even today, there persists the view that religions, particularly those that are patriarchal-based, ask more of their female followers than they give in return. In fact, many religions today make women's sexuality, motherhood, and family roles central to their doctrine, yet block them from the highest leadership roles. Though women have made inroads in some churches, they are still largely shut out of decision-making positions in most religions. It's not surprising then that female-centered faiths have recently seen a resurgence in popularity with women. How do you believe religion serves women? Does it generally treat women as equals to men? Are women's issues typically a priority? Is it true that religions need women more than women need religions?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "At Front of Brooklyn Bus, a Clash of Religious and Women’s Rights" (New York Times)
• "The Roles of Women" (PBS)
• "Are Faith and Feminism Compatible?" (Jezebel)
• "Does Religion Oppress Women?" (New York Times)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two-full pages in length

Due: We 11.9

Week 11: The Amish

The Amish settled mostly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Indiana

Tu 11.1
Read: GO—1:12:21-2:06:30
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“Research Papers: The How-To”

Th 11.3
Read: JAZZ—p. 1-94
Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)


UPCOMING:

Week 12
Mo 11.7
Read: JAZZ—p. 95-186
Class: Watch—Jesus Camp (2006)

We 11.9
Read: JAZZ—p.187-240
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 6

OPEN DUE ASSIGNMENT(S): EXPOSITORY ESSAY

Assignment: Expository Essay

Sweeney's seemingly spiritual journey eventually leads to atheism

In her monologue, Letting Go of God, comedienne Julia Sweeney recounts her journey from devout believer to staunch atheist. After some time exploring her own Christian faith, as well as other belief systems, Sweeney concludes that there is no God:

"Eventually I said goodbye to God, and I imagined him as this old man, this old broken-down man, more like an older version of the God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But if you looked closely, you could even recognize the Jesus from the poster in my high school bedroom...but older, much, much older, with long, gray and white hair, and lots of lines on his face. An old hippie who still smoked. And at one time he seemed so all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-protective. But now, he just seemed a little stinky.

And I could just see him sitting on the suitcases near the front door of my house, and I went to him and I said 'I'm sorry, God. It's not you. It's...it's me. It's just...I don't think you exist. I mean, God, look at it this way: It's really because I take you so seriously that I can't bring myself to believe in you. I mean, if it's any consolation, it's sort of a sign of respect. So...sit here for a while if you want to. You can stay a little while if you need to. There's no big hurry.' And slowly, over the course of several weeks, he just disappeared."

In a concise essay, identify three turning points in Sweeney's journey toward a belief in atheism. For instance, what were some keys events that pushed her further from her her long-held faith? Who were the people that influenced her budding beliefs and what was their impact? What were the defining moments in her path toward godlessness?

Requirements:

• MLA format, including parenthetical citation*
• 3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page 

  *Cite according to player timer (hour:minute:second); Example: (Sweeney 02:12:12)

The best papers will:

• Stay within the parameters of the prompt
• Have a concise thesis
• Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence and a logical structure
• Properly cite evidence using MLA's paranthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of your points
• Be in proper MLA Style

Due: Draft 1—We 11.2 (Bring two copies); Final draft—Due at any point between this week and the final day of class, Mo 12.5

News Roundup 10.26.11

Did Scientology strike back at South Park?

 

• Church of Scientology allegedly investigated South Park creators Huffington Post
• Who you gonna call?: Everything you need for a successful ghost hunt Gizmodo
• Can one be gay AND Catholic? Daily Beast
• Egyptian man jailed for anti-Muslim remarks on Facebook AFP
• Religion still a major factor for teens waiting to have sex International Business Times
• Halloween haunts not your thing? Try this church's "Judgement House" Kansas City Star

Week 10: Coptic Christians

Coptic, or Egyptian, Christians date back almost 2,000 years

M 10.24
Read: GO—35:19-1:12:20
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)

W 10.26
Class: Library research session—Meet in MLK Library in room 125 (Sec. 3) and room 213 (Sec. 10)
Due: REFLECTION 5

UPCOMING:

Week 11
Tu 11.1
Read: GO—1:12:21-2:06:30
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“Research Papers: The How-To”

Th 11.3
Read: JAZZ—p. 1-94
Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)

News Roundup 10.22.11

Susan Sarandon makes a controversial claim about Pope Benedict

• Susan Sarandon: We have a Nazi Pope  Newsweek
• Still here?: The world (again) did not end, this time on October 21st, as doomsday prophet predicted ABCNews
• The joy of Diwali Times of India
• Florida principal: The First Amendment only applies to Christians Florida Times-Union
• GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain: "I like my guns and Bible. Ain't gonna give 'em up!" Huffington Post
• Bishop's blog post, blaming Jews for the death of Christ, increases Catholic/Jewish tensions Guardian