1. WHY?  Writing down our reactions to an event helps us to be more attentive to what we think and feel about it.  The field trips involve a number of experiences which may evoke different feelings for different participants.  Mulling over your feelings and thoughts will help you to sort out the religious, social and cultural "rules" which you take for granted. This heightened awareness makes it possible to compare and contrast your assumptions with those of other religious traditions, and to evaluate critically the benefits and drawbacks of each set.
2. FOR WHOM?  The process is to help you; the product is for your classmates and instructor.
3. HOW?  Prepare to write by brainstorming on the following topics:
1. What did you expect to see & hear during the tour?
2. What did you actually see and notice?
3. What were your surprises and insights?
4. What unique features of Jerusalem did you discover (or re-discover) through this field trip?
5. What connections do you see between your field trip insights and the course material so far (esp. the readings)?
6. What further questions did this experience raise for you?
4. WHAT?  Choose one or two of the most interesting sites or artifacts to illustrate the unique features or connections you noted in #3.4-5.  Decide why you think this is the most significant insight from this field experience. Then begin to organize the data from #3 to support your contention.  Your actual paper will follow the basic three-part formula:  Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
1. the Introduction includes two things: the most significant insight from this field experience,  and the basic outline of how you show this to the reader.
2. the Body: show your audience why your insight is significant; include details from the experience and readings wherever possible, and show why it is essential for understanding the content of this class.
3. the Conclusion contains two things: your summary of your case, and further questions you would like to investigate.  If you choose, you also can include a prediction of further effects of the experience on your thinking and/or behavior.
5. FORMAT?  When referring to text books, parenthetical notes with the short title and page numbers are fine.  For outside sources, footnotes are preferable.  NB: For web sources, be sure to cite your access date and time.  If you already have cited the main address in the prior note, you need only include the sub-address for subsequent notes (e.g., .../vjt/bread).
6. LENGTH?  Two or three paragraphs should suffice.  Please use at least a 12 point font, and maintain one-inch margins all around.
7. EVALUATION?  An "A" paper will present a clear and concise statement of your analysis of the experience. It will be written in formal English that is a pleasure to read.  It will be free of any typographical, grammatical, and orthographical errors.  It will draw interesting connections between the field activity and the readings to date.  The paper will follow a linear development, from the introduction through the body to the conclusion.  It will culminate in a discussion of the religious and social implications you see based on the experience and the course readings so far.

to see the Grading Protocol for these assignments

This page has been accessed  times since it was re-issued on 04/07/2008  This site designed and maintained by Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D. Professor of Religious Studies John Carroll University