Re-defining Religion Retrospective Essay
Grading Protocol
04 December 2007
| At the outset of this course, you were asked to define
religion, give an example of a religious experience, and clarify what
criteria you were using to determine that this experience qualifies as
"religious." You have been exposed to many facets of human religion
during this course, and many ways of analyzing and evaluating them. In light
of all you gained from this course, return to your first essay and re-work it
to make a coherent synthesis of the new information you have learned. |
| Story |
| 1. Using the terms symbol, myth, ritual, and culture, re-tell
the story of the "religious experience" you described in your first
essay. |
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- Definition of
culture
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- Definition of
myth
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- Definition of
ritual
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- Definition of symbol
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- Overall coherence
& interest of story
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Subtotal |
/15 |
| Comments: |
| Criteria |
| 2. In light of all we have studied, what criteria do you now
think should be used to evaluate whether an experience is ÒreligiousÓ or not?
Why? (NB: If the criteria remain unchanged, this part earns a zero.) |
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- Clear &
coherent list of criteria (with explanations of what the terms mean)
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- Compelling
defense of each criterion v. others possible
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- Adequacy of
proposed set of criteria
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Subtotal |
/15 |
| Comments: |
| Justifying Changes in Criteria |
| 3. How have your criteria for classifying something as a
"religion" or a "religious experience" changed as a
result of this course? Why? (NB: If the criteria remain unchanged, this part
earns a zero.) |
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- Comparison of the
two lists of criteria
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- Adequacy of
rationale for changes
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Subtotal |
/10 |
| Comments: |
| Evaluation of
Experience |
| 4. In what ways does this event meet your new criteria for a
"religious experience," and in what ways does it not? (NB: If the
criteria remain unchanged, this part earns a zero.) |
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| a. Logical exposition, following coherent sequence |
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| b. Point-by-point evaluation of how experience fits criteria |
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Subtotal |
/10 |
| Comments: |
| Definition of
Religion |
| 5. Using the concepts of creed, code, cult, and
community, what is the best definition for "religion" that you can
generate? Justify your definition on the basis of clarity, utility,
specificity, and inclusivity. Nothing that is not "religion" should
be includable under your definition, while everything that really is
"religion" should fit with it. |
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- Definition
includes the required terms creed, code, cult, and community
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- Definition fits
criteria of clarity, utility, specificity, and inclusivity
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- Clarity of
definition is defended (The essay clearly and persuasively demonstrates
that the definition is not vague or obscure.)
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- Utility of
definition is proven (The essay clearly and persuasively illustrates
that the definition includes all the necessary features of the category
and only these.)
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- Specificity of
definition is demonstrated (The essay clearly and persuasively shows
that the definition includes all phenomena usually classified as
ÒreligionÓ while excluding phenomena usually not classified as
such.)
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- Inclusivity of
definition is justified (The essay clearly and persuasively demonstrates
that the definition avoids narrowness, compartmentalization, and
prejudice.)
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Subtotal |
/30 |
| Comments: |
| Formal
Characteristics |
| The essay is composed in succinct, formal prose in
standard American English. It is completely free of grammatical, syntactical,
orthographic, or other scribnerÕs errors. It correctly follows the Chicago
Manual of Style conventions for
quotations, footnotes, and other references. |
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| Clear and
succinct formal prose |
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| Correct grammar,
syntax, spelling, etc. |
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| Lucid
organization, proper paragraphing, etc. |
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| References
correctly follow CMS conventions |
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Subtotal |
/20 |
| Comments: |