religion reflective paper
Guidelines for Reflective Paper
RELI 100: The Human Religious Experience

Content

• Students are expected to address ONE of the three prompts listed in the last section of this guidelines sheet.
• Students should utilize BOTH course textbooks and their own thoughts, ideas, and opinions as they attempt to answer the prompt. No further research is required, but students may choose to include additional sources if desired.
• This paper will be reflective in nature—use of the world “I” and the sharing of personal anecdotes IS acceptable for a reflection.
• This paper should consist of an introduction, body, and conclusion. This means that reflective thoughts should have a logical flow. The introduction should offer a main idea(s) that become(s) the paper’s connecting thread. The body should be a development of the idea(s) introduced. The conclusion should offer a concise, final thought on the idea(s) addressed throughout the paper.
• This paper should NOT become a research project. The purpose of reflective writing is to explore possibilities; therefore, the objective should not be to reach one definitive answer.

Format and Style

• Students need not include a bibliography unless additional sources are used which are not common texts. To cite materials from common class texts, students should insert short parenthetical citations, i.e. (Oxtoby 128).
• This paper must be 4-5 typed pages, double-spaced, standard margins, size 12 font. Accepted fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and Cambria.
• This paper need not include a cover page or a specific type of header. Students should be sure to include name, date, class, and section somewhere at the top of the paper.
• Papers should be submitted as electronic copies before class on the due date listed in the syllabus. Instructor will create a drop box on Blackboard for submitting papers. Hard copies will not be accepted under typical circumstances. Students who are unable to submit an electronic copy should contact the instructor.

Grading

• Papers will be graded in terms of the following areas: creativity, organization and flow of content, use of course materials, depth in addressing the chosen prompt, and adherence to format and style guidelines.
• Papers receiving a grade in the “A” range will demonstrate superiority in at least four of the five areas.
• Papers receiving a grade in the “B” range will demonstrate high achievement, but less than superior achievement, in at least four of the five areas.
• Papers receiving a grade in the “C” range will demonstrate average achievement in at least four of the five areas.
• Papers receiving the grade “D” or “F” will demonstrate below average achievement or unacceptable work in at least three of the five areas.
• Papers proven to be plagiarized or academically dishonest in any way will receive an automatic “F” and referral to the department chair and academic dean for disciplinary action.

Prompts

• What does the term “sacred” mean to you? How do you differentiate between what is sacred and what is ordinary? Do the terms “sacred” and “holy” hold the same meaning for you? Provide examples from your own life and experience.

• Prothero argues that the differences amongst the world religions are often forgotten because of modern society’s movement toward inclusivity and pluralism, and that too much emphasis on inter-religious similarities is problematic. Do you agree with his assessment of “pretend pluralism”? Why or why not? Provide examples from your own experience.

• Choose one or two of Smart’s “dimensions” that are most significant to you, and discuss how these dimensions can influence one’s understanding of his/her own religion. You may use examples from your own life and experience or the experiences of others.