Christian theology asks the “big questions,” taking you to places of deep reflection, profound understanding, and wisdom. The main purpose of the essay is to seek to find answers to the four big questions at the heart of this course concerning
- your faith or religious convictions (What do I believe? In whom do I place my trust?),
- your identity as a human person (Who am I, and to what extent is faith relevant to my sense of self?),
- your relationships to others and the environment (How are we related to one another and the environments we inhabit? Does faith/religion make a difference?), and
- your search for finding purpose in an interconnected global community (How do I find purpose in the midst of the diversity of economic, religious, political and cultural systems in an interconnected global community?).
Learning Goals
After completing the assignment, you will be able to
- demonstrate mastery of the various issues involved with the big questions as studied in class, especially as they relate to the Christian view of the person, community, and society/world.
- evaluate the relationship between Christian responses to the four big questions and other options available/promoted in society;
- integrate (or differentiate) the thoughts of the authors whose works you read for class with (or from) your view on Christian theology’s engagement with culture(s);
- articulate an informed view of the intersections among Christian faith, practice, and culture;
- identify at least one Christian belief or value and critically evaluate what difference it might make in the lives of individuals, communities, and for life in a global society.
Evaluation
You will be evaluated according to your overall grasp of the questions, the clarity of explanation, the extent and depth of integration, the cogency of the arguments given, and the quality of research demonstrated in your paper. Also, I expect your essay to be free of typographical errors and to demonstrate correct citation practice.
Guidelines
Your essay will show significant evidence of your ability to evaluate your growth in understanding. In the essay, 2000 words in length, you will present a clear organization and flow of ideas from introduction to conclusion. Carefully cite various positions using accepted and official citation techniques. Make sure to include discussion of key issues germane to the conversation in this course. Interact with models, tools, strategies, and sources covered in class. You are welcome to use sources other than course texts. In any case, the extent of your use of sources will be reflected in your bibliography.
Note: The essay is NOT purely autobiographical. Rather, pay close attention to the learning goals, in particular the expectation that you will integrate (i.e., cite and interact with) the thoughts of the authors whose works you read for class.
Suggested Essay Structure
You need not discuss all four question comprehensively and you may choose to emphasize particularly two or three of them, but you will need to demonstrate awareness that the questions are inherently interrelated. (If you respond to all four questions, the paper could be divided into four clearly identified parts of roughly equivalent length each).
Your essay may have the following structure.
- Introduction: Define your approach to finding answers to the four questions at the heart of this course. Indicate the kind of conclusion(s) you are working toward.
- Exposition: Present your thoughts on the issues involved with the questions, especially as they relate to the Christian view of the person, community, and society/world, in an analytical form or structure. Integrate (or differentiate) the thoughts of the authors whose works you read for class with (or from) your view on Christian theology’s engagement with culture(s). Whatever kind of sources you are handling (texts, media, etc.), your goal will be “close reading;” you will be bringing to light significant things that could easily go unnoticed. For example, do not simply recount a story, or cite an author at length. Instead, discuss what you think are the most significant points.
- Interpretation (which may be thoroughly intertwined with the Exposition, but may also be a separate cycle of discussion): Articulate an informed view of the intersections among Christian faith, practice, and culture. When you bring a cultural theory or a faith claim into play, explain its logic; do not just make summary assertions like “The church would call this a sin.” You are not just applying your ideas in a cut-and-dried way, you are testing and refining them, also as they apply to you personally. You should end up understanding them better in light of your experience. Here, you also identify at least one Christian belief or value and critically evaluate what difference it might make in the lives of individuals, communities, and for life in a global society. Explain whether or not it has positive or negative consequences for peoples and societies.
- Conclusion: Offer a reasoned conclusion that is your own. Do not just agree or disagree with an author; and please refrain from just reporting a personal feeling or from pontificating.