All Papers:

1. Paper must be 5-7 pages in length (double spaced, 1 inch margins, 10 or 12 point type). No triple or quadruple spacing between paragraphs. No starting your paper half way down the first page. No double spacing your name and course info at the top of the page. Papers of less than 5 complete pages will not be accepted. That's ALL the way down to the bottom of the 5th page. Remember this is the minimum. If you're hoping to achieve a good grade you'll probably want to have your paper in the 6-7 page range. (If you cannot do five pages there is something wrong either with your topic or your research. Come and talk to me and I can help you get on the right track.)
2. A brief paragraph describing your topic is due on Oct. 14. This does not have to be detailed and the paragraph will not be graded. However students failing to discuss their topic with the instructor and turn in the topic/paragraph will have their paper grade automatically reduced by one full letter grade. You must submit the topic by email to:
banner@crab.rutgers.edu
3. You are required to turn in your paper BOTH by email AND in printed form. The printed copy will serve to demonstrate that you met the minimum length requirements. It will also make certain that you turned the paper in on time and it didn't get "lost" in cyberspace! :-) In most cases the instructor will actually grade the email version--making comments in a copy of the paper and emailing it back to you. To do the email part write your paper in plain text format (give credit to your sources using parentheses or endnotes rather than footnotes). Then cut and paste the entire paper into an email message. NOTE: Do NOT "attach" your paper as a separate file. Attachments will not be accepted, I will not open them and your paper will NOT be considered "turned in" if you send it as an attachment. You can email the paper to:

banner@crab.rutgers.edu (The subject heading must say: RLW PAPER: Your Name)

Option One: Analysis of an Internet Discussion Group for a Paricular Religion

1. Find two online groups which dicuss two of the religions covered in the course. These can be newsgroups, email lists or bulletin board style discussions. Choose a group that is fairly active so you have material to analyze. Monitor the group for several weeks checking in occasionally to see what's being discussed over time.
2. Although the instructor will have no way to verify this, you are strongly encouraged to choose discussion groups which are different from your own religion. This will probably provide a much stronger learning experience and you'll get the chance to do "phenomenology" learning first hand by observing what people within the religion have to say.
3. If it's appropriate and the participants don't mind, you may want to ask questions or otherwise participate in the discussion rather than just observing. If you do so, be courteous and sensitive to their religious beliefs. Don't ask basic questions that you should already know from class. Let them see in your participation that you've taken the time to understand the basics of their religion even though you are an "outsider".
4. In your paper, analyze, what you observe in the discussion group. What issues are most important to the people in this religion? How do the discussions illustrate what you've learned about the religion in class and in your textbook? What do you learn about the religion from the discussion group that you didn't know from class or the textbook? How does the online experience help you to better understand the worldview of people within this religion? The key here is analysis. DON'T just summarize what they talked about. Compare and contrast the discussions in the two groups.

Option Two: Traditional Research Paper

Although I'm trying steer you away from a traditional research paper and give you an alternative I know that some of you will still prefer to do things the hard way. So here are the requirements if you go with Option Two:

1. In your research you should consult a minimum of 5 sources (not including course textbooks). All sources must be listed on a separate bibliography page and attached to the back of your paper. Although required, the bibliography page does NOT count as one of your five minimum pages. You can use whatever style you would like for your bibliography but you need to include author, title, date and publishing company). Also, your paper must include footnotes, endnotes or parentheses (your choice) which give the author, title, page number, publishing company, etc. for any information you are using from a source. The emailed version of the paper will need to use endnotes or parentheses so you can cut and paste the paper into your email message as described above. You are strongly encouraged to use internet sources for your paper however you should use QUALITY resources and part of my consideration in your grade will be how well you chose those resources. For internet materials you will need to give author (if known), page title and location so that I can go directly to the page if necessary.
2. The paper can basically be on any topic which allows you to analyze and compare some specific aspect of at least two but no more than three religious traditions. For example, you cannot do your paper on just Christianity or just Buddhism, etc. Also note that you have to compare the religions on a SPECIFIC TOPIC. You are NOT allowed to just compare the two religions in general. Papers which do not have a specific topic and, instead, just compare two religions in general will automatically receive the grade of "F". Although not required, you are encouraged to actually interview someone who is active within the religions as part of your research. Grades will be primarily based upon quality of content, analysis, use of resources and how well you show that you understand the religions you are studying. If you should choose to argue for a particular position or disagree with an author or religious tradition you will be expected to show a genuine understanding of the other viewpoint and a thorough consideration of the issues. If you do not feel you can appreciate the different sides of a discussion you should choose another topic.

SAMPLE TOPICS

Last Modified:
Kenneth J. Banner
banner@crab.rutgers.edu

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