I have a group discussion due tonight 12:00

20 points each: DUE SUN of WEEKS 3 + 6 

No minimum word count, but for the possibility of full credit, all posts must be SUBSTANTIVE and must CREATE and ADD VALUE to a real discussion. Specific definitions of these criteria occur below.

Original Post: 15 points

Response: 5 points

INSTRUCTIONS:

Click on the  Discussions link on our main menu or in the DISCUSS folders in the relevant weekly sections (weeks 3 and 6). 

Follow the general instructions as laid out here:

· STEP 1: Read the assigned materials, including those assigned in the week the discussions are due.

· STEP 2: Choose a quote consisting of at least one complete sentence that you find compelling  in the chapters we have covered in Morone. You may also add one from Pasquier, but  Morone is required.

· STEP 3: Click the "Create New Thread" button in the relevant discussion forum, and type the quote inside quotations marks in the text field that opens up. At the end, include a citation that looks like this:  (Morone, p. 123).  

· STEP 4: Explain

. why you chose this quote.

. what category you see working in the situation.

. what is at stake for people in this situation.

. how it might relate to  current events in the United States. 

. why your colleagues should care about or what they might learn from this quote. 

· STEP 5: Return and respond on at least ONE other student's original thread.

. This response may be to the original post or to another student's comment on that original post.

I strongly urge students to create their posts in their word processing program and save a copy on their computers in case something goes wrong in Blackboard. It does happen. It has happened to me.

Grading Criteria

· For original and response posts, your contribution must be  substantive. Feel free to thank or compliment students for their posts and/or say that you agree (or disagree) with their analysis. However, thanking, agreeing or disagreeing with, repeating, or reframing does not count toward the minimum word count.

· You must use  proper grammar and spelling for all contributions. (Set your browser to recognize spelling errors, or check your spelling in some other way.)

· You will be graded on the extent to which you  add value to the discussion. How do you add value?

· To get full credit, all posts must contain  thoughtful analysis of material from the text and other appropriate sources.

· Postings are characterized by  clarity of argument,  depth of insight into theoretical content,  relevancy, and sometimes include  unusual insights and flashes of brilliance.

· Analysis is  well supported with  specific  substantive examples  from assigned readings and contains references to at least one  specific category to contextualize it.  

· Spelling and  grammar usage are correct.

· Posts and responses are  posted on time.

· Responses  do not repeat what others have already posted.

· Posts include  good questions that stimulate discussion--AND pose appropriate answers. ( Do not pose rhetorical questions or obvious questions that you should know the answers to if you have read the textbook/s!)

· Even though it is obviously short, you should  approach it as you would a formal writing assignment. It should be  well thought out,  articulate. These submissions must be  college-level writing. This is not a casual conversation or stream of consciousness writing. This is  an academic conversation about our subjects. Write in  complete, coherent sentences, or you will lose points for habitual careless writing.

· While you may occasionally share personal experiences to punctuate your analysis, you recognize  the difference between your experience and academic analysis and only engage in personal sharing when it truly enriches the conversation.

· You  critically  analyze the quote you chose  instead of substituting analysis with  your own personal opinions, because you realize that your opinions tell us something about you but little about the people and issues we are studying. 

· Following the Religious Studies methods, you  refrain from asking or reflecting on  theological questions about the nature of the Divine, making  theological pronouncements based on your personal faith, and sharing your personal  theological opinions about religion and/or religions.