THL paper

THL 217 Spring 2019

Instead of doing the Unit 5 online exam, you may choose to do this paper. Or you may even do both, and receive the highest grade of the two.

 

The following instructions are intended to describe the expectations for this paper.  This course does not actually teach how to write a major paper, although it might help with this process.  It requires this ability for taking the class, or asks that students get help at the writing center.

 

When grading your paper, the instructor will assume that you have followed these instructions, or, where they are not followed, will assume that you calmly chose not to do so.  That is of course your free-will choice, and the instructor will respect your choice by calmly grading your paper accordingly.

This paper will simply receive a grade, without a narrative evalustion, just like the online exams, because it is simply another form of the online exam.

Logistics

· Worth 20 points = 20% of final grade.  Length of 1400-2400 words.  1400 words is the basic level, and 2400 is the maximum.  For the very best grade, compress as much knowledge and thought as possible into 2400 words. (The standard measure for word length is to run the word count on your word processor on the whole document--heading, works cited, everything.  Whatever it says, that's what we use.  Then we're all using the same form of measurement.)

· At the top put your name, course and section number, a title, and the word count.

· Use Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx filename extension).

· To submit it: click on “Assignments” (left side), then on "Unit 5 Optional Paper."

· Due date:  Sat May 4 at midnight.

TOPICS. Choose one of the following, either A, B, or C.

Topic A.  Describe the connections between the subject matter of Unit 5 and the “Kofi Annan Nobel Lecture,” by Kofi Annan, on the occasion of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo, December 10, 2001. Full text, with his biography at the bottom, at:

· https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2001/annan/lecture/

To do this well, much of your paper will explain biblical knowledge from as much of Unit 5 as possible for your topic. You are demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding of the OT, as learned in this course specifically, for this unit of the course.

Topic B.  Special request. Describe the connections between the subject matter of Unit 5 and a special topic of your own choice or interest which is within the major themes of social justice and injustice for this course. Just a reminder that the topic must be social and systemic, not just individual or personal.

· You must clear this topic with the instructor first.

To do this well, much of your paper will explain biblical knowledge from as much of Unit 5 as possible for your topic. You are demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding of the OT, as learned in this course specifically, for this unit of the course.

Topic C.  This option is for students who are a member of one of the following religions: Islam; Hinduism; Judaism; or Buddhism.  Describe the connections between the subject matter of Unit 5 and your own religion if it is one of the following: Islam; Judaism; Hinduism; or Buddhism.

To do this, much of your paper will explain biblical knowledge from as much of Unit 5 as possible for your topic. You are demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding of the Bible, as learned in this course specifically, for this unit of the course.

Required Sources.  Use the following required sources:

· The  textbook Bible or an equally good modern translation.  (Check with me if in doubt.)

· The readings given in the Daily Schedule for Unit 5. This means the textbooks by Birch and Donahue, and also the online readings found on Blueline in the module for this unit.

No need to cite the documents on Blueline. You do not need to cite the documents posted on Blueline. But you need to use them as sources.

Citing the textbooks.  When you use the textbooks (Birch and Donahue), show this clearly.

· Cite them using either MLA, or Turabian, or Chicago (Humanities), whichever one you wish to use or are familiar with already.

· For sure give in-text citations with page numbers, plus a Works Cited at the end.

Citing the Bible. See the section on “Using the Bible” below.

Using and citing other sources.  Feel free to use other sources in addition to those required, as long as they are credible by the standards used in this course.

· Cite them the same way as the textbooks (described just above).

· Give the page numbers for print sources for in-text citation

· Give a clickable hyperlink (URL) if it is not a print source, so that I can look it up quickly and easily

If you are unsure how to do your citations and works cited list, use MLA style as described by the Purdue U. Online Writing Lab.

· Start with this web page, which has the basics for citation: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

· For the works cited list, start here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/

· For anything else, click on the headings along the left side of the Purdue web pages above, or just use the search box at the top left.

Bible knowledge.  Because this is a course in biblical studies, use good method as you have been learning in class. For example, explain biblical content and meaning according to its background and context.  Be sure to explain the place of your answer in the Old Testament storyline or meta-narrative as a whole.

   

Your own views. Feel free to also express your own views in addition to (but not instead of) foundational knowledge for the course. For example, feel free to include your thoughts on the relevance of this assignment to the modern world.

Your target readers.  Write this for someone who has not taken this class, not for me.  Explain things clearly in plain English. 

· Your reader has an open Bible and has read the section of Bible covered by your paper, so you don’t need to give a systematic survey of the biblical story or content.  For example, if you refer to the Exodus story, you can explain the meaning of that story, or something in it, without actually repeating the story itself, because your readers have already read it in the Bible or can look it up.

· A good way is to picture someone you know, and write it for that person. 

 

Grading.  Because this paper functions as an assessment of your biblical knowledge and understanding, grading will be based primarily on that knowledge and understanding rather than, say, original research or creative thinking.  Your paper will receive a careful and fair grade, though without a detailed narrative assessment like for a research paper. However, you may request more detailed assessment if you wish, or if you want need it for future improvement.

The following criteria will apply to grading, in approximate order of importance:

· Biblical knowledge and understanding; amount and quality of knowledge, thinking, understanding, and using good methodology.

· Other required course knowledge; input from relevant readings and classroom teaching.  Your paper should look like you are actually taking this course and making contact with its subject matter, however fleetingly.

· Accurate knowledge and use of any outside sources.

· Bible references and quotes.  Up to 6% can be deducted for shortcomings in Bible references and quotes. Follow the section on "Using the Bible" below.

· Using a modern Bible translation.  Up to 6% can be deducted for using a Bible which is out of date, such as the King James Version.

· Good writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

 

Sample Paper.  See the sample paper in the Major Paper module for an example of how to do format, Bible references, etc., for any paper in this course. 

· Heads-up: that sample paper is not for this specific assignment so the content there is different.

Using the Bible. 

· When you mention something in the Bible, give support or examples from the Bible to support what you write.

· Give the Bible "reference" (book, chapter and verse) every time you MENTION anything in the Bible.  Not just when you quote from it.  Use the same style as in the textbooks and online readings.

· Sometimes it is good to quote a key passage from the Bible (rather than just giving a reference), as an example or basis for an important point in your paper.

· When you quote word-for-word from the Bible, do it clearly, with quotation marks around it, or as a block quote, so the reader knows for sure that it is a quote.

· Up to 6% can be deducted for shortcomings in Bible references and quotes.

· Use a modern Bible translation for Scripture quotes.  Up to 6% can be deducted for using a Bible which is out of date, such as the King James Version.

Clear writing. How do you know if your paper is clear?  Actually, you don't.  In fact, you are the only person in the world who does not know if it is clear.  Solution: do what the pros do.  After you think you are finished:

· Step one: Read your paper out loud, slowly.  Does it sound like clear English?  If not, it will not read like clear English either.  Fix it.

· Step two: Now get someone else to do the same.  This could hurt a little.  It better be a pretty good friend, or else someone who doesn't matter.  Fix it again.

· Beware of the electronic grinch stealing your grade points.  Specifically, beware of your spell checker changing your words into something that you don't intend, or your computer making other changes.  This is a frequent and careless mistake.  Proof-read carefully!  Assume that every word is wrong, unless it is actually right.

· Write and proofread well.  I look forward to reading your clean, flawless, perfect, intelligent writing.

  

Academic honesty

See the section on academic honesty in the syllabus. Short form:

· What if you use an outside source, that is, a source other than those assigned as readings for this unit? You need to cite it. Paraphrasing, or changing the wording, or changing the order, or any or all of those, are all plagiarism unless you specifically cite the source with in-text citation plus listing it in the Works Cited. Then it’s fine.

· Collaboration is good, if this is oral.

· But nothing in writing.

· Share nothing in writing with anyone who is a student at CU.

· Use nothing in writing from someone else who is or ever was a student at CU, unless you specifically cite it in-text and list the source in the Works Cited. Then it’s fine.

Tips on getting the best grade

 

"Oh, I didn't notice that."  Famous last words.  Gang, when students question their grade and I point out how they didn't follow the instructions, the most common response is, "Oh, I didn't…."

 

Solution: start noticing.  We live in a world where we are more successful if we learn to read, understand, and follow written instructions.  Here are the keys to success:

 

· The first key is to follow the instructions for the paper carefully.  Every word.  For example, note what the section on "Logistics" says for "the very best grade."  Note what the instructions say for required sources.  All the sections in the instructions are for real.  In summary, it is important that each paper look like it is for the specific assignment as described, for this specific course.  The assigned topic is not a general, wide open free-for-all in which any old source on the internet, or any thoughts you may encounter, or even any traditional teaching in Christianity, are appropriate.  Do the actual assignment as described.

· The second key is one word: more.  Bear in mind that the paper functions more like an exam on foundational course knowledge than, say, creative thought or writing.  Cover every relevant section in the required sources, if possible.  The key here is to stuff the word limit with as much knowledge and detail as possible.  A good method is to draft the paper too long, then compress it.  This is hard work, and it might hurt a little.  But that's how.

· The third key is accuracy.  Naturally, I cannot give a top grade for work with mistakes, so check everything for accuracy.  Make sure you understand what you are reading before you write about it.  This applies to everything from details like names or dates to whole concepts and main ideas.  It is true that this takes time, but it’s worth it. 

· The fourth key is clean, clear writing.  Proofread your paper carefully for grammar and typos.  Don't hesitate to get help from the writing center for this.  Many of the best student writers do it.

 

Result: win-win.  Excellence earns you high grades.  Giving earned high grades gives me pleasure.INCLUDEPICTURE "Optional%20Paper%20for%20Unit%205%20Instead%20of%20the%20Online%20Exam_files/image001.gif" \* MERGEFORMAT \d \x \y

Alternate result: not win-win. Choosing not to do the above will naturally result in polite comments on your paper like the following:

“Opting not to use all the required sources limits your grade, of course.”

“Generally on track for content, you young whippersnapper, though minimalist at 1100 out of 1900 words. Opting to go minimalist naturally results in a minimalist grade, of course. More next time, okay?”

“As always, just a caution on accuracy in details, e.g., this error: ‘King Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.’ No, there’s no data to support the idea that he was quite that kinky, though he did like his women. That last word should be ‘concubines.’”