research Proposal

REL 2011 Studies in World Religions Adam D. Gorelick, Instructor

Research Project The purpose of this project to equip students with the following skills: methods of basic research, creative and critical thinking, formal analytical writing, and thoughtful analysis of religion. With this project, students will have an opportunity to explore in more detail some particular aspect of a world religion of their choosing. Perhaps the biggest challenge of this course is the brief amount of time we are able to dedicate to each of these very broad cultural categories. Specializing in one of them or in some particular thematic approach to religious phenomena, students will direct their inquiry toward a topic that interests them. This project will involve two phases. In PHASE 1 students will prepare a formal proposal. In PHASE 2 they will compose a thoughtful research paper.

PHASE 1: Formal Research Proposal Procedure: STEP 1: Brainstorm ideas for a research topic concerning either a specific aspect of a religion or some specific thematic approach to religion. Develop a working one-sentence research question which articulates as precisely as possible what you hope to learn from this research. E-mail your general topic to the instructor for feedback no later than 7/9/2020. STEP 2: Begin researching your topic using the library’s databases. STEP 3: Modify your specific topic as needed. STEP 4: Identify more specific supporting research questions that you will need to answer in order to successfully answer your main research question. STEP 5: Draft proposal per instructions below. Description: Students will conduct a research paper on a topic of their choosing, subject to approval from the instructor. The instructor encourages students to be creative in selecting a specific topic that will appeal to them individually. A formal proposal is required and must include the following components:

1. An overarching one-sentence research question concerning either a specific aspect of a religion or some specific thematic approach to religion.

2. Three supporting research questions. 3. A preliminary annotated bibliography with at least 3 academic sources. An annotated

bibliography requires a brief paragraph after each source listed. Use MLA guidelines to list each works-cited entry. Each supporting paragraph will (a) summarize the content of the source, (b) critique its value, and (c) consider its usefulness for the project at hand. Instructor will provide examples of annotated bibliographies.

NOTE: For the purpose of this assignment, “academic source” refers to a work of scholarship such as a peer-reviewed journal article or monograph. Students are invited to consult the instructor or a librarian if they need further clarification. In the field of Religious Studies, it is important to identify when sources are providing an insider perspective such as the faith-based theological interpretation of a religious adherent. These are allowed and valuable sources for reporting how religious persons understand their beliefs, practices, etc., but they are not considered “academic sources.” Academic sources aid analysis by providing an outsider perspective, treating religious beliefs, practices, etc., as objects of history and scientific inquiry. For examples of different types of sources, student will consult sheet provided by instructor. Use Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style for all writing assignments in this course. For assistance with MLA style, you may consult the library or the web. Here is a good online reference guide: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct and will not be tolerated. On your paper include your name, Panther ID number, course number, and the name of the professor. It must be double spaced, have 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) and be typed in 12-point font, Times New Roman or Calibri. Include a Work Cited. Formal Proposals must be submitted through Canvas no later than 7/13/2020. 10% of final grade Grading Criteria:

5% Includes at least 3 academic sources

5% Uses MLA style correctly

5% E-mails research to instructor on time and utilizes feedback

10% Demonstrates adequate use of grammar, sentence structure, word choice, punctuation, spelling, organization, and other style guidelines mentioned in the syllabus

15% Articulates an overarching one-sentence research question concerning either a specific aspect of a religion or some specific thematic approach to religion

15% Articulates three specific research questions that will support an answer to your main research question

5% Summarizes the content of the first source

5% Critiques the value of the first source

5% Considers the usefulness of the first source to the project

5% Summarizes the content of the second source

5% Critiques the value of the second source

5% Considers the usefulness of the second source to the project

5% Summarizes the content of the third source

5% Critiques the value of the third source

5% Considers the usefulness of the third source to the project

PHASE 2: Research Paper Procedure: STEP 1: Adapt your topic, research questions, and selection of sources based on instructor’s feedback. STEP 2: Using your main research question and supporting ideas, develop a one-sentence thesis statement. STEP 3: Conduct additional customized research. STEP 4: Sketch an outline for your research paper. Use supporting research questions to plan paragraphs in support of your thesis. STEP 5: Prepare a rough draft and make edits. STEP 6: Edit and submit your final draft. Include your outline, revision memo (instructor will provide details), and works cited. Description: Utilizing sound research methods, feedback from instructor and peers, and a step-by-step process, students will develop a research paper concerning either a specific aspect of a religion or some specific thematic approach to religion (1,250-word minimum). Include a works cited and adhere to MLA citation guidelines. The 1,250-word minimum applies to the essay itself, not the outline, revision memo, works cited, etc. The works cited must include at least 4 academic sources. NOTE: For the purpose of this assignment, “academic source” refers to a work of scholarship such as a peer-reviewed journal article or monograph. Students are invited to consult the instructor or a librarian if they need further clarification. In the field of Religious Studies, it is

important to identify when sources are providing an insider perspective such as the faith-based theological interpretation of a religious adherent. These are allowed and valuable sources for reporting how religious persons understand their beliefs, practices, etc., but they are not considered “academic sources.” Academic sources aid analysis by providing an outsider perspective, treating religious beliefs, practices, etc., as objects of history and scientific inquiry. For examples of different types of sources, student will consult sheet provided by instructor. Use Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style for all writing assignments in this course. For assistance with MLA style, you may consult the library or the web. Here is a good online reference guide: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct and will not be tolerated. On your paper include your name, Panther ID number, course number, and the name of the professor. It must be double spaced, have 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) and be typed in 12-point font, Times New Roman or Calibri. Include a Work Cited. Papers must be submitted through turnitin.com no later than 7/31/2020. 20% of final grade Grading Criteria:

5% Includes at least 4 academic sources

5% Uses MLA style correctly to cite sources

5% Utilizes feedback on proposal

10% Demonstrates adequate use of grammar, sentence structure, word choice, punctuation, spelling, organization, and other style guidelines mentioned in the syllabus

10% Articulates an overarching one-sentence thesis statement concerning either a specific aspect of a religion or some specific thematic approach to religion

15% Demonstrates an organized structure in support of the thesis statement based on supporting research questions

40% Exhibits creative and critical thinking to analyze the selected research topic

5% Includes complete revision memo from peer-review workshop

5% Includes outline