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[Last Name] 1

Sample Prospectus

MMW 122

A Few Words of Caution about this Model:

This sample is not a position paper on a contemporary global issue; rather, it deals with an

historical subject. It can serve as a model, however, for discussing the scholarly approaches you

have uncovered about your topic. Therefore, you may still treat this sample as a sufficiently reliable

model for the structure of your prospectus, but you should also be aware that it is not the only

possible model. Given the logic of your particular problem, you might be able to vary the structure

somewhat, e.g., by changing the order in which arguments and counterarguments are presented.

Nevertheless, while some flexibility may well be appropriate, you need to be absolutely certain to

address carefully each of the required elements of the assignment set forth on the prompt. If you

have questions about how to prepare the prospectus, consult your TA as soon as possible.

The marginalia notes in the model are for your reference only; they are designed to help you

identify important elements of the assignment – they are the “parts” that the assignment absolutely

requires. Do not include them in the version of the prospectus that you submit to your TA.

This document is intended primarily as a model for the substance and organization of the

prospectus. Be wary of copying the format of this document too slavishly; rather, you should follow

the Guidelines for MMW Papers and the MLA rules set forth in your writing manual (e.g., the format

for page numbering, etc.)

For a TA’s feedback on the actual argument made in this paper, please see the text following the

Works Cited page.

[Last Name] 2

Name

TA’s name/Section number

Assignment #2: Prospectus

25 October 2011

Isaac Newton: The Forgotten Shepherd

At the summit of the Scientific Revolution stood the father of science: Isaac

Newton. Newton bequeathed his major work to England between 1669 and 1718,

advancing profound theories of astronomy, optics, mathematics, and physics (More xi,

xii). Three centuries later, his work remains renowned for its exploration of natural

phenomena. Excluded from this common historical portrayal, however, is Newton’s

association with religion, specifically the way in which his work reacted to and had an

impact on Christianity. Some argue that his work was heretical and promoted atheism,

while others contend that it was inspired by and integrated Christianity. Confronted with

this ambiguity, the question arises: What was the relation between Newton’s work and

Christianity?

One plausible answer is that Newton’s work had insidious implications for

Christianity, reflecting a negative relation. Richard Westfall elaborates that two entries in

Newton’s notebooks—titled “De Trinitate” and “Idolatria”—express his doubt in the

Trinitarian Order, and seem to suggest that exalting Christ (son) to the status of God

(father), and assuming that he is an incarnation of the Lord, was idolatrous (qtd. in

Commented [h1]: Include your name, TA’s name, section number, assignment number or title, date. Note the page number must conform to MLA style (see Easy Writer, p. 206)

Commented [h2]: Engaging title

Commented [h3]: Introduction to the topic. Include what the reader needs to know in order to understand your topic and the problem you are about to describe.

Commented [h4]: Problem your research addresses and that leads you to ask . . .

Commented [h5]: Research Question

Commented [h6]: One plausible answer (a claim), based in scholarship, to your Research Question. In this case, the student is addressing counter-arguments or alternative hypotheses before articulating his/her thesis.

Commented [h7]: Evidence to support the claim made above

Commented [h8]: How the evidence relates to/supports the claim

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Westfall 312-314). Westfall continues that Newton’s “heretical convictions in a society of

pliant orthodoxy” likely contributed to his reclusive personality (318). It makes sense,

then, that these heretical views were only publicized in 1733, years after his death (Keynes

26). In this respect, a degree of enmity characterizes the relation between Newton’s work

and Christianity. Resembling a double edged sword—a relationship caustic for both

sides—Newton’s conviction undermined a fundamental Christian belief and the

prevalence of Christianity induced the seclusion of himself and his work.

Another plausible answer is that Newton’s work diverged from theological

presuppositions. In this vein, John Henry argues that Newton’s work—which he lumps

with that of other Scientific Revolutionary thinkers—promoted a reductionist perception

of God that was essentially indistinguishable from atheism (351). More simply, Henry

asserts that Newton’s work induced atheistic sentiments which undermined Christian

principles.

There are, however, several weaknesses to these answers. First, Westfall explores a

manuscript in which Newton writes that though Christ was not of congenital divinity,

due to his sacrifice, he justifiably deserved the exaltation attributed to him in the Trinity.

Westfall admits that Newton became a very firm believer in the Trinity and the Christian

doctrine in general (317). Newton further implies a renewed belief in the Trinity when he

writes that the Christians ought to learn from the Jews, who were being punished for their

failure to recognize the Messiah (cited in Westfall 320). Holistically, there is more

evidence, as provided by Westfall himself, supporting the notion that though Newton’s

work expressed his doubts, it eventually reflected a vested belief in the Trinity. Second,

Commented [h9]: Citation for the evidence and scholarships regarding the claim

Commented [h10]: Another reference to the scholarship supporting this answer, including a direct quotation of verbatim text followed by a citation.

Commented [h11]: Reference to publication date followed by a citation.

Commented [h12]: Restate this plausible answer to the research question

Commented [h13]: A second plausible answer to the research question (an alternative hypothesis or counter-argument).

Commented [h14]: Scholarship upon which this answer is based: John Henry’s work. Note that it is cited.

Commented [h15]: Note that the student did not include evidence from Henry’s scholarship to demonstrate Henry’s claim. This may warrant a grade reduction since the assignment asks for a reference to evidence, even from counter-arguments.

Commented [h16]: This paragraph is dedicated to rebuttals to the answers about Newton’s disbelief or doubt (alternative hypotheses or counter-arguments) presented above.

Commented [h17]: Rebuttal based on Westfall’s scholarship, including evidence that challenges above claims.

Commented [h18]: Rebuttal based on a second piece of evidence from Westfall’s scholarship

Commented [h19]: Student restates how above evidence rebuts the claims made above.

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Henry’s attack on the thinkers of the Scientific Revolution glosses over Newton’s belief

that the order inherent in nature is a testament to the existence of a Creator (Strong 148).

It is reasonable to conclude that Newton had certain doubts regarding the Christian

doctrine, but an absolute rejection of God was never expressed in his work. Ultimately,

both answers are plausible but myopic in their understanding of Newton’s work.

The more plausible answer—my thesis—is that Newton’s work consistently

integrated and was largely motivated by Christian beliefs. Newton explicitly expresses

this notion in his letter to Reverend Dr. Richard Bentley, in which he states: “I had an Eye

upon such Principles as might work with considering Men, for the Belief of a Deity, and

nothing can rejoice me more than to find is useful for that Purpose” (qtd. in Cohen 280).

What is imperative to recognize here is not simply Newton’s words, but that the

expression exists in the context of privacy. Newton has no incentive or reason to disguise

his convictions, so it is extremely likely that what he expresses in the letter—religion as

an inspiration and passion—is his authentic view.

Moreover, several historians, particularly B.J.T. Dobbs, assert that Newton’s

successful scientific achievements were byproducts of religious goals (cited in Ben-Chaim

396). Ben-Chaim further expounds upon this point, arguing that Newton’s work reflects

the notion that the aim of science was to discover divine rules (397). Clearly, Newton’s

faith comprised a productive motive for conducting research. The relation of his work

with Christianity was thus a symbiotic one: Christianity evoked curiosity and inspiration

within Newton’s work, which in turn sought to solidify Christianity’s validity.

Commented [h20]: A rebuttal based in the scholarship of Strong. A piece of evidence to demonstrate this claim would make the rebuttal even stronger.

Commented [h21]: Restatement of rebuttal.

Commented [h22]: Thesis. Note that the student saved his/her thesis until after discussing other plausible answers (counter- arguments). S/he could also have stated the thesis clearly at the beginning of the paper before discussing counter-arguments. You will have to choose which is more effective for your paper.

Commented [h23]: Evidence from Newton (a primary source) supporting the thesis

Commented [h24]: Evidence from Newton (a primary source) supporting the thesis

Commented [h25]: Explanation of the evidence and how it supports the thesis

Commented [h26]: Claim made by a scholar (secondary source) to support the thesis. Student should include a piece of evidence used by Dobbs to demonstrate why he made this claim.

Commented [h27]: Claim made by a scholar (secondary source) to support the thesis. Student should include a piece of evidence used by Ben-Chaim to demonstrate this claim.

Commented [h28]: Explanation of how these claims support the thesis.

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J.E. McGuire notes that Newton’s discourse on natural philosophy indicates a

fusion of scientific and religious vocabularies. It seems that Newton, evidently committed

in his belief in God, understood nature as a series of mathematical symbols written by

God (McGuire 295). This comprised not only an incentive to engage in mathematical

reasoning, but an inextricable bond between his work and religion. McGuire’s analysis

reaffirms the idea that Christianity assumed a significant role in motivating Newton to

compose work which supported scriptural principles.

This topic is significant because it divulges the convictions and work of such a

crucial and profound individual. My thesis is significant because it illuminates the

productive and positive presence of faith in the life of a man widely regarded for his

science. More broadly, it exemplifies that science and religion are not necessarily

diametrically opposed; rather, the two can symbiotically coexist in the pursuit of truth.

Commented [h29]: A third claim, found in the scholarship of McGuire, to support the thesis. Student should include a piece of evidence to demonstrate how McGuire makes this claim.

Commented [h30]: Explanation of how this claim supports to the thesis.

Commented [h31]: Student attempts to discuss significance of topic, but needs to explain why it’s important understand the convictions and work of profound individuals, like Newton.

Commented [h32]: Student attempts to discuss significance of the thesis, but needs to explain why it is important to see the productive and positive presence of faith in Newton.

Commented [h33]: This last statement is a little stronger; it helps us, as readers, to think differently about the categories of science and religion and, perhaps other categories that we think are diametrically opposed. Student might expand on this.

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Works Cited

Ben-Chaim, Michael. “The Discovery of Natural Goods: Newton’s Vocation as an

Experimental Philosopher.” The British Journal for the History of Science 34.4 (Dec.,

2001): 395-416. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.

Cohen, Bernard I. Isaac Newton’s Papers & Letters on Natural Philosophy. 2nd ed.

Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1978. Print.

Henry, John. "Scientific Revolution." Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early

Modern World. Ed. Jonathan Dewald. Vol. 5. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,

2004. 343-352. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.

Keynes, Milo. “The Personality of Isaac Newton.” Notes and Records of the Royal Society of

London 49.1 (Jan., 1995): 1-56. Web. 21 Oct. 2011.

McGuire, J.E. “Fate of the Date: The Theology of Newton’s Principia Revisited.” Rethinking

the Scientific Revolution. Ed. Margaret J. Osler. Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press, 2000. 271-295. Print.

More, Louis Trenchard. Isaac Newton: A Biography. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons,

1934. Print.

Strong, E.W. “Newton and God.” Journal of the History of Ideas 13.2 (Apr., 1952): 147-167.

JSTOR. Web. 19 Oct. 2011.

Westfall, Richard S. Never at Rest: A Biography of Isaac Newton. Cambridge: Cambridge

UP, 1980. Print.

Commented [h34]: Works Cited Page on the last, separate page of the paper. The format of the Workds Cited page must follow MLA format, as demonstrated in this sample.

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TA Feedback to This Prospectus

Here are things that the TA asked the student to address in the final paper:

 The TA who graded this prospectus cautioned the student about the Research Question posed. Can Newton’s doubts and his Christian bent coexist? Is there a single relation between Newton’s work and Christianity? The TA advised the student to deal with this in the final paper.

 What does the student mean by a “negative relation” in the section describing Westfall’s scholarship? Can this be supported by evidence in scholarship, or is this a Level 4 issue (an answer that cannot be supported with evidence in scholarship)?

 The rebuttal seems to claim that because Newton did not outright reject a belief in God, any suggestion that his work relates to doubts is “myopic.” Why can’t personal doubts and his work coexist?

 The thesis relies on the idea that Newton wouldn’t lie to a Reverend in a letter. Is this a strong enough assumption to uphold the thesis? Is there evidence to support this? Why wouldn’t Newton lie to the Reverend?

The TA suggests that more evidence is needed to support thesis, claims, and counter- arguments.