ApproachestoStudyingReligions-TOUCHSTONE1_ReflectingonMajorApproachestoStudyingReligions.pdf

Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and demonstrate application of

knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can't submit it until you have completed the unit’s Milestones. Once you'vesubmitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score.

Touchstone 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions

ASSIGNMENT: In this unit, you learned some of the reasons for studying religion. You also learned that religion is universally

recognizable, yet difficult to define. A narrow definition of religion that ties it to a belief in and worship of a higher, supernatural power, can

exclude religions like Buddhism. On the other hand, definitions of religion that eliminate mention of the otherworldly or divine by equating

it simply with “faith” or “belief” yield an understanding that is overly-broad.

Due to the challenges of studying religion, various methodologies have arisen including: phenomenology, theology, historical

approaches, comparison, philosophy, and sociology. This Touchstone gives you an opportunity to reflect on these major approaches to

studying religion.

In a 400-600 word short essay, you will explain the difficulties involved in defining religion. Then you will select one method for studying

religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking, and explain its strengths and weaknesses.

A. Assignment Guidelines

Not Submitted Submitted ScoredWhen you’re ready to upload your document, click here. SUBMIT TOUCHSTONE

 It takes 5-7 business days for a Touchstone to be graded once it's been submitted.

UNIT 1 — TOUCHSTONE 1: Reflecting on Major Approachesto Studying Religions

SCORE

-/25

DIRECTIONS: Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define. Review the lessons in Unit 1 as you consider your

response. Then, select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and explain what you believe to be itsstrengths and weaknesses.

Your short essay should include four parts:

Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define.

Select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and summarize the approach in your own words.

Explain a strength of this approach to studying religion.

Explain a weakness of this approach to studying religion.

The methods for studying religion discussed in Unit 1 include:

Phenomenology

Theology

Historical Approaches

Comparative Religion

Philosophy of Religion

Sociology of Religion

As you develop your reflection, be sure to engage with the course material from Unit 1. You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to

support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the lesson and use the following format:

In-text citation: (Primal Religions, n.d.)

Reference: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.

https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/primal-religions-2

Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

❒ Have you explained two reasons why religion is difficult to define, in your own words?

❒ Have you selected a method for studying religion from Unit 1 and summarized the approach?

❒ Have you explained a strength and a weakness of this approach to studying religion?

❒ Does your short essay demonstrate engagement with the course material from Unit 1?

❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?

❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?

❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?

B. Rubric

Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement(60%)

Non-Performance(0%)

Reflects on the Definitionof ReligionEssay reflects on the difficultyof defining religion.

Essay offers a clear discussionof two reasons why religion isdifficult to define.

Essay offers a clear discussionof at least one reason whyreligion is difficult to define.

Essay offers a discussion of atleast one reason why religion isdifficult to define, but discussionmay be unclear or vague.

Essay does not attempt to reflecton the difficulty of definingreligion.

Summarizes a Method forStudying ReligionEssay selects andsummarizes a method forstudying religion.

Essay selects a method forstudying religion and clearlyand accurately summarizes it.Engagement with coursematerial is evident.

Essay selects a method forstudying religion andsummarizes it. Engagement withcourse material is less evident.

Essay selects a method forstudying religion and attempts tosummarize it, but summary maybe inaccurate or unclear.

Essay does not select orsummarize a method for studyingreligion.

Reflects on a Strength ofthe MethodEssay reflects on a strengthof the selected method forstudying religion.

Essay demonstrates insightfulreflection on a strength of themethod. Engagement withcourse material is evident.

Essay demonstrates a moresuperficial reflection on astrength of the method.Engagement with coursematerial is less evident.

Essay demonstrates a moresuperficial reflection on astrength of the method. Noengagement with coursematerial is evident.

Essay does not attempt to reflecton the strengths of any methodfor studying religion.

Reflects on a Weakness ofthe MethodEssay reflects on a weaknessof the selected method forstudying religion.

Essay demonstrates insightfulreflection on a weakness of themethod. Engagement withcourse material is evident.

Essay demonstrates a moresuperficial reflection on aweakness of the method.Engagement with coursematerial is less evident.

Essay does not attempt to reflecton the weaknesses of anymethod for studying religion.

Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement(60%)

Non-Performance(0%)

ConventionsSubmission followsconventions for standardwritten English.

There are one or no errors ingrammar, punctuation, spelling,and capitalization. Examplesare cited appropriately.

There are minor errors ingrammar, punctuation, spelling,and capitalization that do notimpede readability. Examplesare cited appropriately.

There are frequent errors ingrammar, punctuation, spelling,and capitalization that impedereadability. Examples may not becited appropriately.

There are consistent errors ingrammar, punctuation, spelling,and capitalization thatsignificantly impede readability.Examples are not citedappropriately.

Meets requirementsSubmission meets formattingrequirements, including 12-point font, double-spacing,and word count.

All requirements for formattingand length are met.

Requirements for formatting andlength are mostly met.

Requirements for formatting andlength are somewhat met.

Requirements for formatting andlength are not met at all.

C. Requirements

The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:

Composition must be between 400-600 words.

Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.

Use a readable 12-point font.

All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.

Composition must be original and written for this assignment.

Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.

Include all of the assignment components in a single file.

Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.

In-text citations should use this style: (Primal Religions, n.d.)

References should use this style: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.

https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/primal-religions-2

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