There are two assignments for this course that require work outside of class. The first is the Dialogue Group Presentation, and the second is your Research Paper. Directions for both follow; identical directions for the presentation are also available from the Dialogue Groups tab to the left.

 

If you are interested in writing an extra credit report, use the link to the left for directions and a list of eligible events.

Preparation for the Presentation

 

Group Meeting

Each dialogue group shall meet at least a week before their presentation to divide responsibilities for and to plan their presentation. Responsibilities include 1) reading both the assigned material and a small amount of additional background material which the professor will assign and make available, 2) dividing responsibilities for the presentation itself (preparation of the handout, posting of questions for discussion, delegating roles for oral presentation). After dividing responsibilities, the group should plan to meet once more after all members have completed the reading to discuss the topic and to generate the content of their handout and presentation.

 

Handout

The Handout should be an outline of the topic (not of the readings) and 2-4 provocative questions based on your group's discussion of the primary texts we are reading. The questions can be based on observation of one text or comparison between texts, hypotheses about the social contexts of the writings, or implications for women today (the latter is especially relevant for those presentations covering contemporary issues on 10/24 and 11/5). Your group should discuss the questions yourselves, trying to anticipate comments others might make. Consider, for example, why this is an important issue? If you're generating a thesis, make a case for it; anticipate pro and con arguments. And always integrate phrases and quotations from the primary texts to illustrate any claims you make. The handout should be typed, with your group's name and the date in an upper corner of the paper and the title of your presentation centered underneath. The handout should be one full page-to-three pages, no longer. If you can deliver this handout to the professor at least two hours before your presentation, she will duplicate it for the class.

 

Post your Questions Online

Your group is required to post a simple form of your questions at the Course ERes site one full day before your presentation. In this way, other students will have an opportunity to think about your questions before class and therefore participate in the discussion more easily.

 

In order to post your questions on the Course ERes Site:

• go to the ERes page
• click on Discussion Board in the upper right corner
• select your Dialogue Group Presentation
• select "Post a New Message"
• and then type your 2-4 brief questions in the pop-up window

 

The Format for the Presentation

 

Your group will decide the format of your presentation. It is recommended that you spend at least 10-15 minutes reviewing the content of your presentation (your handout), and at least 15 minutes facilitating a discussion about the questions your group raised. Presentations will not exceed 40 minutes.

 

Evaluation of Participants

 

Grades will be assigned to the entire group regardless of the relative efforts contributed by individual members. Thus is it the group members' responsibility to distribute the work fairly and to encourage each other's progress. The grade will be based on the quality of the written handout and questions, the promptness of posting questions online, and the clarity with which group members guided discussion of the questions and responded to the comments made by other students. The assignment is 10 points, or 10% of your grade.

 

There are a lot of skills that go into good group preparation and oral discussion. Some people will be more or less able to do this. The important thing is not to be good, but to become better.

Exegetical Papers

 

Exegesis is the close observation and analysis of a literary work. You will write two 5-page exegetical papers during the quarter, one during each half of the course. The first paper will explore a particular synoptic gospel passage or issue in the context of that gospel alone. The second paper will examine a passage or issue in teh context of all three of the synoptic gospels, or in the light of extra-canonical gospel literature. Some topics for the second paper are available from the Research link to the left; you may also develop another option in consultation with the professor.

 

In addition to the topics, the Research link also has research tips, advice on writing with integrity, a style sheet for all formatting questions, Scripture Tools, Exegesis tools for more advanced students, and a link to TurnItIn.com, where you will submit an electronic copy of your final paper. All students will be expected to read these materials and use them in their research and writing.

 

The Second Exegetical Paper

Since the second paper is more loosely defined, you will be required to submit your topic statement and intended sources in the 3rd week. The topic statement should have the usual personal information in an upper corner (see the Style Sheet ), and 2 other parts:

• a 1-3 sentence statement of the topic you intend to examine and, if you have one, your working hypothesis or questions, and
• a list of the sources you intend to use. These sources should be typed up as bibliographic entries; see Style Sheet for directions on the proper format.

 

In addition to the topic statement, you will be required to submit an outline in the 6th week, to meet with the professor in the 7th week to discuss your topic and your progress on it (click here for the Schedule of Conversations), and to submit two copies of the completed paper in the 9th week: a paper copy in a folder with all of the final stages included (only originals with professor's comments please), and an electronic copy to TurnItIn.com. Each of these stages is required; the early stages are intended to provide feedback before the graded paper is submitted.

 

The outline, which is due at the beginning of the 6th week, should be 1-2 pages. Be sure to include a section for your introduction and conclusion. The body of your paper should introduce at least three main points that you will develop in your paper. The nature of these points depends upon the topic you are researching. Some examples of how you can develop the body of your paper are:

• if your paper is an historical study, the main points can be the main events arranged chronologically
• if your paper is a descriptive study, the main points can be what you consider to be the chief features of the phenomenon you are examining
• if your paper is thesis-driven, the main points should be the points of your argument that will lead the reader to your conclusion

 

Whatever type of main points you introduce, you should include in your outline subpoints that indicate how you will develop the main point. What proofs (citations from sources, logical arguments) will you adduce to demonstrate your ideas, and what order will you follow to develop the section? The outline is a map laying out the logic of your paper.

 

This assignment counts for 20% of your grade, or 20 points. Your grade will be based on several factors:

• scope and comprehension of your sources and topic
• control of your paper (too many of other peoples' quotes strung together does not constitute research; you need to think about your topic and present it in an argument and manner that advances your thinking on the subject)
• appropriate integration of sources with complete citation (see the Style Sheet)

  The use of others' work without citation constitutes plagiarism and will result in an F on the assignment and for the course and further action by the Office of Student Life.

• prompt submission of all completed stages
• presentation in a manner consistent with the Writing Guidelines (correct citation format for footnotes and bibliography, proper margins and typeface, accurate grammar and spelling)

 

Further instructions about the presentation of written work for long projects like this and for short projects are posted at the Style Sheet, available from the Research link to the left.