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- There
are four assignments for this course that require work outside
of class: the synthesis papers, seminar leadership on topic days,
seminar leadership of synthesis discussions, and the final research
paper. Directions for these follow; identical directions for the
seminar leadership presentations are available from the Presentations
tab to the left, and further directions for the research paper
are available at the research tab to the left.
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- If
you are interested in writing an extra credit report, use the
link to the left for directions and a list of eligible events.
Synthesis
Papers
Each
student is responsible to write four synthesis papers in the course. As
you read the ancient primary texts and encounter the contemporary
movie, novel, religious movement, or historical event, your challenge
will be to find points of contact between the ancient and the modern
representations of apocalypse. Each paper should discuss
3-4 such points of contact. A point of contact need not
be a similarity; it need only be a typical apocalyptic feature that
is present in the text in some fashion. For example, an
ancient work may envision catastrophe on a cosmic scale, while the
contemporary work may envision more local or national crises of meaning. Despite
the difference, this is a point of contact between the works because
it is an apocalyptic feature they share, even if both works address
it differently (a difference which you then analyze).
If the synthesis
presenters opt to hold an online discussion in advance of
their presentation, they will have first "dibs"
on points of contact; the three points they post on day
1 of the unit pre-empt you from writing about those three
topics. 4 pages each; first paper
6 points, remaining 3 papers 8 points each, 30% of grade
total. Guidelines for
the format of these papers is provided at the Style
Sheet.
Seminar
Leadership
This
assignment is an opportunity for a small group of two-three students
to lead the seminar twice during the quarter. One of the
two presentations will require an in-depth analysis of the assigned
readings for the day (especially the primary texts) and the facilitation
of some class discussion; see Seminar
Leadership: Text below. The second occasion will be
the facilitation of a class discussion around syntheses made between
the ancient and modern readings; see Seminar
Leadership: Synthesis below.
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- Seminar Leadership: Text
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- Preparation for the Presentations
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- Group Meeting
- Each group shall meet at least two weeks 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
has made available (see the "Optional" readings
listed for your day; you will find them in the Optional Readings
folder at the course ERes site), 2) dividing responsibilities
for the presentation itself (preparation of the handout, 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.
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- Handout
- The 1-2 page typed handout should:
- outline of the contents or plot of your primary text(s)
- identify the apocalyptic method, theme, and features/elements of the text, and
- present 4-6 provocative questions about the apocalyptic or millennial nature of the text that your group has generated.
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- The questions can be about the issues in the story or discourse
of the text, any other apocalyptic "dialectics"
or features you notice, the interface between contemporary
issues and the ancient texts, or questions of interpretation
(how do we go about constructing meanings for the text?).
Your group should discuss the questions yourselves, trying
to anticipate comments others might make. Always integrate
phrases and quotations from the primary texts, or at least
citations so others can look them up, 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-two pages, no longer. You must submit
an electronic copy of this handout to the professor via e-mail or disk two days in advance of your presentation so that she can post it to the course ERes site (Text Intros & Lecture Notes folder).
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- The Format for the Presentation
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- Your group will decide the format of your presentation.
It is recommended that you spend at least 20 minutes examining
the various readings, and at least 20 minutes facilitating
a discussion about the questions your group raised.
It is also recommended that you allocate responsibility evenly
to all members, both for preparation of the discussion and
responsibility for its facilitation (that is, no one should
have an entirely "behind-the-scenes" nor an entirely
public role). Presentations
will not exceed 60 minutes.
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- Evaluation of Participants
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- Grades will be assigned to the entire group regardless of
the relative efforts contributed by individual members. Thus
it is 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 submitting the handout, and
the clarity with which group members guide discussion of the
questions and respond to the comments made by other students. This
Leadership event is worth 5 points or 5% of your grade.
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- Seminar Leadership: Synthesis
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- Preparation for the Presentations
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- Group Meeting
- Each group shall meet at least two weeks before their synthesis
presentation to divide responsibilities for and to plan their
presentation. There is no extra reading for the synthesis day beyond the assigned texts. On this occasion, your analysis of the material should be more creative. Begin with the synthesis points your group members have generated for their synthesis papers. Take three of the best points and discuss them as a group, either in person or on the ERes discussion board (if you'd like the professor's or other students' feedback). If you opt to use the discussion board, you should post your questions on the first text day of that unit and alert the class, because no student will be able to use your three points for their papers and all may want to participate in the advance online discussion. You do not need to prepare a written handout, but you do need to alert the professor of your topics a class day in advance and then facilitate a 45-minute class discussion on your three points. As you discuss your topics in advance, develop questions and positions, muster supporting citations, and read any outside professional information you like to develop your material. On the day of your synthesis presentation, you do not need to submit a synthesis paper.
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- Using the Discussion Board
- If your group opts to use the discussion board to begin their discussion early, please post your questions there on the first text day of the unit you are covering and alert the class that you have done so. In this way, students can participate in the discussion of your points and avoid those topics while they prepare their own papers.
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- In order to begin a discussion using the discussion board:
- 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
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- The Format for the Presentation
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- Your group will decide the format of your presentation.
It is recommended that you allocate responsibility evenly
to all members, both for preparation of the discussion and
responsibility for its facilitation (that is, no one should
have an entirely "behind-the-scenes" nor an entirely
public role). Presentations should run 45 minutes,
and will not exceed 60 minutes.
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- Evaluation of Participants
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- Grades will be assigned to the entire group regardless of
the relative efforts contributed by individual members. Thus
it is the group members' responsibility to distribute the
work fairly and to encourage each other's progress. The
grade will be based on the quality and depth of the synthesis
points, the promptness of submitting the points to the professor,
and the clarity with which group members guide discussion
of the questions and respond to the comments made by other
students. This Leadership event is worth 5 points
or 5% of your grade.
Research
Paper
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- The research paper is a 10-12 page study that will explore a
contemporary apocalyptic "text." The text
may be literary, cinematic, social, or the interpretation of an
historical event; but if you choose literary or cinematic texts,
analyze two. You are free to choose any topic that
interests you outside of the texts we are examining in class. It
might be helpful to browse the Research
tab to the left, which lists a few sample topics. Another
suggestion for developing a topic is to scan either the general
course Bibliography (link on
the right) or the Class Prep page for a topic we are covering
that interests you; articles and books are listed at both places
that may pique your curiosity. Whatever topic you choose,
it is intended to provide you with your own line of inquiry into
the general topic of apocalypticism, and in this way to function
as a capstone for the course.
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- 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, the Exegesis tools you
will need if your paper involves close reading of texts, and a
link to TurnItIn.com, where you will submit an electronic copy
of your final paper. All students will be expected
to read the material on research, writing, and style, to use them
in their research and writing, and to submit an electronic copy
of the final paper to TurnItIn.com.
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- 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.
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- In addition to the topic statement, you will be required to
submit an outline in the 6th week. The outline should
be 1-2 pages and should indicate clearly how you will develop
the various sections of your paper. Be sure to include a section
for your introduction and 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.
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- On the Monday of exam week, you will be required to submit
two copies of the final paper: a paper copy to my office (Bannan
351) or mailbox (Bannan 344), and an electronic copy to TurnItIn.com.
The paper copy must be submitted in a folder with all of the final
stages included (only originals with professor's comments please).
This assignment counts for 30% of your grade, or 30 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 Writing with Integrity
at the Research link)
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
Leadership.
- presentation in a manner consistent with the Style Sheet
(correct citation format for footnotes and bibliography, proper
margins and typeface, accurate grammar and spelling)
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- 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.
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- There are three optional things you can do to enhance your research.
The first is to attend the "Jump-Start" session
in the Library on Monday, September 30 (see the syllabus for exact location). This 45-minute session will help you:
- differentiate between popular and professional sources,
- learn the paper and electronic tools to help you locate sources for your topic,
- pick up some short-cuts for finding good sources, and
- learn how the books, periodicals, reference and reserve materials are organized so you can find what you need quickly.
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- If you can't make the session, you can still pick up most of
the information at the Research Tips
tab available from the Research link to the left.
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- The other optional things you can do are to show the professor
your notes on one of your sources to get feedback on your research
style (due by Friday, October 18), and/or give her a copy of your
rough draft during the 8th week (by Wednesday, November 13) and
schedule a conversation about your paper sometime thereafter (click
here for the Schedule
of Conversations).
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