We are wrapping up the first half of the course this week (next week will be your midterm exam), and we have examined a number of religious and philosophical traditions from the Ancient World.As we have talked about these, I\u2019ve taken great pains to address how these traditions evolved and developed, and how the main texts associated with the traditions evolved from oral stories to written texts.So, this week I\u2019d like you to think back to the question that you were asked in Week 1 of the semester and write a short (500\u2013800 word) argumentative essay on the evolution of our last main ancient religion.<\/p>\n
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Examine the assigned sections of the New Testament. What elements of Matthew, Galatians, and 1st Timothy tie into the scholarly argument that these texts were produced over an extended period by several different authors in a variety of contexts? Is this scholarly understanding of the text\u2019s production important when reading and analyzing these chunks of the New Testament, or is it irrelevant? Have your ideas on these issues changed from the beginning of the semester, or have they stayed the same?<\/p>\n
Your critical response should include a distinct introduction paragraph with a thesis statement, a body paragraph in which you marshal evidence to prove your thesis, and a conclusion. Please be sure to provide citations to the readings and a Works Cited at the end. Also, note that, the same as week 3, a portion of your grade for this week will be determined by how well you respond to the comments and suggestions provided by your instructor on your previous short essay (i.e. the Week 3 Critical Response).<\/p>\n
A Note on Biblical Citations<\/p>\n
While your citations should usually consist of a page number, please note that citations to books of the Bible should include the Book, the chapter, and the verse that you are quoting or paraphrasing (Genesis 4:2-3 for example). Please make sure to read the footnotes, and feel free to paraphrase or quote that material. If you are citing the footnotes, please make sure to cite the page on which the footnote appears.<\/p>\n
Grading Criteria<\/p>\n
Each paragraph will be graded based on the following rubric:<\/p>\n
Criteria<\/strong><\/td>\n| Ratings and Description<\/strong><\/td>\n | Points<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Content<\/td>\n | 15\u201314 points<\/strong> | \nEssay shows superb knowledge of the sources\u2019 contexts, ideas, and arguments, and it effectively analyzes primary source quotations to prove an argument, and it clearly responds to instructor provided comments.<\/td>\n 13-11 points<\/strong> | \nPaper shows some knowledge of sources\u2019 contexts and ideas, and it analyzes primary source quotes to support an argument, and clearly responds to instructor provided comments.<\/td>\n 10-8 points<\/strong> | \nPaper shows knowledge of the sources\u2019 contexts, but it primarily summarizes the sources, repeats quotations provided in the lecture material, or does not fully respond to instructor provided comments.<\/td>\n 7\u20135 points<\/strong> | \nPaper summarizes sources, does not provide context or analysis for quotes, or it barely fulfills the requirements<\/td>\n 4\u20130 points<\/strong> | \nThe paper does not demonstrate an understanding of sources and their contexts, or it significantly fails to fulfill the requirements<\/td>\n 15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Thesis and Argument<\/td>\n | 10-9 points<\/strong> | \nThe paper has a clear thesis statement, and it has a compelling argument that is clearly articulated<\/td>\n 8 points<\/strong> | \nThesis statement is clear, but the argument needs to be clarified in places<\/td>\n 7 points<\/strong> | \nBasic thesis and argument<\/td>\n 6 points<\/strong> | \nThesis is simply a factual statement or restates the prompt.<\/td>\n 5\u20130 points<\/strong> | \nThesis and argument are unclear, or they do not exist<\/td>\n 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Grammar, Voice, and Punctuation<\/td>\n | 5 points<\/strong> | \nEntirely free from error<\/td>\n 4 points<\/strong> | \nMinimal (1\u20132) errors<\/td>\n 3 points<\/strong> | \nA few (3\u20135) errors<\/td>\n 2 points<\/strong> | \nSerious problems throughout<\/td>\n 1\u20130 points<\/strong> | \nSo many errors that the essay is difficult to read<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Total Possible<\/em><\/td>\n | 30<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | <\/p>\n
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