RST 280, Fall 2000
                                        Final, Individual Essay  & Reflective Self-Evaluation

                                                         The Great Work:   Women and Religion

Expectation:   A creative and critical, really good essay that integrates all of the readings, class discussion, web resources,
                      guests and other resources and your own reflections.  You can integrate your own ideas and experience into
                      the essay.

Format:   submitted to the mentor's email address as direct email [attachments will be returned automatically],
                free of grammatical errors (excessive grammatical errors will reduce the grade); a completely original
                essay (plagiarism will result in a grade of "0" and likely course failure)

Length:  1500-1750 words (please edit your essay so that it is very close to this length)

Due:       Noon, Dec. 7, 2000 [may be submitted earlier]

Essay Topic:   Write your essay one (1) of the following topics:
 
                1.  How & why has this study changed your view of other cultures & religions and your view of your own
                     culture & religion/worldview?
                2.  Why study women & religion at all and what has intellectually affected you the most in this study?  Why?
                3.  Significant historical figures in regard to understanding the role and meaning of women in and for religion.
                4.  Women in creation myths and in connection with the origins of evil (myths other than the Genesis myths
                     since those have been discussed)
                5.  The connection between gender and God / Ultimate in various religions
                6.  A fictional autobiography or biography of a women in religion, or a fictional interreligious dialogue about
                     women in religion by a group of women from various religions

                If you would prefer to write on a topic not listed here because you think that topic would be more
                   significant and captivating for you, email me with the possible topic and why you want to write on it.
 
Criteria for Evaluation:
    1.  Essays will be evaluated primarily for the actual content that is analyzed, interpreted & evaluated
    2.  A well presented essay, free of grammatical errors, etc.
    3.  A totally original essay without copying from any sources; plagiarism = "0"
    4.  The essay needs to directly address the topic selected
    5.  Direct or indirect quotes or references from the books should be included in the essay by referring to
         author and page number
    6.  If other sources/resources are used besides are class texts, include a bibliography of those sources
         at the end of the essay.
    7.  Web links may be included in the body of the essay where appropriate.


                                               Reflective, Self-Evaluation Essay

As this course comes to a conclusion,  you are requested to actively contribute to the final evaluation
of your work this semester and what you think, based upon your writings, participation, development in
critical, creative thinking, reading of assignments, attendance, contribution to work in groups, discussion
list participation, effort, etc. would be an honest, fair and accurate letter grade that would truly reflect the
quality and quantity of your work in this study.  Be sure that your essay expresses WHY you say what you say
should be your letter grade.

This narrative, the self-given grade and the reasons for it, if done seriously and honestly, will be seriously
considered when your official course grade is given.  Don't inflate or deflate your work and participation.
Only you can give the perspective and analysis of your work in the course that you can.  I hope you will
take this essay as a way of expressing your voice and taking more responsibility for the course as a whole.

Thank you for cooperating in this/your evaluation.

This self-evaluation essay is to be sent along with your  final, individual essay, as a single email,
to the mentor's email address no later than noon, Dec. 7, 2000.

Your reflection should be 300 - 400 words in length.

                                                         RST 280 Syllabus   |   RST 280 Schedule