Research Question

On a piece of lined paper, write down your research question. That question must be placed in your folder. The question must be approved by me before you begin your research and writing.

Writing The Research Paper: Developing Your Research Question

Over the duration of this course, you've explored creation myths, Greek and Roman gods, ancient and modern religions and philosophies.

Now develop a research question that involves comparing and contrasting religious or philosophical ideas.

Your research question can explore the relationship between a religious or philosophical set of beliefs and a modern political or social issue.

It can explore the differences between two philosophical or religious beliefs, and how people who adhere to these beliefs conduct themselves.

Go through your folder and the research that you have typed into the computer. That research should provide a basis for your explorations. Pick something that you are interested in exploring further, or, if you prefer, research new religions or philosophies to support your research question and provide material for your research paper.

Hand in your research question to me on a piece of paper.

Welcome to Cycle 6! Here's Your First Assignment:

Compare and contrast the religion you've researched with a modern religion or philosophy. Pick one with which you are familiar, but want to know more about. Here are some modern, presently practiced religions and philosophies of existence:

1. Islam (Muslim religion)
2. Existentialism
3. Atheism
4. Modern Catholicism (today's Catholic Church)
5. Christian Protestant Churches, for instance:
Methodist
Calvinist
Lutheran
Mormon
Episcopalian
Presbyterian
Baptist
Pentecostal
Jehovah's Witness
etc.
6. Modern Paganism (for instance, Wicca)
7. Modern, mystical practices of ancient religions, or "New Age" movements like:
Zen Buddhism
Sufism
Buddhist chanting
Yoga (a specific Yogic practice, not just the exercise method)
etc.

Respond to the questions below. Hand written, your essay should be at least a page and a half long. Typed, double spaced, (no larger than Arial 14 point font), it should be at least a page long. Remember to CITE YOUR SOURCES (state which web sites you got your information from).

1. Describe the religion or philosophy

2. Where is it practiced?

3. What are the religion or philosophy's core beliefs?

4. What moral practices are important to the people who believe in this religion or philosophy?

5. How is this religion or philosophy similar to, or different from, the ancient religion that you researched at the end of last cycle?

Final Assessment for Spring 09, Cycle 5

We have studied the ways in which the Roman Empire’s polytheistic religion was overtaken by Christianity. What other beliefs dominated the world during that time?

1. Hinduism
2. Buddhism
3. Shintoism
4. Daoism (Taoism)
5. Confucianism
6. Ancestor Worship (in Asia)

STEP ONE (This step must be completed during this cycle in order to pass the class): Pick one of these six. You may start with wikipedia to discover basic facts about whichever you choose. Then you must find a second source of information on the topic on the internet, using our standard guidelines and practices for internet research.

Respond to the questions below. Hand written, your essay should be at least a page and a half long. Typed, double spaced, (no larger than Arial 14 point font), it should be at least a page long. Remember to CITE YOUR SOURCES (state which web sites you got your information from).

1. Describe the religion

2. Where was it practiced, during the 1st to 4th Centuries, AD (or CE)?

3. Was this religion a polytheistic or monotheistic religion?

4. What moral beliefs and practices were important to the people who practiced this religion?

5. How is this religion similar to, or different from the beliefs of the Christians in the Holy Roman Empire?


STEP TWO (May be begun, but does not have to be completed this cycle):

Compare and contrast the religion you've researched with a modern religion or philosophy. Pick one with which you are familiar, but want to know more about. Here are some modern, presently practiced religions and philosophies of existence:

1. Islam (Muslim religion)
2. Existentialism
3. Atheism
4. Modern Catholicism (today's Catholic Church)
5. Christian Protestant Churches, for instance:
Methodist
Calvinist
Lutheran
Mormon
Episcopalian
Presbyterian
Baptist
Pentecostal
Jehovah's Witness
etc.
6. Modern Paganism (for instance, Wicca)
7. Modern, mystical practices of ancient religions, or "New Age" movements like:
Zen Buddhism
Sufism
Buddhist chanting
Yoga (a specific Yogic practice, not just the exercise method)
etc.

Respond to the questions below. Hand written, your essay should be at least a page and a half long. Typed, double spaced, (no larger than Arial 14 point font), it should be at least a page long. Remember to CITE YOUR SOURCES (state which web sites you got your information from).

1. Describe the religion or philosophy

2. Where is it practiced?

3. What are the religion or philosophy's core beliefs?

4. What moral practices are important to the people who believe in this religion or philosophy?

5. How is this religion similar to, or different from the ancient religion that you researched in STEP ONE?