The document provides instructions for a final written reflection and discussion assignment for a religious and theological studies course. Students are asked to write a 2-3 page single-spaced essay responding to the question "How does a religious tradition shape an understanding of what it means to be human?" by drawing on course readings and discussions. The essay should include: an explanation of how scholars study religious traditions; analysis of how Christianity shapes understanding of the human using scripture and sources; discussion of how another tradition (Judaism or Islam) shapes the human using course materials; and an argument for why studying religious traditions is significant today supported by course evidence. Students will complete a draft, group discussion, and final submission in MLA format for grading based

1. The purpose of the final written reflection
To explain what you have learned in this course concerning
religious and theological studies.
The purpose of the final discussion
To discuss your understanding of the course material and to
learn from the variety of ways in which your classmates
understood the course content.
The focus question and the audience for the final written
reflection and discussion
How does a religious tradition shape an understanding of what
it means to be human? Your audience is other students in this
class, some of whom will be reading your written reflection.
Organization and content of the essay
The written reflection is to be organized around the following
four components and should appear in your essay in the order
listed below.
1. Explain some basic ways that scholars study religious
traditions. What are some of the key questions and basic
concepts they use to study a religious tradition?
(Prothero, Portier Ch.1, and Portier Ch.3, can be useful to you
here.)
2. How were these approaches (the key questions and basic
concepts) used in our study of Christianity? What are some of
the fundamentals (beliefs, practices, teachings, exemplars) that
emerge from our study of Christianity, and how do they shape a
Christian
’s
understanding of what it means to be human in relationship to
God?
(Please use two class readings from the Christian Scriptures and
at least three other sources from the sections on Christianity.)
3. Choose one of the other religious traditions studied in this
course (Judaism or Islam). Discuss some of the key questions
and basic concepts we used to study that religious tradition.
What are some of the fundamentals (beliefs, practices,

2. teachings, exemplars) that emerge from our study of that
tradition, and
how do they shape that tradition’s understanding of what it
means to be human?
(The Overviews,
Creation Accounts from Qur’an Translation, Siddiqui,
A Common Word, Ochs, Dabru Emet, and Genesis will be
useful to you here
–
use at least two sources for whichever tradition you choose.)
4. Finally, explain why the study of religious traditions,
especially their understanding of the human person, is
significant in the 21
st
century. Use evidence from the authors read this semester and
class discussions to back up your argument.
(This is to be your reflection; however, evidence used for your
position must be cited!)
(over)
Grading criteria
Bringing your completed rough draft to class
Completing group discussion and worksheet
Final Essay submitted on Isidore:
Inclusion of material from the class readings and discussions,
and an accurate representation of the content of the material.
The written reflection must include course material from

3. throughout the course.
Written reflection demonstrates critical reflection on course
material and class discussion.
“C
ritical
”
here means being able to make distinctions and provide clear
explanations that help you to give an appropriate account of
ways in which scholars approach religious and theological
studies and how a religious tradition shapes an understanding of
what it means to be human.
Written reflection demonstrates creative reflection on course
material and class discussion.
“
Creative
”
here means communicating your understanding of the ways in
which scholars approach religious and theological studies and
how a religious tradition shapes an understanding of what it
means to be human.
Proper use of grammar, clarity of writing, correct spelling,
citation of sources (including page numbers and chapter/verse
numbers for Scripture)
, and proper format (12-point Times New Roman font, single-
spaced lines with one-inch margins).
This course introduces students to two academic disciplines: the
study of religions as historical and embodied realities, and
theology as faith seeking understanding. By study within these
two disciplines, students will gain a critical self-awareness of
the ways in which the modern context shapes their engagement
with religion. The course emphasizes learning how to read
Scripture and other primary religious sources as well as how the

4. Catholic intellectual tradition addresses God, the meaning of
human life, and the significance of human diversity.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. articulate an introductory level understanding of concepts
characteristic of the study of religions as historical and
embodied realities and be able to discuss examples of those
concepts.
2. articulate an introductory level understanding of the study of
theology as faith seeking understanding.
3. describe how the Catholic tradition engages religious
diversity, both outside and within Catholicism
4. read scripture and other primary sources with attention to
context, critically and sympathetically; be able to describe,
analyze, and compare such primary sources in writing.
5. demonstrate a critical self-awareness about how the modern
context shapes their engagement with religions
6. describe examples from the Catholic intellectual tradition on
God and what it means to be human as expressed theologically,
philosophically, artistically, and in lived practice including
some examples from the Catholic social teachings.
Three theme questions
should be kept in mind as we read and discuss the
course’s texts. They will help
us reach these six Student Learning Outcomes. They are:
What does it mean to be human?
What is discipleship?
What elements constitute conversion?
2-3pages single space MLA