Religions of the word

  1. This assignment is intended to assess the 3rd component of the VolCore learning outcome,
    GCI: “Students will demonstrate an ability to critically compare and reflect on different
    social and cultural perspectives.” Please make sure that your writing demonstrates critical
    comparison as well as reflection on different social and cultural perspectives.
  2. Choose two religious traditions associated with a social, ethnic, or cultural group outside the
    United States of America. The tradition can be one that is also practiced in the US, but your
    discussion will need to focus on aspects of that tradition outside the US. At least one tradition
    has to be a tradition that was studied in the course (Indigenous religions outside the US,
    Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism,
    or Shinto). The other tradition may be one that was not studied in the course, but it is
    recommended to compare two traditions from the course.
  3. Choose an aspect present in both traditions (foundation myth, ritual, festival, salvation
    theology, clergy, etc.), and discuss them comparatively in a critical manner: what are some
    commonalities you can identify between these two traditions? Describe at least one difference
    notable in your comparison. Consider how this difference helps understand and appreciate the
    uniqueness and significance of each of these traditions for a multicultural, pluralistic world.
  4. Consult at least two scholarly sources, and cite them properly in a Works Cited section at
    the end of your essay.
  5. Consult guidelines for scholarly writing.
  6. Assignment should be around 500 words, excluding block quotes, footnotes, and bibliography.