Monday, May 19, 2014
Thank You for an Enlightening Semester
I am almost finished with your sections. I hope to start inputting grades by Wednesday. If you emailed me, I'll get back to you as soon as I'm done reading papers.
I'll also email everyone this weekend about a hike on June 1st.
Again, thank you for a fun semester!
-D
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Week 16: Mo 12
Monday, May 5, 2014
Spiritual News 04.05.14
- What's good for the goose: Satanist group unveils statue it wants displayed alongside the Ten Commandments in OK state capitol building (ABC News)
- Supreme Court: Public prayer allowed at town's council meeting (CNN)
- Kentucky university students can now take a class on Harry Potter and religion (FOX News)
- Where in the world can being gay can get you killed? (MSNBC)
- Is the "Gospel of Jesus' Wife" a fake after all? (Washington Post)
- Buddhist monks break dance in honor of the Beastie Boys' MCA (Huffington Post)
Process Analysis
You are being asked to write a process analysis, or reflection, of how your writing has changed during this course. The goal is to discover something about yourself as a writer and thinker. Along with the process analysis, you will need to embed relevant examples that highlight your process in writing an essay and evaluating, workshopping, editing and revising that same essay. These examples must be included in the paragraphs in your essay, not attached as an appendix. Remember, the focus here is on the process, not the product.
Consider your strengths and weaknesses as a writer when you began English 1B. Think about what you learned over the semester and what skills you will use in future coursework and beyond.
- Write a 1200-1400 word essay that analyzes your writing and yourself as a writer.
- Your response must be in standard essay format, NOT numbered or in Q&A format.
- You can address the topics in any order that helps you make your point.
- Include the word count at the end of your essay.
Address the first item in the table and then two of the three other areas in the chart:
| Area of Reflection | Questions to Prompt Your Thinking |
| Writing Strategies (REQUIRED) | Identify writing habits and practices that work well and that you will continue to use in your future writing. Illustrate with samples from your semester’s writing. Where do you do your best work? What tools are helpful when writing? What writing strategies and practices did you learned in this course that work well for you? Analyze what you think these preferences say about you as a writer and a learner. |
| Research | Include an example of summary, paraphrase, or direct quotation. Why did you choose one method over the other? How did you weave the information into your essay or provide transitions? |
| Feedback | What advice did you receive (from peer review, tutoring, workshop, instructor feedback) that was particularly helpful when revising your work? Illustrate using at least two examples from past assignments, including the comments. How can you apply that advice to future writing? |
| Revision | Analyze how you revised a specific paragraph. Describe the choices you made and why; include the paragraph in your essay. |
You are being graded on the following:
The reflective analysis counts for 10% of your final grade. No late papers.
- Did you answer at least three questions and include appropriate examples?
- Does your reflection demonstrate serious consideration of your writing process?
- Do the examples you include support your reflection?
- Is the overall presentation of the reflection clear and professional?
- Does your writing reflect college-level syntactic variety and diction and demonstrate your fluency with the competencies established in first-year composition (grammar, mechanics, usage, etc.)?
The reflective analysis counts for 10% of your final grade. No late papers.
Due: Mon 05.12
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Week 15: Mo 05/We 07
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| Scientology (Orig. 1954, USA) |
Sec 16:
Week 15: Mo 05/We 07
Class: Multimedia presentations
Upcoming:
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS; RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Sec. 80:
Week 15: Mo 05
Class: Multimedia presentations, guest speaker TBA
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (Up to page 8 - 10)
Upcoming:
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Due via email on Sat. May 17th by noon: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Spiritual News 05.01.14
- Britain’s first Buddhist Lama: Loch Ness Monster is a water deity (Scotsman)
- Iowa senate candidates: Judges who don't follow "biblical law'" will be blocked (RightWingWatch)
- Contraception, cohabitation, divorce, remarriage, and same-sex unions: Issues now up for debate at the Vatican (Los Angeles Times)
- Celebrities line up to boycott the Sultan of Brunei's Beverly Hills Hotel over anti-gay policies (Hollywood Reporter)
- Who owns Saddam Husein's stash of Jewish treasures? (Newshour)
- Jars of Clay fans lash out at lead singer after tweets in support of same-sex marriage (The Wire)
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Week 14: Mo 28/We 30
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| Sikhism (orig. 15th century, Punjab) |
Week 14: Mo 28/We 30
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 14: Mo 28
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Sec. 16 upcoming:
Week 15: Mo 05/We 07
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Sec. 80 upcoming:
Week 15: Mo 05
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Monday, April 21, 2014
Spiritual News 04.21.14
- Poveglia, "the world's most haunted island," goes on the auction block (New York Daily News)
- Even on Easter, Jesus is booed (Yahoo! Sports)
- When Easter and 420 collide (CBS News)
- There may or may not be an atheist in South Carolina's government (Buzzfeed)
- Survey: 51% of Americans question the Big Bang Theory (NBC News)
- Citing religious beliefs, some Cleveland cabbies refuse to display ads for Gay Games (takepart)
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Week 13: Mo 21/We 23
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| Baptists (Orig. 17 century, England) |
Sec. 16:
Week 13: Mo 21/We 23
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES)
Week 13: Mo 21
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES)
Sec. 16 upcoming:
Week 14: Mo 28/We 30
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05/We 07
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Sec. 80 upcoming:
Week 14: Mo 28
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Spiritual News 04.16.14
- Religious Oregon high school students wear "Gay is Not OK" shirts on Unity Week's Day of Silence (The Raw Story)
- Homeless Jesus statue rocks wealthy community (NPR)
- No evidence of forgery in ancient text that speaks of Jesus' wife (Boston Globe)
- New bill proposes the Bible as Louisiana's state book (WWL-TV)
- The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster granted religious status in Poland, Pastafarians rejoice (Guardian)
- Canadian Christian school asks students, faculty to abstain from pornography, pre-marital sex, and homosexuality (Yahoo! News Canada)
Monday, April 14, 2014
Close Read Essay: Spiritual Matters on Film
Below are the scenes you may choose from for next week's in-class close read essay. You will be responsible for just one scene. They represent various perspectives on spirituality or a lack of. The goal is to closely analyze the scene in order to reveal new levels of understanding. We will discuss how this is done in class this week.
"Because Might Makes Right" from Crimes and Misdemeanors (Dir. Woody Allen, 1989)
"In the Name of God the Merciful" from Paradise Now (Dir. Hany Abu-Assad, 2005)
"I Read Your Book" from Contact (Dir. Robert Zemeckis, 1997)
"I Will Do What Needs to be Done" from Doubt (Dir. John Patrick Shanley, 2008)
"Every Sperm is Sacred" from Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (Dir. Tery Jones, 1983)
"It is a Small, Quiet Maryland Town" from The Blair Witch Project (Dirs. Eduardo Sánchez & Daniel Myrick, 1999)
"Because Might Makes Right" from Crimes and Misdemeanors (Dir. Woody Allen, 1989)
"In the Name of God the Merciful" from Paradise Now (Dir. Hany Abu-Assad, 2005)
"I Read Your Book" from Contact (Dir. Robert Zemeckis, 1997)
"I Will Do What Needs to be Done" from Doubt (Dir. John Patrick Shanley, 2008)
"Every Sperm is Sacred" from Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (Dir. Tery Jones, 1983)
"It is a Small, Quiet Maryland Town" from The Blair Witch Project (Dirs. Eduardo Sánchez & Daniel Myrick, 1999)
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Week 12: Mo 14/We 16
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| Wicca (Orig. 1954, UK) |
Week 12: Mo 14/We 16
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA)
Due: REFLECTION 06; RESEARCH PAPER THESIS
Sec. 80:
Week 12: Mo 14
Class: Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA)
Due: REFLECTION 06
Sec. 16 Upcoming:
Week 13: Mo 21/We 23
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES); COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS (via email by noon on Sat. 04.19)
Week 14: Mo 28/We 30
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05/We 07
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Sec. 80 Upcoming:
Week 13: Mo 21
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES)
Week 14: Mo 28
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Comparative Analysis Essay: Finding and Losing God (Sec. 80)

“At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly right are a million to one, I need to know that God has things figured out, that if my math is wrong we are still going to be okay. And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. I don't think there is any better worship than wonder.”
—Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
“I could just see him sitting on his suitcases near the front door of my house. And I said to him, ‘I'm sorry God; it's not you. It's me. It's just, I don't think you exist. I mean, God, look at it this way: it's really because I take you so seriously that I can't bring myself to believe in you. If it's any consolation, it's sort of a sign of respect. So, you know, sit here as long as you want to, stay for a while, if you need to, there's no big hurry.’
And slowly, over the course of several weeks, he disappeared.”
—Julia Sweeney, Letting Go of God
***
In Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller embarks on a varied spiritual journey that ultimately reaffirms his Christian faith. Meanwhile, in Letting Go of God, devout Catholic Julia Sweeney comes to embrace a new identity for herself, that of an atheist. Although these two are on seemingly opposite ends of the spiritual spectrum, their respective journeys have much in common. In a concise essay, compare and contrast Miller’s and Sweeney’s stories about reaffirming and losing faith. Use specific examples from both the book and monologue to support your thesis.
Requirements:
- Three pages minimum
- MLA Style
- Parenthetical citation
- Works cited page
Due: Via email by noon on Sat 04.19
Friday, April 11, 2014
Reflection 06: We All Get a Turn—Thoughts on Death
Generally speaking, humans tend not to dwell on death too much. For most of us, our own death is a concept too large to wrap our brains around. Still, each and every one of us will eventually die. To help reconcile the gravity of that fact, we've constructed a number of explanations for what happens when we die via religion, philosophy, science, and the arts. Constructs, such as the circle of life or an afterlife, help us better comprehend what lies ahead. But, of course, now one can agree just what happens at the moment of our death. What do you believe happens when we die? Does our essence live on through a soul or form of energy? What of the role of science? How has it informed our understanding of this natural process? Finally, are you afraid of dying? What, if anything, gives you comfort?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "Thinking about Death Can Make You Value Life More" (LiveScience)
- "Five Facts About Americans’ Views on Life-and-Death Issues (Pew Research)
- "What Happens When We Die? " (Time)
- "I Do Not Fear Death" (Salon)
- "Confronting Death with an Open, Mindful Attitude" (Huffington Post)
- "askReddit: People Who Don't Fear Death, Why Do You Not Fear It?" (Reddit)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- Works cited page
Due: Sec. 16—We 04.16; Sec 80—Mo 04.14
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Spiritual News 04.10.14
- Fight Church: When Jesus and MMA mix (Huffngton Post)
- The Mormon Church has its first online-only missionary (Huffington Post)
- Why do religion and science fiction fit so well? (Desert News)
- US not as religiously diverse as we might think (Washington Times)
- When God can't get a credit report (Syracuse Post-Standard)
- Nigerian child bride, 14, poisons new husband and wedding party (New York Post)
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Week 11: Mo 07/We 09
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| Catholicism (Orig. 1 century, Jerusalem) |
Sec. 16:
Week 11: Mo 07/We 09
Class: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Sec. 80:
Readings: BLUE—p. 1-240
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“Constructing a Research Paper: A How-To”
Due: REFLECTION 05
Upcoming:
-Sec. 16:
Week 12: Mo 14/We 16
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA)
Due: REFLECTION 06; RESEARCH PAPER THESIS
Week 13: Mo 21/We 23
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES)
Week 14: Mo 28/We 30
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05/We 07
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
-Sec. 80:
Week 12: Mo 14
Class: Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA)
Due: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS; REFLECTION 06
Week 13: Mo 21
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES)
Week 14: Mo 28
Class: Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05
Class: Multimedia presentations
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 16: Mo 12
Class: End-of-class review
Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Spiritual News 04.06.14
- Evangelical group calls gay-friendly Honey Maid Graham Crackers ad "Satanic" (The Raw Story)
- After outcry, Atlanta Archbishop to sell $2.2 million mansion bought with church funds (NPR)
- Atheists now classified as terrorists under Saudi Arabian law (Mediaite)
- Five (other) flood stories you may not know (Religion Dispathces)
- Pat Robertson: Electronic shopping may be the "Mark of the Beast" (Daily Beast)
- Buddhist-Wiccan officer sues LAPD for harassment (Los Angeles Daily News)
Monday, March 31, 2014
Week 10: We 02
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| Atheism (orig. unknown) |
Sec 16:
Week 10: Mo 31
No Class—Cesar Chavez Day
Week 10: We 02
Readings: BLUE—p. 1-240
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations, Lecture—“Constructing a Research Paper: A How-To”
Due: REFLECTION 05
Sec. 80:
Week 10: Mo 31
No Class—Cesar Chavez Day
Upcoming:
Sec. 16:
Week 11: Mo 07/We 09
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Sec. 80:
Readings: BLUE—p. 1-240
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“Constructing a Research Paper: A How-To”
Due: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS; REFLECTION 05
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Spiritual News 03.29.14
- Candace Cameron Bure aims to maintain her Christian beliefs while on Dancing with the Stars (ABC News)
- Pat Robertson: Woman's atheism might be due to rape or abuse (Kansas City Star)
- Creationist believe they are due equal time after Cosmos (Huffington Post)
- Does social media undermine religion? (Huffington Post)
- Can faith offer relief to addicts? (Wall Street Journal)
- UK survey: More Britons believe in ghosts than in God (Daily Mail)
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Reflection 05: Thou Shalt Not—Reconciling American's Puritanical Roots
America is something of an anomaly in the world. As a culture, we bombard ourselves with sexual imagery, yet we find it difficult to have national conversations about sex. Today, Americans are more sexually open than ever before, but stigmas still exist about everything from premarital sex to masturbation to promiscuity. These are vestiges of our country's Puritanical roots. Considered overly radical and pious, the Puritans fled England, settling in North America in the 17th century. They brought with them their particularly stringent style of Christianity. The Puritan view of sex was complicated—they were decidedly pro-sex, so long as it happened within the confines of a marriage, but sex outside of marriage could be punished harshly. Many of the stern Puritan views of adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, and promiscuity still linger today, particularly amongst some Christian groups. Consider the Christian influence in national matters such as same-sex marriage, contraception, sexual education, and abortion. For better or worse, our Puritanical roots help shape the modern American sexual psyche, even in the 21st century. But what should be the role of religion in these national conversations? For example, should religion play a role in national debates, such as what constitutes rape and the effects of pornography? How can 2014 America reconcile its 1600s upbringing?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "Are Sex and Religion Natural Enemies?" (Psychology Today)
- "One Preacher's Message: Have Hotter Sex" (NBC News)
- "Masturbation: Does Your Religion Give It the Thumbs Up or Down?" (Beliefnet)
- "God, Sex and Love on American Campuses" (Huffington Post)
- "Christians and Masturbation: Seven Perspectives" (Rachel Held Evans)
- "I Am Damaged Goods" (A Deeper Story)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- Works cited page
Due: Sec. 16—We 04.02; Sec 80—Mo 04.07
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Week 09: Mo 24/WE 26
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| New Age Movement (orig. c. late 19th century, United States) |
Spring Break—Week 09: Mo 24/WE 26
No class
Upcoming:
Sec 16:
Week 10: Mo 31
No Class—Cesar Chavez Day
Week 10: We 02
Readings: BLUE—p. 1-240
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations, Lecture—“Constructing a Research Paper: A How-To”
Due: REFLECTION 05
Sec. 80:
Week 10: Mo 31
No Class—Cesar Chavez Day
Monday, March 17, 2014
Spiritual News 03.17.14
- Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps "on the edge of death" (NPR)
- ... Should people cheer on Phelp's death? (Huffington Post)
- How military uniform rules keep some religious Americans from enlisting (NPR)
- Woman drives her car through a church because she says God told her to do so (WCYB)
- ACLU and school district settle after student tells sixth grade Buddhist student: "You're stupid if you don't believe in God" (Politix)
- Survey: 1 in 5 Americans say religion is "not that important' to them (Huffington Post)
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Week 08: Mo 17/We 19
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| Ancient Egyptian Mythology (orig. c. 2686 BCE, Egypt) |
Week 08: Mo 17/We 19
Readings: LETTING—0:00-2:06:30; eR—“What Exactly is a Meme? (Gizmodo), “How to Do a Close Reading” (Harvard College Writing Center)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: PERSUASIVE; REFLECTION 04
Sec. 80:
Week 08: Mo 17
Readings: LETTING—0:00-2:06:30; eR—“What Exactly is a Meme? (Gizmodo), “How to Do a Close Reading” (Harvard College Writing Center)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: PERSUASIVE; REFLECTION 04
Upcoming:
Sec. 16 & Sec. 80:
Spring Break—Week 09: Mo 24/WE 26
No class
Cesar Chavez Day—
No Class
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Spiritual News 03.12.14
- Satirical Book of Mormon musical to play in Salt Lake City in 2015 (Entertainment Weekly)
- Ann Osman is a pioneer Muslim female MMA fighter (FOXSports)
- New study says cohabiting before marriage doesn't lead to an increased likelihood of divorce (Christian Science Monitor)
- Pope Francis said to have ordered an investigation into the possibility of same-sex civil unions in the Catholic Church (Yahoo! News)
- Noah facing bans in several Arab countries because "it contradicts the teachings of Islam" (Reuters)
- Meet the men of Alpha Lambda Mu, the first social Muslim fraternity in America (NPR)
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Reflection 04: Can We Talk?/Let's Change the Subject—How (and How Not) to Talk About Religion
An old adage says Americans should never talk about money, politics, and religion. In reality, all three subjects are talked about regularly today, but all three subjects come with potential pitfalls. Americans must carefully navigate social waters when it comes to religion, especially. Whether you are the one bringing up the subject of religion or you are the one hoping to escape any such conversation, American etiquette dictates at least a minimum amount of politeness and tact. Unfortunately, religious conversations—even amongst friends—often quickly become uncivil. How should we talk about religion in America? What are the right and wrong times to bring it up? If you are a person of faith, what rules guide the times you speak of your faith? If you do not believe in a religion, how would you prefer the topic is broached, if at all? Finally, where can we find common ground in a topic that divides us so?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "How to Talk About Religion Without Starting a Fight" (Jezebel)
- "How Not to Talk About the Beliefs of Others" (Huffington Post)
- "Do You Discuss Religion with Friends?" (New York Times)
- "What Non-Christians Want Christians to Hear" (Patheos)
- "Proselytize: Three Reasons Why Christians Can't (and Shouldn't) Stop" (Christian Post)
- "Can We Talk about Religion, Please?' (New York Times)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- Works cited page
Due: Sec. 16—We 03.19; Sec 80—Mo 03.17
Monday, March 10, 2014
Persuasive Essay: The Creationism Question
For several decades, some segments of American Christianity have pushed for Creationism, the creation myth of the Bible, to be included in the country's public schools, either supplanting Evolution or, at least, presented with equal weight. They argue that Creationism is not only divinely-directed, but scientifically sound, and therefore, appropriate to be taught in schools. In reality, the issue is part of a larger continuing debate about the divisions between religious and secular interests in our society. What is the appropriate place, if any, for Creationism in a public school education? Does it belong in a science lab? A humanities classroom? Or not at all? What are the consequences of having Creationism in (or out) of American schools? Finally, how does Intelligent Design changes the parameters of the debate? In a clear and concise persuasive essay, argue for the most appropriate role for Creationism in an American education.
Cite from the texts below to support your thesis:
- "My Take: Jesus Would Believe in Evolution and So Should You' (CNN)
- "Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Six Bones of Contention' (National Geographic)
- "Evolution is False: Public Schools Should Teach Intelligent Design' (PolicyMic)
- "Creationism vs. Evolution: An American Problem, an American Opportunity" (NPR)
- "Texas Public Schools are Teaching Creationism" (Slate)
- "The Growing Partisan Divide on Evolution' (Moyers & Company)
- "Creationism Versus Evolutionism: When Will this Debate Ever End?' (Huffington Post)
- "Public’s Views on Human Evolution" (Pew Research Center)
- "Creationists Cite ‘Academic Freedom’ to Teach Beliefs in Schools" (Al Jazeera America)
- "How Evolution Gets Used and Abused in the Science-Religion Debate” (Huffington Post)
Requirements:
- Three pages minimum
- MLA Style
- Parenthetical citation
- Works cited page
The best papers will:
- Stay within the parameters of the prompt, focusing on the role Creationism should have in public schools
- Have a concise thesis
- Mount a convincing argument using the above texts
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
- Conclude with a summation of your points
- Be in MLA Style
Due:
Sec 16—03.19.04
Sec 80—03.17.04
Sec 16—03.19.04
Sec 80—03.17.04
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Week 07: Mo 10/We 12
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| Christianity (orig. c. 33 CE, Judea) |
Sec. 16:
Week 07: Mo 10/We 12
Readings: eR—“My Take: Jesus Would Believe in Evolution and So Should You” (CNN), “Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Six Bones of Contention” (National Geographic), “Evolution is False: Public Schools Should Teach Intelligent Design” (PolicyMic), “Creationism vs. Evolution: An American Problem, an American Opportunity” (NPR)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA); Lecture—“Spirituality on Small Screen” Due: SYNTHESIS; REFLECTION 03
Sec. 80:
Week 07: Mo 10/We 12
Readings: eR—“My Take: Jesus Would Believe in Evolution and So Should You” (CNN), “Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Six Bones of Contention” (National Geographic), “Evolution is False: Public Schools Should Teach Intelligent Design” (PolicyMic), “Creationism vs. Evolution: An American Problem, an American Opportunity” (NPR) Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA); Lecture—“Spirituality on Small Screen”
Due: SYNTHESIS; REFLECTION 03
Upcoming:
Sec. 16:
Week 08: Mo 17/We 19
Readings: LETTING—0:00-2:06:30; eR—“What Exactly is a Meme? (Gizmodo), “How to Do a Close Reading” (Harvard College Writing Center)
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: PERSUASIVE; REFLECTION 04
Sec. 80:
Week 08: Mo 17
Readings: LETTING—0:00-2:06:30; eR—“What Exactly is a Meme? (Gizmodo), “How to Do a Close Reading” (Harvard College Writing Center)
Class: CLOSE READ; Writers workshop; Multimedia presentations
Due: PERSUASIVE; REFLECTION 04
Sec. 16 & Sec. 80:
Spring Break—Week 09: Mo 24/WE 26
No class
Cesar Chavez Day—
No Class
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Spiritual News 03.05.14
- Darren Aronofsky's Noah to get a "disclaimer" (TheWire)
- It's Ash Wednesday, so what is Lent? (International Business Times)
- Why do we need a sexed-up Jesus? (Daily Beast)
- Mormon Church clarifies some points after Book of Mormon (ABC News)
- Accused of being a witch, woman is beaten to death (Times of India)
- Ireland's fastest growing religion: Islam (International Business Times)
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Reflection 03: Picking and Choosing—Cafeteria Spiritualism
Some Mormons just can't do without caffeine, so they drink coffee. Some Catholics want control of their family planning, so they use contraceptives. Some Jews love the pageantry of Christmas, so they celebrate it every December 25th. Likewise, a person who finds comfort in Buddhist incantations, respects the environmental reverence of the Wiccans, and admires the Quaker emphasis on self-reliance might combine them into a personalized belief system. All of these are examples of the contemporary phenomenon of so-called "cafeteria spiritualism," sometimes called "salad bar" spiritualism. It is the practice of individuals customizing faiths, or parts of them, to fit their individual needs. In earlier times, followers of a devout faith generally accepted all aspects of that religion on the basis that true believers wholeheartedly embraced all related tenants. Not so today. In the 21st century, Americans routinely pick and choose the aspects of a faith, or faiths, that best fit their needs. Thus, younger generations of Americans are less likely to prescribe to a specific religion, opting instead to identify themselves as the ubiquitous "spiritual, but not religious." What do you think of cafeteria spiritualism? Does it make more sense in a pluralistic society, such as ours? Or should we return to the old days, when a Catholic was a Catholic and a Jew was a Jew, etc? Finally, have you, or anyone you know, partaken in this style of faith?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "My Religion is a Salad Bar" (Center for Creative Ministry)
- "Most Americans Pick and Choose Religious Beliefs" (Christian Post)
- "Cafeteria Spirituality" (Wake Up for Life!)
- "'Cafeteria-style' Spirituality as a Danger We Can't Ignore" (Orlando Sentinel)
- "Deliver Us From Salad Bar Religion" (Reformed Theology)
- "Inside the Spiritual Jacuzzi" (Reason)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- Works cited page
Due: Sec. 16—We 03.12; Sec 80—Mo 03.10
Week 06: Mo 03/We 05
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| Buddhism (orig. c. 563-623 BCE, Nepal) |
Sec. 16:
Week 06: Mo 03/We 05
Readings: eR—“Texas Public Schools are Teaching Creationism” (Slate), “The Growing Partisan Divide on Evolution” (Moyers & Company), Creationism Versus Evolutionism: When Will this Debate Ever End?” (Huffington Post), “Public’s Views on Human Evolution” (Pew Research Center), “Creationists Cite ‘Academic Freedom’ to Teach Beliefs in Schools” (Al Jazeera America), “How Evolution Gets Used and Abused in the Science-Religion Debate”
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“On Wordiness”
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
Sec 80:
Week 06: Mo 03
Readings: eR—“Texas Public Schools are Teaching Creationism” (Slate), “The Growing Partisan Divide on Evolution” (Moyers & Company), Creationism Versus Evolutionism: When Will this Debate Ever End?” (Huffington Post), “Public’s Views on Human Evolution” (Pew Research Center), “Creationists Cite ‘Academic Freedom’ to Teach Beliefs in Schools” (Al Jazeera America), “How Evolution Gets Used and Abused in the Science-Religion Debate”
Class: Writers workshop; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“On Wordiness”
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING TWO COPIES)
Upcoming:
Sec. 16:
Week 07: Mo 10/We 12
Readings: eR—“My Take: Jesus Would Believe in Evolution and So Should You” (CNN), “Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Six Bones of Contention” (National Geographic), “Evolution is False: Public Schools Should Teach Intelligent Design” (PolicyMic), “Creationism vs. Evolution: An American Problem, an American Opportunity” (NPR) Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA); Lecture—“Spirituality on Small Screen”
Due: PERSUASIVE; REFLECTION 03
Sec. 80:
Week 07: Mo 10/We 12
Readings: eR—“My Take: Jesus Would Believe in Evolution and So Should You” (CNN), “Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Six Bones of Contention” (National Geographic), “Evolution is False: Public Schools Should Teach Intelligent Design” (PolicyMic), “Creationism vs. Evolution: An American Problem, an American Opportunity” (NPR) Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA); Lecture—“Spirituality on Small Screen”
Due: PERSUASIVE; REFLECTION 03
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Synthesis Essay: Atheists in Contemporary America
Over the past 20 years, atheists have become increasingly visible in American society. In some quarters of American society, such as academia and science, they've generally been welcomed. But other facets of American life, such as religion and politics, have been more hostile toward atheists. How would you characterize 2014 America's view of atheists? For example, are American generally accepting of atheist perspectives? Do you believe they receive fair representation in the media? Do we reserve a space for non-believers in our national discussions? Finally, how are atheists reacting to their treatment from mainstream America? In a concise essay, synthesize five of the following texts into a "snapshot" of contemporary America's view of atheists:
- “‘Education, Not Indoctrination’: Atheists Protest Texas Homeschool Convention as Promised” (Christian News Network)
- “10.5 Tips When Coming Out to Family or Friends as an Atheist” (We Are Atheism)
- “Atheist Group Sets Up Chicago Display Protesting Christmas Scene and Celebrating Bill of Rights” (The Raw Story)
- “Bill O'Reilly Debates Atheist Over Obama Swearing in on Bible at Inauguration, Jan 18, 2013” (Fox News)
- “CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tells Atheist Tornado Survivor: ‘You Gotta Thank the Lord’” (The Raw Story)
- “Diana Nyad, Atheist, Teaches Oprah a Thing or Two about Belief, Awe, and Wonder” (Huffington Post)
- “Five Facts about Atheism” (Pew Research Center)
- “How to Talk to an Atheist about Christianity” (Crisis Magazine)
- “Religion in America’s States and Counties, in 6 Maps” (Washington Post)
- “The Genesis of Alabama’s Only High School ‘Freethinkers Club’” (Southern Education Desk)
- “eBay Kills Eve Brannon's ‘Take an Atheist Leader to Church’ Ad Again and Again” (Huffington Post)
- "Religion Does No Harm" from Bill Maher: But I’m Not Wrong (HBO)
All texts are located in the eR.
Requirements:
- Three pages minimum
- Cite a minimum of five of the above texts
- MLA Style
- Parenthetical citation
- Works cited page
The best papers will:
- Stay within the parameters of the prompt, focusing exclusively on the current American perceptions of atheism
- Have a concise thesis
- Find "common threads" amongst a diverse group of texts and combine them to create a "snapshot" of America's view of atheists
- Cite a minimum of five of the above texts
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
- Conclude with a summation of your points
- Be in MLA Style
Due:
Sec 16—03.05.14 (Final draft)
Sec 80—03.03.14 (Draft 1); 03.10.14 (Final draft)
Monday, February 24, 2014
Spiritual News 02.24.14
- Arizona considering passage of "religious freedom" bill which would allow businesses to refuse service to homosexuals (Fox News)
- Star Trek's George Takei pens scathing letter to Arizona legislators (E!)
- NFL prospect leaves scouting combine, claiming God told him to do so (Los Angeles Times)
- Study: Latinos and Blacks more likely to be anti-Semitic than Whites and Asians (Washington Post)
- Hindu fundamentalism on the rise (USA Today)
- British Muslims turn inward as hate crimes rise (New York Times)
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Week 05: Mo 24/We 26
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| Ancient Greek Mythology (orgin. c. 1000 BCE, Greece) |
Section 16:
Week 05: Mo 24/We 26
Readings: eR—“‘Education, Not Indoctrination’: Atheists Protest Texas Homeschool Convention as Promised” (Christian News Network), “10.5 Tips When Coming Out to Family or Friends as an Atheist” (We Are Atheism), “Atheist Group Sets Up Chicago Display Protesting Christmas Scene and Celebrating Bill of Rights” (The Raw Story), “Bill O'Reilly Debates Atheist Over Obama Swearing in on Bible at Inauguration, Jan 18, 2013” (Fox News), “CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tells Atheist Tornado Survivor: ‘You Gotta Thank the Lord’” (The Raw Story), “Diana Nyad, Atheist, Teaches Oprah a Thing or Two about Belief, Awe, and Wonder” (Huffington Post), “Five Facts about Atheism” (Pew Research Center), “How to Talk to an Atheist about Christianity” (Crisis Magazine), “Religion in America’s States and Counties, in 6 Maps” (Washington Post), “The Genesis of Alabama’s Only High School ‘Freethinkers Club’” (Southern Education Desk), “eBay Kills Eve Brannon's ‘Take an Atheist Leader to Church’ Ad Again and Again” (Huffington Post)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Watch—“Lisa the Skeptic” from The Simpsons (FOX); Lecture—“Twelve Essential Grammar Rules to Know”
Due: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES
All assignments, including in-class essays, are due or take place on Wednesdays.
Sec: 80:
Week 05: Mo 24
Readings: eR—“‘Education, Not Indoctrination’: Atheists Protest Texas Homeschool Convention as Promised” (Christian News Network), “10.5 Tips When Coming Out to Family or Friends as an Atheist” (We Are Atheism), “Atheist Group Sets Up Chicago Display Protesting Christmas Scene and Celebrating Bill of Rights” (The Raw Story), “Bill O'Reilly Debates Atheist Over Obama Swearing in on Bible at Inauguration, Jan 18, 2013” (Fox News), “CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tells Atheist Tornado Survivor: ‘You Gotta Thank the Lord’” (The Raw Story), “Diana Nyad, Atheist, Teaches Oprah a Thing or Two about Belief, Awe, and Wonder” (Huffington Post), “Five Facts about Atheism” (Pew Research Center), “How to Talk to an Atheist about Christianity” (Crisis Magazine), “Religion in America’s States and Counties, in 6 Maps” (Washington Post), “The Genesis of Alabama’s Only High School ‘Freethinkers Club’” (Southern Education Desk), “eBay Kills Eve Brannon's ‘Take an Atheist Leader to Church’ Ad Again and Again” (Huffington Post)
Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Watch—“Lisa the Skeptic” from The Simpsons (FOX); Lecture—“Twelve Essential Grammar Rules to Know”
Upcoming:
Sec. 16:
Week 06: Mo 03/We 05
Readings: eR—“Texas Public Schools are Teaching Creationism” (Slate), “The Growing Partisan Divide on Evolution” (Moyers & Company), Creationism Versus Evolutionism: When Will this Debate Ever End?” (Huffington Post), “Public’s Views on Human Evolution” (Pew Research Center), “Creationists Cite ‘Academic Freedom’ to Teach Beliefs in Schools” (Al Jazeera America), “How Evolution Gets Used and Abused in the Science-Religion Debate”
Class: SYNTHESIS ESSAY; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“On Wordiness”
Due: PERSUASIVE
Sec 80:
Week 06: Mo 03
Readings: eR—“Texas Public Schools are Teaching Creationism” (Slate), “The Growing Partisan Divide on Evolution” (Moyers & Company), Creationism Versus Evolutionism: When Will this Debate Ever End?” (Huffington Post), “Public’s Views on Human Evolution” (Pew Research Center), “Creationists Cite ‘Academic Freedom’ to Teach Beliefs in Schools” (Al Jazeera America), “How Evolution Gets Used and Abused in the Science-Religion Debate”
Class: SYNTHESIS ESSAY; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“On Wordiness”
Due: PERSUASIVE
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Research Paper: Faith and Faithlessness in Contemporary Television
Often, much of what we know about a faith comes via the media. In fact, it is often television series give us our first glimpse of a particular belief system with representations varying from accurate and objective to stereotypical and biased, even offensive. But as television characters are often the first times Americans see someone of another or no faith, these depictions are crucial for establishing defining characteristics. For your research paper, you will examine the representation of faith (or lack of faith) in an American television series from the last 25 years. The goals are to illustrate the ways in which a specific belief system is portrayed and to analyze that portrayal's impact on the general perception of those beliefs.
Requirements:
- Minimum 10 pages in length
- MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
- Minimum of 6 outside sources—at least 3 from peer-reviewed academic texts—listed in a separate Works Cited page
- Examine at least 4 relevant episodes of a major American television series (see list below)
Include in your research paper:
- A clear thesis, arguing how this particular faith (or lack of faith) is portrayed in a specific television program
- An analysis of:
- The program's representation of one belief system—via specific characters, plot lines, themes, etc.
- The media's historical representation of this particular belief system
- A contrasting view of this belief system via a secondary source
- At least one secondary television program (no more than two episodes) to compare and contrasted with your primary source
- A conclusion that illustrates an understanding of this intersection of faith and media
The primary focus of your paper should be on one of the following television shows; your secondary source may also come from this list:
- 30 Rock (NBC)
- American Horror Story (FX)
- Battlestar Galactica (2004 remake; Syfy)
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
- Big Love (HBO)
- Blue Bloods (CBS)
- Bones (FOX)
- The Borgias (Showtime)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (The WB/UPN)
- Caprica (Syfy)
- Carnivale (HBO)
- Charmed (The WB)
- Community (NBC)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
- Dexter (Showtime)
- Downtown Abbey (PBS)
- Family Guy (FOX)
- Friends (NBC)
- Game of Thrones (HBO)
- Gilmore Girls (The WB)
- Glee (FOX)
- The Good Wife (CBS)
- Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
- House (FOX)
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)
- Joan of Arcadia (CBS)
- Justified (FX)
- King of the Hill (FOX)
- Lost (ABC)
- Mad Men (AMC)
- The Middle (ABC)
- Modern Family (ABC)
- The O.C. (Fox)
- Oz (HBO)
- The Office (NBC)
- Rome (HBO)
- Scrubs (NBC/ABC)
- Seventh Heaven (The WB)
- Sherlock (PBS)
- The Simpsons (FOX)
- Seinfeld (NBC)
- Sex and the City (HBO)
- Six Feet Under (HBO)
- The Sopranos (HBO)
- South Park (Comedy Central)
- Supernatural (The CW)
- That 70's Show (FOX)
- Touched By an Angel (CBS)
- True Blood (HBO)
- True Detective (HBO)
- The Tudors (Showtime)
- The Vampire Diaries (The CW)
- The Walking Dead (AMC)
- The Wire (HBO)
- The X-Files (FOX)
Sections 16 & 80—
Week 12: Mo 04.21/We 04.23
RESEARCH PAPER THESIS (BRING TWO COPIES)
Week 13: Mo 0421/We 0423
DRAFT 1 (UP TO PAGE 4; BRING TWO COPIES)
Week 14: Mo 04.28/We 04.30
DRAFT 2 (UP TO PAGE 8; BRING ONE COPY)
Week 15: Mo 05.05/We 05.07
FINAL DRAFT
Monday, February 17, 2014
Spiritual News 02.17.14
- Evangelical civil war erupts over the Creationism vs. Evolution debate (Mother Jones)
- Snake-handling pastor dies after bite (WBIR)
- Why Americans have always needed Satan (Slate)
- New study says religious people more likely to feel they have a porn addiction (Huffington Post)
- Mormons, Lutherans, Catholics, and Baptists unite to defend Utah's same sex marriage ban (Christian Science Monitor)
- North Carolina 15-year-old seeking to start an atheist club is allegedly told by school officials that the club would "not be a good fit" (New York Daily News)
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Week 04
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| Islam (orig. 570, Saudi Arabia) |
Week 04: Mo 17/We 19
Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA); Lecture—“Essay Outlines 101”
Due: REFLECTION 02
All assignments, including in-class essays, are due or take place on Wednesdays.
Section 80:
Week 04: Mo 17
Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Guest speaker (TBA); Lecture—“Essay Outlines 101”
Due: REFLECTION 02
Upcoming:
Section 16:
Week 05: Mo 24/We 26
Readings: eR—“‘Education, Not Indoctrination’: Atheists Protest Texas Homeschool Convention as Promised” (Christian News Network), “10.5 Tips When Coming Out to Family or Friends as an Atheist” (We Are Atheism), “Atheist Group Sets Up Chicago Display Protesting Christmas Scene and Celebrating Bill of Rights” (The Raw Story), “Bill O'Reilly Debates Atheist Over Obama Swearing in on Bible at Inauguration, Jan 18, 2013” (Fox News), “CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tells Atheist Tornado Survivor: ‘You Gotta Thank the Lord’” (The Raw Story), “Diana Nyad, Atheist, Teaches Oprah a Thing or Two about Belief, Awe, and Wonder” (Huffington Post), “Five Facts about Atheism” (Pew Research Center), “How to Talk to an Atheist about Christianity” (Crisis Magazine), “Religion in America’s States and Counties, in 6 Maps” (Washington Post), “The Genesis of Alabama’s Only High School ‘Freethinkers Club’” (Southern Education Desk), “eBay Kills Eve Brannon's ‘Take an Atheist Leader to Church’ Ad Again and Again” (Huffington Post)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Watch—“Lisa the Skeptic” from The Simpsons (FOX); Lecture—“Twelve Essential Grammar Rules to Know”
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
All assignments, including in-class essays, are due or take place on Wednesdays.
Sec. 80:
Readings: eR—“‘Education, Not Indoctrination’: Atheists Protest Texas Homeschool Convention as Promised” (Christian News Network), “10.5 Tips When Coming Out to Family or Friends as an Atheist” (We Are Atheism), “Atheist Group Sets Up Chicago Display Protesting Christmas Scene and Celebrating Bill of Rights” (The Raw Story), “Bill O'Reilly Debates Atheist Over Obama Swearing in on Bible at Inauguration, Jan 18, 2013” (Fox News), “CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tells Atheist Tornado Survivor: ‘You Gotta Thank the Lord’” (The Raw Story), “Diana Nyad, Atheist, Teaches Oprah a Thing or Two about Belief, Awe, and Wonder” (Huffington Post), “Five Facts about Atheism” (Pew Research Center), “How to Talk to an Atheist about Christianity” (Crisis Magazine), “Religion in America’s States and Counties, in 6 Maps” (Washington Post), “The Genesis of Alabama’s Only High School ‘Freethinkers Club’” (Southern Education Desk), “eBay Kills Eve Brannon's ‘Take an Atheist Leader to Church’ Ad Again and Again” (Huffington Post)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Watch—“Lisa the Skeptic” from The Simpsons (FOX); Lecture—“Twelve Essential Grammar Rules to Know”
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
Monday, February 10, 2014
Spiritual News 02.10.14
- Who won Bill Nye and Ken Harris' "Evolution versus Creationism" debate? (Christian Science Monitor)
- Striking portraits of Americans who've converted to Islam (Huffington Post)
- Iran executes poet for "waging war on God" (Al Jazeera)
- Inside Virginia's White Tail Nudist Church (WPEC)
- Get a Skype exorcism for just $295 (Daily Beast)
- New radiocarbon dating evidence of camels directly contradicts biblical accounts (Fox News)
Reflection 02: Is Nothing Sacred?—The Cultural Appropriation of Religious Symbols
Cultural appropriation is the act of one culture "incorporating" aspects of another culture into its own. This differs from cultural exchanges in which American hip-hop and Bollywood-style dancing incorporate each other's moves, or Korean and Mexican cuisines integrate each other's ingredients. In cultural appropriation, a dominant group assimilates aspects of a foreign culture without regard to their original use or intent. In other words, parts of one culture might be absorbed into another in insensitive, even offensive, ways, often for their perceived exoticism or cool factor. This extends to the religious and spiritual practices of other cultures, as well. Thus, in America, we've seen hipsters embrace Dia de los Muertos, the popularization of sacred Maori symbols as tattoos, celebrities sporting Kabbalah string bracelets, and the labeling of a clean, Asian-influenced design as Zen-style. Each of these is misunderstood and, in turn, misapplied; and yet, each has seeped into American pop culture. How have you seen the religious or sacred iconography of other cultures absorbed into the American mainstream? And what of those instances when a particular culture is offended by the use of their religious imagery in the mainstream, such as No Doubt's 2012 Native American controversy. What is the line between simply borrowing, often sacred, cultural artifacts and misusing them? For example, can we truly understand the traditions of Ojibwa dreamcatchers when they're worn as earrings, or respect Hindu principles when we do yoga with our dogs? Is it possible to appreciate another culture's artifacts in a respectful manner?
Include at least three of the following in your discussion:
- "A Much Needed Primer on Cultural Appropriation" (Jezebel)
- "Cultural Appropriation: Homage or Insult?" (Racialicious)
- "How to Follow an Eclectic Path, Minus the Cultural Appropriation" (In the Garden of Prosperpine)
- "Kanji Tattoos are Primarily for Western Eyes” (Japan Times)
- "On Hipsters/Hippies and Native Culture" (Bitch)
- "Día de los Muertos: Cultural Appropriation Meets Craft" (ONTD Feminism)
Requirements:
- Be in MLA Style
- Be two full pages in length
- Works cited page
Due: Sec. 80—02.17; Sec. 16—02.19
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