Relating the book with the larger context of religious studies

I will upload the book, along with a few notes that relate to specific topics in the class.

Please use whatever information from the presentation that you find to be most useful for the prompt

I appreciate your help

Directions:
Read your book and think about the ways that it relates to the lectures, discussions, Powerpoints, and readings that are a part of our class this semester. How does your book reflect a particular kind of popular view of religion?

Write a thoughtful paper that includes, at a minimum, the following:
Thesis: A strong thesis, based in a close and careful reading of your book. In forming a thesis, consider your book’s treatment of religion, its intended audience, authorial and publisher agenda, issues related to popularization, or anything else thoughtful and relevant. Be sure to focus on your own book.

Examples: Provide significant discussions of two or three good examples in support of your thesis. Be detailed, specific, thoughtful, and substantive. It’s better to go deep than to make general or sweeping statements.

Conclusions: Reach some kind of conclusion. Don’t just end the paper with a recap of your intro paragraph. What have you learned from doing this assignment? What’s significant here? Answer the implied question, “So what?”

Mechanics and sourcing: Be careful in your use of evidence, and be sure to cite your sources at all times (in-text references with page numbers are fine for your own book; use full citation information for other sources). Be sure to proofread, edit, and revise your paper. Use proper grammar and style. Pay attention to details. You can lose up to a letter grade for mechanics.

An A paper:
A thoughtful, well-written paper, with no typos or stylistic errors.

A strong argument or thesis that shapes the paper but does not limit its range.

An implied or explicit engagement with the differences between popular and academic treatments of religion.

Specific and richly-detailed examples that support the thesis.

Insightful conclusions that don’t merely restate the introduction.

Deep understanding of the big picture, including analysis, interpretation, and insights.