SECOND WRITING ASSIGNMENT
The second assignment presents four options for your learning pleasure.
DIRECTIONS:
·
The essay should be four to six typed, double-spaced pages,
[between 1000 and 1500 words] with an
underlined thesis statement
in
the first paragraph. Also use a
title page (with your name and the title of your essay) and
attach a brief bibliography of pertinent materials you consulted. This is
an essay rather than a research paper, but your comparison must be based
on materials you find in the course readings and elsewhere. For advice on
writing, consult the Guide
to Writing at the course web site.
·
You will find a Caucus item for this assignment where you can raise
questions and try out ideas as you work. As
always, I’ll be delighted to help by email or office visits.
·
The essay is due on or before the last class, Tuesday 15 May.
OPTION 1: Select one chapter from amongst
Pelikan’s chapters 4 through 18. Each chapter presents an image of
Christ that dominated an era. Write an essay on what this chapter suggest
about how faith in Christ has affected world history and how historical
circumstances has affected faith in Christ. Be sure to relate the image to
one of more syllabus topics and to other syllabus reading materials. Be
sure that some of the materials you draw on are primary sources from Documents
of the Christian Church and /or from the Internet.
OPTION 2: In Part II of Documents of the
Christian Church, Sections XIII to XVII deal with 20th
century issues. Choose one of those sections and write an essay on a
significant issue using some of the pertinent documents.
Be sure to use the documents critically, putting them into
historical context, relating them to other course reading such as
Chadwick, Noll or Pelikan.
OPTION 3,
Christianity Today: Choose a news item and write an essay putting it
into historical perspective. Relate it to topics, issues, or broader
trends in Christian history and draw on course readings for context. Be
sure to discuss pertinent course readings and sources.
OPTION 4, Communities and People of Christian
Faith: Write an essay on a Christian community (like a local church
you may know or attend) or a person of faith. If the focus is on an
individual, interview the person about his/her faith story and
understanding of Christianity. In your essay, describe the subject, the
historical background and the way this experience relates to some issues
in the larger Christian tradition. Be sure to use course readings and
materials in your essay, showing how your subject is an example of some
aspect of Christian history.
Contact me in office hours or by E-mail for advice on any aspect of this assignment.
