The senior seminar provides an opportunity for the major
to explore in depth an issue of special interest in religious
studies. The thesis will be associated with one of the four departmental
areas, and will reflect careful consideration of relevant methodological
problems. The thesis will be written under the direction of
the seminar instructor, critiqued by seminar students, and defended
before three members of the department. Prerequisite: prior
to registration, there must be approval of a thesis proposal
by the seminar instructor.
office hours: M 9:00-10:00; W 9:00-10:00; F 1:30-2:20 AND by appointment
Required Texts:
-The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition (for sale in Bookmark)
-Readings will be handed out in class or made available on library's website
Course Requirements: The
student will complete the following requirements:
Preparation and completion of a thesis as described in course description above. Thesis should be about 40 pages long. If it is more than 60 pages long, student will need written permission from seminar instructor; if it is less than 35 pages long, the student will need a good reason.
Faithful attendance at scheduled classes.
Preparation of reading assignments for discussion as indicated
in syllabus. (We will institute written assignments related
to the readings if we discover seminar members are not prepared
to discuss them.)
Participation in the seminar discussions.
Presentations (posters, etc.) to seminar &/or public
as assigned.
Meeting all thesis-preparation deadlines.
Oral defense of thesis.
Because the senior thesis should be an in-depth study of a particular issue, students are required to use both primary and secondary sources in the thesis. Primary sources include materials such as the sacred texts of a religious tradition, works by a major theologian or historical figure (for example, Martin Luther, Elizabeth Johnson, Masao Abe, Hildegard of Bingen), or significant church documents (e.g., the ELCA's "Journey Together in Faith").
Acceptable secondary sources include books or essays by qualified scholars, and articles from scholarly journals, which engage in the study or interpretation of primary sources related to the thesis topic. Select these sources in consultation with your thesis advisor and the instructor for the senior seminar. Finding appropriate and useful resources takes time and effort; early discussions with your advisor and seminar instructor will help to ensure that your research will be adequate to sustain your writing efforts.
Also, while many excellent sources are available in our own library's shelves, or from its electronic subscription services, you should anticipate having to order materials from Inter-Library Loan. Again, advance preparation is needed to ensure that the resources are received in time. Uncritical or haphazard use of the Internet is strongly discouraged. As a general rule, avoid using any sources that cannot be independently verified and critically analyzed.
Anticipated Method of Evaluation:
Participation (includes keeping up with the schedule): 10%
Thesis paper: 70%
Oral defense of thesis: 20%
____
100%
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF TOPICS
AND READINGS
Section One: Opening
Feb. 6 (M) Course introduction
discuss 30 second ("Aunt Sally") thesis statement
discuss subject of your project, sketch out thesis
discuss the difference between hypothesis statement and thesis topic
look through CMS and bring to class
8 (W): Discussion of CMS and hypothesis statement
bring at least 5 bibliography items to class (must be typed and use CMS)
bring a hypothesis statement to class
Turn in a sign statement from your thesis adviser to confirm that you have found an adviser. If this signed statement is not turned in by Friday, February 10th, you may be dropped from the course.
10 (F): Discussion of hypothesis statement
Bring your revised hypothesis statement to class.
30 second "Aunt Sally" thesis summary due in class-- must be written, but you will give this orally. Your grade may suffer if you do not bring at least an attempt to class.
Bring your signed statement from your thesis adviser to confirm that you have found an adviser. If this signed statement is not turned in by Friday, February 10th, you may be dropped from the course.
Bring revised bibliography to class.
13 (M): Library day
Professor will be in Boston for a meeting, but you should work on your thesis.
The class will meet with a librarian for an introduction if this can be arranged.
15 (W): 1st shared reading (to be distributed)
17 (F):
20 (M):
22 (W): Discussion of hypothesis statement
bring enough copies of detailed thesis statement and detailed outline to class to share with member of class and instructor
bring 2-5 pages of your introduction to hand in to instructor
24 (F): Library Day
professor available for individual consultations but no class at 8AM today
27 (M): Essay discussion
read selected pages from Ludwig Feuerbach, "The Essense of Religion Considered Generally,"
01 (W): Writiing workshop day
bring a sample of writing from your thesis (2 pages typed) to class to discuss with classmates
bring CMS to class
bring your bibliography (typed and in CMS format) to class
03 (F): bring outline of poster and discussion
bring copies of your hypothesis statement outline to class
bring copies of your bibliography in correct style
bring an idea for your poster and hopefully and outline of the poster
06 (M): Outline of poster and discussion
-poster should desribe your project for others
-poster should be heavy on text and outline
08 (W): work day
10 (F): Essay discussion
-read selected pages from Donna Haraway, "Situated Knowledge,"
13 (M): Work day
15 (W): 1st chapter or section due (at least 10-12 pages)
-discussion of stylistic issues
-bring style questions to class
-bring Chicago Manual of Style to class
17 (F): individual meetings during class hour
20 (M): individual meetings during class hour
22 (W): 2nd chapter or section due (at least 10-12 pages)
-discussion of theses
-bring 4 copies of your thesis statement and a list of problems (if any) to class
24(F): work day
27 (M): no class (Spring Break)
29 (W): no class (Spring Break)
31 (F): no class (Spring Break)
April 03 (M): work day
05 (W): complete draft of thesis due
-the draft must be in "final" form with correct use of citations, etc
07 (F): individual meetings and work day
10 (M): individual meetings and work day
11 (Tu): Passover begins at sundown
12 (W): No class meeting
14 (F): no class (Easter Break)
17 (M): no class (Easter Break)
19 (W): final poster prep day: revise your comments and revise actual post
21 (F): class will meet; assignment to be announced
24 (M): Second complete draft of thesis due
26 (W): individual meetings during class hour or by appointment
28 (F): individual meetings during class hour or by appointment
01 (M): work day (Andy and Mary available for consultation)
02 (Tu): Final Thesis due Janine Genelin by 3:30PM (3 copies and PDF format by email or CD)
3 clean copies with the original printed on a high quality laser printer
make sure that the printer has enough toner
tardiness is unacceptable
03 (W), 05 (F), 08 (M): No class meeting
09 (Tu): from 6:00pm - 9:00pm "Public Presentation of your research with Posters"
This is an extra class meeting and required
both sections of REL 399 will meet in Linner Lounge (or another location to be announced); please be there by 5:40 to set up your poster
09-16 Oral defenses
17 (W): final wrapup and course evaluation (class will meet at 8:00AM)