The methods for assessing your progress also reflect the course objectives. Grading will be based on

1) one short essay (20% each)
2) a film review (3-5 pp.) dealing with one of the films shown in class, which is to be submitted within one week of the screening of the field (5%). A list of suggested films (some of which will be not be shown in class) is available here.
2) longer final research paper of 10-15 pp. (35%),
3) an intellectual journal (30%), and
4) class participation (10%). Informed and consistent participation in discussions, both in the recitation section and common meetings, also is very important.

The short essay encourages you to study one topic carefully and in its context, as you refine your ability to write clearly and argue persuasively. It will be designed to relate the  readings of the course to their religious contexts. All students are encouraged to write a thesis paragraph ahead of time and to discuss that with the course instructor. Many students have found that this improves the quality of their writing.

The longer research paper is an opportunity to engage more deeply with a particular topic. It should ideally use both primary source material and appropriate secondary and theoretical studies to focus more closely on a particular subject.

This assignment encourages you to keep up with the reading, enlivens class discussions (since more students will have read the assignment), and offers a forum to record your personal responses to the readings, thereby personalizing the course and, at the same time, sharpening your skills in thinking critically and writing fluidly. Journal entries can be typed or hand-written (if your penmanship is clear).
They should be approximately 250 words, or one typed double-spaced page. Please write them on three-hole paper or type them and use a hole punch.
When I return them to you (in 7 to 10 days), please collect them all. On the last day of class you will turn in the whole journal in a folder or binder.
The journal entries are due at the start of class on the day that the reading is assigned. No exceptions. These cannot be turned in late. There is no way to make up for lost work in this project. You will hand in entries to your recitation leader before class on Tuesdays and Thursdays (at our common sessions), and your recitation leader will return them at a later recitation meeting.
Each entry should quote or summarize one passage in one (or more) assigned text for that one day. It should record your honest reflections on the reading, and it should engage the ideas of the text in some direct and thoughtful way.
These entries will be graded as either acceptable (check) or unacceptable (minus). A check means that you handed it in on time and followed the instructions fully. I do not grade the journals for thesis or grammar, as I do other written work.
You control how well you do on this journal assignment, since your grade is determined by how many acceptable journal entries you submit (ones with a check, that is).
There are 30 class sessions in which you might turn in a journal entry (i.e., days with assigned reading).
There is only one mandatory journal entry, the last class session.Everyone must write at least one entry by the sixth class session.
Here is the scale:
A=14 entries (scattered over at least 10 weeks);
B=11 entries (scattered over at least 8 weeks);
C= 8 entries (scattered over at least 6 weeks);
D= 6 entries (scattered over at least 5 weeks);
F= 4 or fewer entries.