REL 2300 – Introduction to World Religions

Assignment 2: Site Visit Report and Comparative Reflection

Assessment Overview

Many REL courses on world religions ask students to move beyond textbooks and observe how people actually practice their traditions in local settings. Assignment 2 invites you to visit a religious community outside your own tradition, describe what you observe in a clear and respectful way, and reflect on how the visit relates to themes from class. The task supports the course goal of developing careful, critical, and empathetic thinking about religious diversity in contemporary society.

• Course code/title: REL 2300 – Introduction to World Religions

• Assessment label: Assignment 2 – Site Visit Report and Comparative Reflection

• Type: Individual written report

• Length: 1,200–1,500 words (excluding title page and references)

• Format: Word document (.docx), double spaced, 12 pt font, standard margins

• Weighting: 20% of final grade

• Submission: Upload to the LMS (Assignments area) as a single file

• Citation style: MLA, APA, or Chicago, as specified in your section syllabus

Learning Outcomes

• Observe and describe religious practice in a real community using clear, concrete detail.

• Relate field observations to course concepts such as ritual, symbol, sacred space, and authority.

• Compare aspects of the visited tradition with at least one other tradition studied in class.

• Reflect critically on personal assumptions and responses to religious difference.

Task Instructions

Step 1: Choose a Community to Visit

1. Select a religious community or place of worship that represents a tradition different from your own primary background. Examples may include a mosque, Hindu temple, Buddhist center, Jewish synagogue, Sikh gurdwara, or another community approved by your instructor.

2. Check the community’s website or contact a leader to confirm public service times and any visitor guidelines. Dress and behave in ways that show respect for local expectations.

3. If public health or safety guidelines restrict in person visits, follow the alternative instructions in your LMS, which may include observing a live streamed service and interviewing a practitioner online.

Step 2: Attend and Take Field Notes

1. Arrive early enough to notice the building, signage, and any visible symbols or artwork.

2. During the service or gathering, record brief notes on:

   • Physical setting and layout of the space

   • Ritual actions, gestures, and movement

   • Use of music, spoken word, silence, or technology

   • Who leads, who participates, and how roles such as gender and age appear

   • How participants relate to visitors and to each other

3. Avoid intrusive note taking or photography unless you have explicit permission from leaders.

Step 3: Write the Site Visit Report (1,200–1,500 words)

Organise your report with clear headings. A suggested structure appears below.

1. Introduction (approximately 150–200 words)

• State the name, location, and religious tradition of the community you visited.

• Indicate the type of gathering you attended and the date.

• Briefly note your own background so the reader understands your starting point.

2. Descriptive Observation (approximately 400–500 words)

• Describe the physical space, including symbols, images, furniture, and layout.

• Outline the flow of the gathering from beginning to end, including key rituals, music, readings, and leadership roles.

• Explain how participants engaged with each part of the gathering without evaluating.

3. Connection to Course Concepts (approximately 350–450 words)

• Relate your observations to at least two course concepts such as ritual, sacred space, or authority.

• Support your discussion with at least two assigned readings or lectures.

• Include in text citations for each source and list them in your reference section.

4. Comparative Reflection (approximately 200–250 words)

• Compare one aspect of the visited community with a similar practice or theme in another tradition studied in class.

• Comment on similarities and differences and explain what this reveals about how religions address shared human questions.

5. Personal and Ethical Reflection (approximately 150–200 words)

• Reflect on how the visit affected your assumptions or feelings about the tradition observed.

• Describe moments of surprise, discomfort, or recognition and your response.

• Consider how this experience may shape your future engagement with religious diversity.

Formatting and Sources

• Include a title page with your name, course code, instructor, date, and word count.

• Use 1.5 or double spacing and a standard font such as Times New Roman or Calibri, 12 pt.

• Cite at least four sources:

  • At least two course readings or lectures

  • Optional additional scholarly sources

• Follow your instructor’s required citation style consistently.

Marking Rubric (Assignment 2 – 100 points)

Additional Academic Insight

Fieldwork in the study of religion provides an essential method for understanding how beliefs are embodied in everyday practices, since observing rituals and community interactions allows students to connect abstract concepts with lived experience. This approach strengthens critical thinking by encouraging careful description before evaluation and by situating personal responses within broader analytical frameworks that are informed by scholarship on lived religion (McGuire, 2008).

Learning Materials/ References

• Brodd, J., Littleton, C. S., Noss, D. S., & McDonough, S. (2020). World religions: A voyage of discovery (4th ed.). Saint Mary’s Press.

• Flood, G. (2019). The importance of religion: Meaning and action in our strange world. Wiley Blackwell.

• McGuire, M. B. (2008). Lived religion: Faith and practice in everyday life. Oxford University Press.

• University of Florida. (n.d.). REL 2300: Introduction to World Religions syllabus.

• Orsi, R. A. (2016). History and presence. Harvard University Press.