PHIL 2170 World Religions
Essay Prompts for Module 7: Daoism
Choose one of the prompts below to answer with an essay of 1-2 pages. See further instructions below the prompts.
In paraphrasing the Daodejing, the author writes, “Humans acted inhumanely, out of balance with their own natures and out of alignment with the patterns and rhythms of the natural world.” How would a Daoist practitioner explain this statement to someone who is just learning about Daoism? What does it mean to be “out of balance” with your “own nature”? If humans are not acting “humanely,” what does it mean to be human, according to Daoism?
What does the author mean when he says, “When it comes to religion, the Chinese have long been polyamorous”? Why is it common for Chinese people to maintain relationships with multiple religious traditions? Why would this arrangement be much rarer in Western traditions?
How does Daoism’s deep suspicion of civilization and its products affect its social organization and religious practice? Is there a contradiction in the idea of a “socially engaged Daoist”?
Do the moral codes outlined in the Nine Practices and Twenty-Seven Precepts of the Celestial Masters represent a radical transformation of earlier Daoist ideas rejecting the trappings of civilization? Or are they an extension of earlier Daoist ideas? Why?
Daoists utilize a plethora of methods to “return to the Dao,” including external alchemy, meditation, physical exercises, internal alchemy, exorcistic rituals, and talismans. With so many different techniques, does anything unite Daoism as a tradition? If so, what?
Some have suggested that contemporary environmental problems are at least partly to blame on religious world views that prioritize the transcendent and immaterial realities over the immanent and physical realities. What is the role of nature in Daoism? Is Daoism deserving of a reputation as a “green religion”? Why or why not?
**Please include the essay prompt at the beginning of your essay (but do not include it in the word count)
General Instructions:
Students must write four essays during the course, addressing four distinct religions. This is the final essay assigned for the term. If you have written fewer than four, you must write this essay. The essays should be a minimum of one-page but should not exceed two-pages (double-spaced, so probably somewhere around 500 words, give or take). Students should reference the assigned readings and demonstrate an understanding of the material, citing the course materials explicitly and frequently (as we do in our discussions/case studies). You should include a title and a word count on the bottom of your essay. The essay should answer the given prompt, demonstrating critical and individual thinking and reflection upon the topic. Think of the questions as if your friend or family member were asking you to explain to them something from the course in terms they can understand without being in the course. Successful essays will critically interact with the ideas from the readings, but will not rely too much on lengthy quotes (put the ideas in your own words, while still citing).
When you reference the readings informally in the body of the essay you can cite like this: (e.g. “author, page”). You are not expected to do outside research. If you do use sources outside of our course materials, however, you should include formal citations (MLA or APA style) at the end of your essay (e.g. include author, title, publisher, date of publication, and the location, URL, journal, volume, issue, etc. if relevant).
Citations are appropriate whenever you take an idea from a source—an idea that does not originate in your own head. The most well-known instance where a citation is needed is for direct quotes. Quotation marks are required if you use three or more successive words from a source. But you will also need to cite the text if you put the author’s idea into your own words by paraphrasing or summarizing the idea. Make sure not to use three successive words! This is preferred since it better shows understanding—you’re able to talk about it using your own words. Citations not only gives credit to the author for the idea, it also credits you for doing the work! No works cited/bibliography is required unless you use resources from outside of class materials.
Essays are due a week after the module closes so you have time. For example, if you choose to submit an essay on Module 7: Daoism, you’ll submit it one week after the module closes. Essays are due before 11:59 pm on the due date. Consult the course syllabus for official due dates. Points will be deducted for late submissions (see policy below). Each of the four essays is worth 5% (50 points) of the final grade. Students who write in excess of four essays will have the lowest score(s) dropped.
When I grade your essay, I’ll use the following rubric:
Thesis
Is the thesis, or answer to the prompt, clearly and succinctly stated in the opening paragraph with the reasons that support it demonstrated as well?
Excellent
Superb
Good
Needs improvement
Inadequate or missing
Clarity
Are the concepts and key terms clearly defined, with the writing clearly communicating ideas in a plain and accessible manner?
Excellent
Very clearly argued, incredibly clear and accessible language, all key concepts defined impeccably
Superb
Clearly stated case, clear and accessible language with all key terms defined well and appropriately
Good
Language is clear but could use minor clarification or be more accessible in presentation and language
Needs Improvement
Mostly clear, but needs clarification at a few points and to use more accessible language, some key terms may not be fully or accurately defined, some may need definition
Inadequate
Very unclear, requires some revision to make the ideas plain and accessible and leaves many important terms undefined or defined inaccurately
Engagement with Course Content
Is the essay supported by the assigned and relevant readings/course materials with frequent citations to them?
Excellent
Solid and relevant support, everything is properly cited
Superb
Very solid support, but may need slightly more support or some minor improvement on citations
Good
Very good support, but may require slightly more support, might overlook or under appreciate relevant course content, or improvements on citations
Needs Improvement
Good support, but could use more support, overlooks relevant course content, may contain minor misunderstandings, or needs substantial improvements on citations
Inadequate
Significant misunderstanding of the course material or applies them inappropriately
Critical Thinking
Does the essay demonstrate insightful evaluation of ideas, showing independent thought, and compelling or persuasive arguments?
Excellent
Very well-argued and reasoned, exceptionally high quality reasoning by offering insightful evaluation of ideas, showing critical understanding of course content, and reasons are presented very persuasively and compellingly
Superb
Offers insightful evaluation of ideas, shows critical understanding of course content, and is persuasive and compelling.
Good
Offers some insightful evaluation of ideas, shows satisfactory understanding of course content, but the reasons may not be as persuasive or compelling.
Needs Improvement
The essay doesn’t offer much by way of insightful evaluation of ideas, shows some understanding of course content, but may not show enough independence in thinking, and is not very persuasive or compelling.
Inadequate
The essay does not engage with insightful evaluation of ideas, shows more misunderstanding than understanding of course content, does not show enough independence in thinking, and is not very persuasive or compelling.
Uniqueness and Creativity
Is the essay supported by the author’s own original and creative reasons? Does the essay make important and novel connections between ideas?
Excellent
The author’s reasons demonstrating a high level of creative and original thought, making important and novel connections between ideas (inter- and intra-religious)
Superb
The author’s reasons demonstrating above average creative and original thought, making important and novel connections between ideas (inter- and intra-religious)
Good
The author’s reasons show some creative and original thought, attempting to make important and novel connections between ideas (inter- and intra-religious), but may need more originality, uniqueness, or creativity
Needs Improvement
The author attempts to make important and novel connections between ideas (inter- and intra-religious), but some may be misguided or miss the point
Inadequate
The author’s reasons fail to show creative and original thought, and either weakly attempt, or do not attempt at all, to make important and novel connections between ideas (inter- and intra-religious)
Title and word count
Don’t miss these points–include a title and word count
Full Marks
Includes both a descriptive title and word count.
You can do better!
Includes a title, but one that is not descriptive (e.g. “Hinduism Essay”) and word count
Missing One
Missing either a title or word count, but not both
Missing Both
No title or word count (don’t miss these points!)
Technical Writing Competency
Does the essay include college level writing? Is it free of typos, spelling and grammatical errors? Are all citations properly documented?
Excellent
Superb
Good
Needs Improvement
Inadequate
If you have questions, please ask! I’m here to help.
The post PHIL 2170 World Religions Essay Prompts for Module 7: Daoism Choose one appeared first on PapersSpot.