Objectives
Deeply held beliefs influence every aspect of life, even
when they are not clearly related to religion.
This course helps you to become more literate in a major theological
tradition (Christianity), and more aware of the ways that core beliefs play out
in everyday life. This paper asks you to
examine beliefs about the human person found in an everyday item of your
choice, and to discern how those beliefs are similar to, or different from, the
beliefs studied in this course. This
paper focuses on identifying beliefs when they are expressed in non-theological
language, and comparing those expressions to Christian theological tradition as
studied in this course, noting similarities and differences.
Directions
Write a 4-5 page paper (1000-1250 words) analyzing the
anthropology implicit in a text of your choice from contemporary culture, and
comparing that anthropology with Christian views studied in this course. Possibilities for a text include (but are not
limited to):
· Music or music videos
· Comics, video games, movies, TV shows
· Social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any format
that allows a user to develop their views in public (such as in a series of
tweets or posts)
· News items or editorials about contemporary events, e.g.,
#MeToo, deportation of undocumented immigrants, Black Lives Matter, etc.
· Articles on new technologies in society and how they
affect us
· Advertisements (TV, radio, internet)
· Articles on genetic engineering, euthanasia,
physician-assisted suicide, or other life issues
· Marketing strategies from articles in business textbooks
or journals
· Items from self-help literature
· Paintings, sculpture, theater, dance
Because you will compare and contrast the text with
Christian views (see below), look for texts that are not from an obviously
Christian point of view. Look also for
texts that will give you a lot to work with.
If you are not sure if your choice is appropriate, please run it past me
soon.
What does “anthropology” mean? In this context, it means the view of human
beings found in the text. “Implicit”
indicates that the text most likely will not come right out and say “Here’s how
we view the human person…” You will have to look beneath the surface of the
text.
Analyze how the text views the following questions of
anthropology:
· What is the origin of the human person? Do we invent ourselves?
· Is the person essentially an individual or essentially
related to others? How are strangers or
enemies regarded?
· What are human limits (e.g., the fact that we die or can’t
do some things)? Are such limits
positive or negative?
· Are all humans equal?
· Are humans free, or do larger forces determine our fate?
· Are humans by nature good or bad? Does the text lean toward a more
positive/upbeat or more negative/pessimistic view of human nature?
· What is the purpose of human life – why are we here?
Not every text will address every one of these questions, but
try to find a text that will be relevant to several of them. Choose TWO of these questions, briefly
compare and contrast Christian anthropology with the anthropology of your
chosen item. Use Genesis, Aquinas,
Himes, “Testament of a Murdered Monk,” Tanner and the ICT textbook to support
your analysis. Be sure to cite your
sources accurately.
How will you be graded? Check out the rubric here
Suggestions and Guidelines for writing papers in THEO 200
· Decide what your main point or insight is (thesis). Once you know this, you can organize the
evidence and arguments that lead to your conclusion.
· As you look more closely at your chosen text and the
course readings, you may decide to revise your thesis.
· Write your introduction and conclusion last.
· It is better to summarize a point from the readings than
to quote extensively. Keep quotes
short. If quotes are over 40 words, they
should be in the form of a block quotation: separate paragraph, single spaced,
slightly indented.
· Whether you paraphrase or quote a source, cite the author
and page number. For Thomas Aquinas,
cite the part of the article you are using like this: (Aquinas, I. 83.1, obj.
1), or (Aquinas I. 83.1, answer), or (Aquinas, I. 83.1, reply 3). For Genesis, cite chapter and verse like
this: (Gen 1:28).
Use simple but standard English. No slang or unnecessarily complicated
language.
