Phil B37: World Religions
Professor: McNellis
Take-home Judaism Essay
(Anticipate writing approximately 3/4th to 1 typed page – use size 12, Times New Roman font and use single-space)
This exam is DUEThursday evening, April 14, 2011in classat the beginning of our class period. Any exams turned in after the class begins will be subject to a half grade reduction. Expect a full grade reduction for every day not turned in after the due date. Overall, you may exceed 1 page in writing, but don’t go over 1 ½ pages. Think hard and do well!
This essay is not evaluating you on remote memorization. Instead, I’d rather like to think that this essay reflects a more comprehensive and consequential approach to assessment. Its attempt is to provide you with the following: 1) the opportunity to reflect on the material your learning in a meaningful and significant way; and 2) more time for you to construct a thoughtful, intelligent, and substantive response to the questions. My intention then is that you will actually remember more about what you have learned in the course than otherwise. If this exam fails to do that, please inform me.
Grades will be given using the following criteria:
A: Demonstrates superb knowledge of both lecture and reading. And shows talented and superb ability to put content in one’s own terms and relate material to other things.
B: Demonstrates strong knowledge of content from lecture and reading. And shows above average ability to put content in one’s own terms and relate to other similar contexts.
C: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of content from lecture and/or reading; or demonstrates strong knowledge from lecture alone (this is not to copy my lecture notes verbatim). And shows only minimum ability to put content in one’s own terms and relate content to other more familiar terms.
D: Demonstrates basic knowledge of content from lecture and/or reading. And does not show ability to put content in one’s own terms.
F: Fails to demonstrate any understanding of lecture and reading.
For this essay, you will be responsible to complete a well-written response to the following question, expecting that your answer will take you about ¾ to one whole of a page to complete. (Single-space)
What does the term “covenant” mean, and how could the history of the Jewish people be understood as an ongoing covenant between God and his people? Be sure to outline in specifics the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants and explain the type and meaning of the covenant established here. Be sure to explain at least four of the Ten Commandments in the context of ancient Judaism (not in modern day context!). Finally, outline briefly why David is such a significant figure in the history of Judaism.