Extra credit for R 201 may be earned as a result of
Documented participation in Field Trip with at least one journal entry
about the experience;
Incorporation of first hand or field research in the Research Project (Term
Paper Option I). (Fieldwork often lends itself to teamwork, where
it is sometimes less intimidating and two persons can often pick up much
more than one person can);
Having a thoughtful, knowledgeable representative (of the tradition which
your Research Project is about) read a draft of your paper and give you
constructive critical feedback by means of which you will be enabled to
make necessary corrections to pass the Test of Empathy [Note: This must
be documented by way of a special acknowledgment at the end of your paper
of the person's assistance, giving name, status the person has in the tradition
in question, nature of the assistance given, how agreeable (or not) the
person was with the draft she or he read, and what changes you made in
it as a result.];
Conducting first hand or field research (see below) on some expression
of one of the traditions we are studying in the course and writing up a
3-5 page, typed, double-space report due not later than Fri., Mar 14;
Arranging for, conducting, and reporting in some detail an intensive
inter-religious dialogue between members of different religious traditions
(e.g. students) in accordance with the principles of empathetically objective
understandings. The report should be turned in not later than Fri.,
Mar 14;
If other opportunities arise to do extra-credit activities, they will be
announced in class; or
If on an individual basis you come up with an idea for an extra-credit
activity relating to one of the traditions being studied, you are encouraged
to propose it to me for consideration.
First-hand or field research may consist of an in-depth interview with
a member or participant in one of the traditions we are studying, on-site
observation and investigation, etc. It should be done with care and reflective
preparation for what to ask, what to notice, and what to take notes about.
Helpful guidance is given in section three (and the appendix) of Writing
and Research in Religious Studies, by Donald E. Miller and Barry Jay
Seltser, on library reserve. Documentation for the short report (including
such things as interviews and on-site observation) should follow MLA
format, not the format given in Miller and Seltser's book.
Completing any one of these activities as stated with a serious attempt
to empathetically understand the tradition(s) in question (and, in the
latter two activities, to faithfully convey that empathetic understanding)
will raise your grade for any one of the examinations or for your paper
1 grade point) -- or more precisely, 1//3 gradepoint of the entire course
grade.
