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Comparing and Contrasting the Common Elements of Religions

ASSIGNMENT: For this Touchstone, you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of religions so far by comparing and contrasting two of the world’s religions.In a 400-600 word short essay, you will compare and contrast one “eastern” religion and one “western” religion discussed so far in this course. Using specific examples from the lessons in Unit 1 and Unit 2 to support your conclusions, you will analyze some of the ways in which these religions are both similar and different.

A. Assignment Guidelines

DIRECTIONS: Select one “eastern” religion and one “western” religion discussed so far in this course. Review the lessons in Unit 1 and Unit 2 as you consider how these religions are both similar and different.

Your short essay should include four parts:

  • Briefly introduce the two religions you have selected to compare and contrast.
  • Identify and explain at least two commonalities between these two religions, using specific examples from the lessons.
  • Identify and explain at least two differences between these two religions, using specific examples from the lessons.
  • Briefly summarize & conclude your short essay. In your conclusion, explain what we can learn about religions in general by noticing both their similarities and differences.

As you develop your response, you should compare or contrast at least one example from each of the following elements of religion:

  • Historical & geographic origins
  • Core beliefs & doctrines
  • Core rituals & practices
  • Important texts & narratives

Your examples should be specific, and should cite the lesson from which your information comes, using in-text citations. Citations should use this style: (Monotheism, n.d.) or (Primal Religions, n.d.).

Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

❒ Have you selected one “eastern” religion and one “western religion” discussed so far in this course?

❒ Have you briefly introduced the two religions you selected?

❒ Have you identified and explained at least two commonalities between these religions?

❒ Have you identified and explained at least two differences between these religions?

❒ Have you included at least one example from each of the given elements of religion: historical & geographic origins; core beliefs & doctrines; core rituals & practices; and important texts & narratives?

❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?

❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?

❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?

Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions

ASSIGNMENT: In this unit, you learned some of the reasons for studying religion. You also learned that religion is universally recognizable, yet difficult to define. A narrow definition of religion that ties it to a belief in and worship of a higher, supernatural power, can exclude religions like Buddhism. On the other hand, definitions of religion that eliminate mention of the otherworldly or divine by equating it simply with “faith” or “belief” yield an understanding that is overly-broad.Due to the challenges of studying religion, various methodologies have arisen including: phenomenology, theology, historical approaches, comparison, philosophy, and sociology. This Touchstone gives you an opportunity to reflect on these major approaches to studying religion.In a 400-600 word short essay, you will explain the difficulties involved in defining religion. Then you will select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking, and explain its strengths and weaknesses.

A. Assignment Guidelines

DIRECTIONS: Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define. Review the lessons in Unit 1 as you consider your response. Then, select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and explain what you believe to be its strengths and weaknesses.Your short essay should include four parts:

  • Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define.
  • Select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and summarize the approach in your own words.
  • Explain a strength of this approach to studying religion.
  • Explain a weakness of this approach to studying religion.

The methods for studying religion discussed in Unit 1 include:

  • Phenomenology
  • Theology
  • Historical Approaches
  • Comparative Religion
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Sociology of Religion

As you develop your reflection, be sure to engage with the course material from Unit 1. You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the lesson and use the following format:

Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

❒ Have you explained two reasons why religion is difficult to define, in your own words?

❒ Have you selected a method for studying religion from Unit 1 and summarized the approach?

❒ Have you explained a strength and a weakness of this approach to studying religion?

❒ Does your short essay demonstrate engagement with the course material from Unit 1?

❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?

❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?

❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?

Case

Case Analysis:

As Advertising Manager for your company, you are responsible for making sure all ads produced for items on sale every week are accurate. This week, however, you noticed that some items were mislabeled with the wrong prices and that the ads are being distributed nationwide instead of the regularly targeted zones.

To correct the problem would require your company to recall the old ads, print new ads, and distribute them at a higher rate per piece. The overall cost, in the end, would be $125,000 over the budget. What would your decision be and how would you defend your actions to the CEO?

Submit your responses to the following case in a Word document. 

Please answer the question completely.