Research Paper on Religion in Various Disciplines

Tasks

Your major essay assignment is a research paper on the topic of religion stemming from one of the disciplines studied in class. Specific topics for each religion are found below. You are to choose one topic from one religion only. Any other topic you wish to write about outside of those assigned must be cleared by the professor.

A research paper is an essay that presents the results of a writer’s investigation of a topic in print, electronic, or multimedia formats. It uses an introduction, body, and conclusion to uniformly and consistently develop what it is you have chosen to discuss. A research paper is not simply a collection of what other people have said about a subject. It is your responsibility to shape and control the discussion, to make sure that what you include from your sources is interesting and relevant to your thesis, and to comment on its validity or significance. 

For example, a research essay topic can be:
• The Role of Women in Modern Islamic Traditions or Cultures.
• The Caste System of India is Still Relevant Today in Hinduism as it is in its Culture.
• The Negative Side of Organized Religion is its Continuation to Stereotype Other Religious Disciplines.
• The Role of the Gothic Cathedral in the Middle Ages Played a Pivotal Part in Redefining the Catholic Church.

The length of your essay is 1250 words, word processed, and double-spaced. In terms of format, it will have a title page showing the title of the essay, the name and number of the course, the professor’s name, the date, and your name. Your essay will cover one of the topic questions found in the list provided [i.e. Hinduism, topic 3…]Your bibliography will include a minimum of 4 sources, and your references should be cited in correct bibliographic form. The bibliography, Works Cited or References, page should be the last page of the essay and does not count as part of the length of the essay.

Hinduism
1. Discuss the role of women in modern Hinduism.
2. In 1948, Mahatma Ghandi abolished the term “Untouchables”. Explain the role of the Untouchable caste prior to this declaration by Mahatma Ghandi.
3. Discuss the role of Reincarnation and Karma in Hinduism.
4. Explain the relevance, religious and/or cultural, of one of the three epics, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas.
5. Discuss the Caste system, its importance in the past and today.

Buddhism
1. Discuss the term dharma and how it plays a role in Buddhism.
2. Discuss the concept of the Socially Engaged role for Buddhist Monks?
3. Discuss the differences between Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism in Japan.
4. Define the secular and religious roles of the Dalai Lama.
5. Discuss the role of women in Buddhism.

Judaism
1. Explain the repetitious theme of exile in the Jewish religion.
2. Discuss the importance of the writings of Moses Maimondies (1135-1204) on the Jewish population living in exile.
3. Define the term Zionism and its role in Modern Judaism.
4. Discuss some of the major influences of Hasidic Judaism on Contemporary Judaism.
5. Discuss the changing role of women in Judaism.

Christianity
1. Explain the importance of the Crucifixion and Resurrection in the formation of Christianity.
2. Discuss some of the differences between Western and Eastern Christianity in terms of the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian or Greek Orthodox Church.
3. Explain the importance of the Protestant Reformation.
4. Discuss the role of the Gothic Church in the redefining of the Catholic Church.
5. How has the role of women changed in Modern Christianity.

Islam
1. Discuss the reasons for the Sunni – Shi’ite split. What effects did this split have on the Islamic traditions?
2. Define the term jihad. What are some of the consequences of Western’s mistranslation of this term?
3. What is the significance behind the celebration of Ramadan?
4. Describe the role of women in Islam. Has it changed?

5. What are some of the differences between Islamic teachings and those of Judaism and Christianity.