RELI216 Encountering Religions Case Study Assignment Guidelines The case study assignment is worth 25% of your total grade and is due any time before 6 p.m. on Wednesday of the Lesson 10 week. No extensions or make-ups are allowed without approval from the professor before the due date time. Approved late papers may be subject to late-submission penalties. Each lesson includes a Case Study Options section. For this assignment, you must select only one case study from all the options posted in the Case Study Options section of each lesson page from the Intro Lesson to Lesson 10. General Guidelines The case study assignment provides the opportunity for you to engage in a critical review of a particular interreligious encounter issue(s). The following offers a general guide for approaching the case study assignment. Note that each case study option includes specific directives for addressing the issue and highlighting particular voices and perspectives from the available resources. Case study voices (resources) may include video lectures, scholarly and web-based resources. To provide full context and to maximize your approach and grades, aim to review all case study and lesson resources related to the case study selected. That is, if you choose to complete Case Study 2B, review all the 2B voices and the Lesson 2 resources. No outside sources are allowed. For the assignment, assume your audience has only a cursory understanding of the issue and is looking to you for guidance on how diverse voices (resources) can both complicate and contextualize responses to the issue. The goals of this assignment include: 1. Respectful yet critical engagement with the case study voices (sources). 2. Proper communication and presentation style. Respectful yet Critical Engagement with the Issue(s) and Voices The case study provides the opportunity for an in-depth critical analysis of selected voices (resources) implicated in this interreligious encounter issue. For the opening section, work with identified voices (resources) to synthesize the various perspectives raised and provide an overview of the topic. For the profiles of voices, aim for a descriptive account and present Concordia Concordia May not be copied or duplicated without the permission of the owner. 1 positions offered by the voice in a manner that, should the author/source review your account of their work, they would agree with your presentation of the points included. The closing section provides space for you to declare your position on the issue, supported with references to other case study, lesson, and course resources. In presenting your position, aim for a critical yet respectful treatment of all voices considered. For example, you may indicate that the contribution offered by the particular voice(s) about the issue(s) may be limited or enhanced by the medium and/or intended audience for each source. Review the "Critical Reading Techniques" tip sheet posted on the Assessments page for additional guidance on how to complete a respectful critical reading of a source. Proper Communication and Presentation Style To hone your written communication and presentation skills, the case study assignment asks you to synthesize and then communicate your findings in a clear and concise manner. The introduction section requires a clear description of the issue, introduction of the voices profiled and initial statement about your position on the topic. Include headings to identify each section of the case study. A concluding statement is expected. To meet this communication and presentation style requirement, it is important to take the necessary time to edit and proofread your material to avoid any spelling or grammar mistakes, and to ensure that the material is presented in a clear and coherent manner. To maximize your grade, aim to submit the third to fifth draft of your report. Review the "Sample Structure for Case Study" tip sheet posted on the Assessments page for further guidance on how to organize the case study content. A second set of eyes can be helpful for identifying sections that would benefit from further revision. Consider having a final draft reviewed by booking a one-hour session or attending the drop-in sessions with the free writing tutor service offered through the Student Success Centre. Note: Coherence, clarity of thought, clear introduction and conclusion statements, and correct spelling, grammar and sentence structure are all expected elements within academic writing. These elements are not graded separately, but the quality of each can either enhance or detract from the final grade assessment. Document Structure Follow the recommendations included in the Sample Case Study Structure Guide. Word Count Aim for a document that is from 2000 to 2500 words. If your final draft is close to or under 2000 words, revisit sections that might benefit from further development. If over 2500 words, consider and revise sections with repetitive details, remove superfluous reference details that are included in the bibliography (i.e., do not include resource titles). Concordia Concordia O May not be copied or duplicated without the permission of the owner. 2 File Type Upload as Word document (.doc or .docx or .rtf) for tracked changes and grade comments. Formatting Use double spacing and a minimum font size of 12 pt. Title Page Do not include a title page. Instead, include at the top of the first page a title that identifies the Case Study topic (Lesson #), your name and student ID number. Headings Use headings to define each section of the report. Bibliography Include a full bibliography of all sources referenced on the last page. Case Study Content Opening Follow specific directives included in the selected case study to introduce and state the basic religious encounter issue(s) to be examined. The case study title is a good place to start with describing the issue. Work also with how the theme is discussed within the case study video lecture or other lesson video or podcast lectures or resources. Cite all references to sources. Profiles of Three Voices Follow specific directives included in the selected case study to offer profiles of required and selected voices (three or more sources). Several case study options allow for profiles of both required and selected voices of interest from the case study or associated lesson resources. Include in the profile a descriptive account of the how each voice contributes to the overall conversation about the defined issue(s). Avoid direct quotations - instead aim to paraphrase ideas as that demonstrates your understanding of the points raised. Quotes, paraphrases, and summaries all require clear citations referencing the original sources. Position Statement Building on details included in the opening and profile sections, offer your position on the encounter issue, identifying key concerns/issues/challenges/future directions of interest. Support your position by analyzing, comparing, and contrasting themes raised in the case study voices profiled with those found in additional related case study, lesson, and course material. Course material may include video lectures, podcasts, guest interviews, connect sessions, readings, web resources, and discussion board entries – citations required. Close with a conclusion statement. Concordia Concordia May not be copied or duplicated without the permission of the owner. 3 Budgeting Your Time Aim to begin the assignment during the mid-term break and schedule from 15 to 25 hours to complete this assignment. Split the time into prep plus three stages. Prep (1-2 hours) Review the case study guidelines, sample case study structure tip sheet, and consider all case study options to select the one of most interest to you. Stage 1 (5 to 10 hours) Review all case study and related lesson resources. Take notes to identify key points, issues and themes that cut across the resources and contribute to the development of your position on the topic. Stage 2 (5 to 10 hours) From your notes, following the specific directives included in the selected case study, prepare the overview statement, profile sections, and personal position. Work closely with resources to support the discussion in each section. Stage 3 (3 to 5 hours) Allow time to review, revise and refine each draft to enhance coherence and readability. Aim to submit the third to fifth draft. Experience suggests that for each revised draft, the final grade can rise from one to two letter grade points (i.e., from B to B+ or A-). Academic Referencing Requirements As this is an academic exercise, any reference to materials used in your discussion must include references to the source through in-text citations and a full bibliography entry. • References are expected of all academic writing (not graded) Incorrect use or style could detract from the final grade. Failure to correctly cite all sources may result in an academic code infraction. Work with the Chicago Style - Author/Date formula for in-text citations and bibliography. Review the Chicago Style 'Quick Guide' posted on the Concordia Library How to cite page. In-Text Citations The in-text citation for a reference to the Intro lesson resource by Gary Kessler would look like this: When approaching the study of religion, Gary Kessler recommends that all students cultivate an outsider perspective that includes openness, honesty, critical intelligence, with careful observing, reading and listening (Kessler 2008, 4). Note: The in-text citation is located before the closing period, so it is identified with the sentence. Concordia Concordia © May not be copied or duplicated without the permission of the owner. Placement of In-Text Citations Citations should be included at the end of the first sentence of a paragraph where you introduce a source. For example, in each of the sections introducing/ profiling specific voices, the first sentence where the source is identified needs an in-text citation at the end of the sentence (author, date). If there are sentences that include direct quotes or paraphrase statements, also include an in-text citation with a page number or time code to direct your reader to the exact location in the source (author, date, pg#). If the paragraph profiling the voice does not include direct quotes or paraphrases, but offers further discussion or development of ideas, you can add a second in-text citation at the end of the paragraph. This indicates to the reader that the material between the first citation and the last are related to the same source (author, date). Bibliography Entries Bibliography entries are generally listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Entries are single-spaced with the second and subsequent lines indented. In this case, the Kessler bibliography entry would look like this: Kessler, Gary. E. 2008. "Thinking about Being a Student of Religion". In Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases - Third Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. pp. 1-13. If the author of a source referenced has two last names, be sure to include both (e.g., Lamoureux Scholes, 2016). For references from edited volumes like the course reader Understanding Interreligious Relations, cite the specific author and chapter title before the book publication details. Vishanoff, David. 2013. "Boundaries and Encounters". In Understanding Interreligious Relations. Edited by David Cheetham, Douglas Pratt and David Thomas. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 341 - 364. Note: Incomplete references may result in a grade reduction of one full letter or an academic code infraction charge. Concordia Concordia May not be copied or duplicated without the permission of the owner. 5/n5.3.1 Case Study 5A: Muslim Responses to Islamophobia The theme for this case study is: Muslim Responses to Islamophobia. For this case study, consider how you would present the issue of Muslim responses to the contemporary issue of Islamophobia. To prepare your case study paper, review all lesson and case study resources, as well as the following resources from the Assessments page: • Case Study Guidelines with Grading Matrix ⚫ Sample Structure for the Case Study Paper Critical Reading Strategies • Instructional video • The video from the Optional Resources and Supplemental Learning section in which Dr. Clarke highlights strategies for interpreting sources discussing Islam. Overview: In contemporary culture, Muslims are the focus of much tension within interreligious relations. So much so that the term Islamophobia has been coined to acknowledge the irrational fear of Islam and its practitioners a social attitude that is particularly prominent in western countries. This case study asks you to consider how Muslims are responding to the issue of Islamophobia. After reviewing all case study and lesson resources, work with themes and strategies discussed to consider how you would explain the issue and answer the question: How are Muslims responding to the issue of Islamophobia expressed in the West? Preparing for and building your case study: Remember, the case study is designed for you to demonstrate your understanding of case study issue and related resources, plus present your capacity to synthesize information and ideas, and recommunicate those in a manner that respectfully reflects the intention of the authors cited. No outside sources are allowed. Opening section: Discussion of the issue. Work with the video lecture by Dr. Lynda Clarke and the article by Alex Marc Oaks Takacs to both define the concerns and debates about the issue of Islamophobia in the West and Muslim responses to it. Highlight the contributions discussed in the profiles. Profile section: Three voices to profile. • Profile #1: Consider either the Saiffuddin or the Bakali article and TEDtalk by Karima Bennoune and offer a portrait of her contribution to the discussion. • Profile #2: Consider either the Saiffuddin et al. (media portraits of Muslims) OR Bakali (Muslim experiences in Quebec schools), and describe the key issues and responses noted by the author profiled. • Profile #3: From the remaining resources select one voice and highlight the contribution offered. Your position: State and support your position. Explain your thoughts about depictions of Islam in the West as contributing factors to the experience of Islamophobia many Muslims experience. Share your impressions of the issue with others highlighting the various strategies Muslims are employing in the public sphere to counter Islamophobia. In support of your position, you may also work with additional lesson 5 and case study readings and lectures, as well as all course resources reviewed to date (e.g. Vishanoff, Phan & Tan, Pratt or Hedges).