Assignment

Instructions: Using the paper provided for you, write an essay responding to one question from group A and one from group B. Answer as thoroughly as possible, and support your claims with a clear argument and with specific examples and thorough summaries from the course readings.

Group A

1. In what ways can the arts serve as a form of protest of cultural or religious trends? As you answer, discuss at least two of the following: the poetry of Judith Sherman's Say the Name, Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel Persepolis, Kendrick Lamar's album To Pimp a Butterfly, Hasan Minhaj's show Homecoming King, or G. Willow Wilson's comic book Ms. Marvel. What are the advantages and disadvantages of engaging in these forms of protest, rather than more traditional forms of protest like marches?

2. Although Leila Ahmed, author of A Border Passage, and Elizabeth Johnson, author of She Who Is, come from different religious traditions, they both offer critiques of their traditions that are grounded in women's experience. How are their experiences similar and different? Do you think that Leila Ahmed's particular experiences are consistent with Johnson's generalizations about women's experience? How are their proposed correctives similar and different?

Group B

1. According to Christian Smith, many people (especially young people) in the United States who claim to be religious in fact adhere to "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism." One of the tenets of this "religion" is this: "The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself." Do you see evidence from your assignments this semester that Jews, Christians, and/or Muslims have adopted this principle? Or do you see more evidence that Jews, Christians, and/or Muslims prioritize other principles more highly than their own happiness? In either case, do you think Jews, Christians, and/or Muslims would be better or worse off if they embraced this principle? As you answer, discuss at least four assignments from throughout the semester, including at least two of the following: Wolpe's Why Be Jewish?, Auslander's Foreskin's Lament, Lewis's Mere Christianity, Thompson's Blankets, Wilson's Butterfly Mosque, or Master of None.

2. Why is it important to study religion? As you answer, discuss at least four assignments from throughout the semester, including at least two of the following: Prothero's God Is Not One, Wolpe's Why Be Jewish?, Auslander's Foreskin's Lament, Lewis's Mere Christianity, Thompson's Blankets, Wilson'sButterfly Mosque, or Master of None.