Star Cross Crescent

SCTR 19 - "Religions of the Book" - Fall 2006

Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Dept. of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Group Presentations - Final Schedule:

Dates
Section 1 (9:15 - 10:20 a.m.)
Section 2 (11:45 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.)
W 11/8 Grp 2 - Abraham & Family (influence; theological/social disputes) Grp 4 - Abraham & Family (family disputes / theological conflicts)
F 11/10 Grp 4 - Moses (in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Quran) Grp 2 - Major Seasons of Fasting/Penance (Yom Kippur, Lent, Ramadan)
M 11/13 Grp 6 - Women (attitudes toward, significant roles played by women) Grp 7 - Women (how their stories are told; how shape religious history)
W 11/15 Grp 3 - Marriage (sexual beliefs, dating practices, wedding rituals) Grp 8 - Sex & Marriage (differences past/present in the three religions)
F 11/17 Grp 7 - Jerusalem & Holy Land (significance for the three religions) Grp 6 - Symbolism (meanings of Star of David, Holy Cross, Crescent Moon)
M 11/27 Grp 5 - Arab / Israeli Conflict (from the 3 religious perspectives) Grp 5 - Arab / Israeli Conflict (esp. the role/symbolism of Jerusalem)
W 11/29 Grp 1 - Peace & Justice (teachings & scriptural foundations) Grp 1 - Worship & Prayer (practices & forms of communication w/ God)
F 12/1 Fr. Just - Role/Interpretations of Jesus (as viewed by all 3 religions) Grp 3 - Role/Interpretations of Jesus (as viewed by all three religions)

Group Project/Presentation Guidelines

Overview:  Groups of 4-5 students will each conduct one class during the last three weeks of the quarter, both presenting a comparative topic and leading the class discussion for that day. The topics listed on our detailed course schedule are suggestions only; you may also propose another topic, as long as it compares all three religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) from some perspective.

Guidelines & Timeline:

  1. Form Groups (Monday, Sept. 25) – From now on, each group will also sit together in class.
     
  2. Choose Topics (by Monday, Oct. 9, or earlier) – Discuss & decide as a group which topic you wish to research and present; give the instructor a brief written proposal (title and one-paragraph justification: why you are interested in this topic), signed by all group members. Topics will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If several groups choose the same topic at the same time, we’ll have to negotiate or choose other topics, to avoid too much overlap!  The instructor will schedule the presentation dates after all proposals are submitted.
     
  3. Begin Research & Consult the Instructor – Start gathering info, both from secondary sources (library books, newspapers, online materials, etc.) and from primary readings (Bible & Qur’an); make an appointment to meet with the Instructor, who will help you define your topic more precisely and find reliable resources and relevant readings.
     
  4. Submit Reading Selections (by Monday, Oct. 30, or earlier) – Submit a list of which passages from the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Qur’an (several brief selections from each religious tradition - about 50-100 verses from each of the three traditions) you want all the students in our class to read in advance of your class. Also, select one or two short secondary readings (encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine article, webpage, etc). The instructor may make some modifications, to avoid too much overlap with other groups. To find specific scriptural passages related to your topic, see the "Concordance" in the back of the Catholic Study Bible, the "Index" in the back of The Holy Qur'an, as well as the links provided on my webpage listing Biblical Resources and on the top of my Overview of Islam.
     
  5. NEW: Propose Worksheet Questions: Prepare two or three questions (based on the readings) for a "Worksheet" that all other students will complete in advance of your presentation. Email your suggested questions to the instructor at least ONE WEEK in advance of your presentation, so I can format, modify, print, and distribute them to everyone on the classday before your presentation.
     
  6. Prepare Your Presentation – Decide what you want to present to the class, and how, and by whom (every group member should contribute in some way); include some supporting materials to enliven your presentation (handouts, PowerPoint, WebPages, and/or other electronic format); also prepare questions for class discussion and/or other small-group activity (20-25 minutes).
     
  7. Present Your Topic (Nov. 6 – Dec. 1) – Since we have 65 minutes each class day, your presentation should be 30-40 minutes, with 20-25 min. for small-group discussion/activity, and leaving 5 min. for the instructor's announcements at the end.
     
  8. Evaluate Another Group(s) – Each student will be asked to evaluate the presentation of one or two other groups, according to a set of “assessment rubrics” that will be distributed in advance.

          Grading Rubrics for Group Presentations

CATEGORY

4 – Excellent

3 – Competent

2 – Adequate

1 – Inadequate

0–Nada

Score

Preparation

The group was very well prepared; the readings assigned in advance were very pertinent and helped us understand the topic much better.

The group was well prepared; the readings assigned were pertinent and helped us understand the topic better.

The group seemed prepared; the assigned readings were somewhat helpful for understanding the topic better.

The group was not well prepared; the assigned readings were not very helpful and/or pertinent to the topic.

Did they know they were up today?

.

Organization

All of the material was logically organized, with no major problems. All three religions were covered about equally.

Most of the material was logically organized, with only minor problems. All three religions were covered to some extent.

The organization of the material was a bit unclear, with several noticeable problems. One of the religions received less attention.

The material was disorganized, with many significant problems. One or two of the religions were badly neglected.

Which religions are we studying?

.

Content

All information presented was clear, accurate, and thorough; technical religious vocabulary was used well.

Most information presented was clear, accurate, and thorough; proper religious vocabulary was used most of the time.

Most information presented was clear and accurate, if not very detailed. Religious vocabulary was generally good, with few errors.

Information presented was often inaccurate or unclear; religious vocabulary was often missing and/or used incorrectly.

What was it all about anyway?

.

Competence

The group accurately answered all questions posed by classmates.

Group correctly answered most questions posed by classmates.

Group answered some questions posed by classmates, but not well.

Group was unable to answer many questions posed by classmates.

Duhhhh – I dunno!

.

Primary
Scriptures

Pertinent texts from HB, NT, and Qur’an were well integrated as a central part of the presentation.

Several texts from HB, NT, and Qur’an were well integrated in the presentation.

A few texts from HB, NT, and Qur’an were mentioned, but not well integrated in the presentation.

Very few texts from HB, NT, and Qur’an were mentioned, and their significance remains unclear.

Where’s my Bible?

.

Secondary
Literature

Secondary readings were very well integrated in the presentation.

Secondary readings were used in some part of the presentation.

Secondary readings were referred to minimally but not well integrated.

Secondary readings were hardly referred to at all.

What readings?

.

Collaboration
& Teamwork

Each student in the group made an important contribution to the whole; all clearly worked together as a team sharing responsibility.

Each student contributed to the group effort about equally; they all worked together reasonably well, with no noticeable friction.

Most students in the group made good contributions to the joint effort, but it was a bit disjointed as a whole.

Some students in the group did not contribute much and/or each one’s work was disconnected from the others.

Who said we were a team?

.

Oral
Presentation

All students spoke clearly, with effective body language and good eye contact.

All students spoke clearly and had good eye contact.

Most students spoke clearly and had good eye contact.

Some of the students did not speak clearly and/or connect with the listeners.

Mumble,
mumble,
mumble…

.

Audio-Visual

Excellent AV materials significantly enhanced the group’s presentation.

Good AV materials contributed to the group’s presentation.

The presentation had some AV, but the quality was not the best.

The presentation had few pertinent AV materials.

What’s AV?

.

Engagement
& Interaction

The group kept everyone’s attention the whole time, getting us all involved a lot, and leaving us wanting to learn more.

The group kept everyone’s attention for most the time, getting us all involved a bit, and making us glad we came today.

The group kept most people’s attention for much of the time, but we weren’t too involved, and some parts were a bit boring.

The group had trouble keeping people’s attention; others hardly got involved at all, and many students in the class seemed bored.

Did you doze off?

.

PREP:
Readings

Great readings proposed on time, with few revisions needed.

Good readings proposed on time; some revisions done promptly.

Readings proposed slightly late and/or several revisions needed.

Readings proposed or revised late and/or multiple reminders needed!

What?
Me read?

.

PREP:
Worksheets

Great questions submitted on time, with few revisions needed.

Good questions submitted on time; revisions done promptly.

Questions submitted slightly late and/or several revisions needed.

Questions submitted or revised late and/or multiple reminders needed!

Let the Prof. do it!

.

TIMING

x

x

Started & ended on time.

Started & ended +/- a few minutes.

No Clock?

.


.

Comments:

 

Total Score: ________________

 

Name of Evaluator: _______________________________________ Date: ________________

 

Santa Clara University

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