Too Tired? Too Anxious? Need More Time? We’ve got your back.
These are the instructions from my professor, I will link the document as well if that is easier to read:
3100 FINAL EXAM Layout DUE March 17, 2023 by end of the day.
minimum 1500 words or 5 pages; 12 pt font, Times New Roman, 1in margin, use SBL to cite
The final exam is an exercise in theological integration in your personal journey. It consists in taking you back to materials already read, listened to, discussed, and with which you should have become familiar by now. Select your top five most surprising new theological learning or concepts and your response to the change these concepts invited you for. Use Spencer Johnson’s book or the video, Who Moved My Cheese, and others of your choosing to describe how your response to the invitation to change embedded or implied in each concept. For this assignment, you are going to craft a theological self-reflection of your journey in this class using the metaphor of this parable and the theological concept of Metanoia.
0) Introduction (1 paragraph, 3-4 sentences)
Create a captivating introduction that announces the content of your paper. It is usually advisable for you to build the main body of your paper first, before you write an introduction that is suitable.
1) Your usual responses to change (minimum 1/2 page, 125ish words, personal reflection)
Briefly summarize the Spencer Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese highlighting his view of change. Use the characters in the story as analogies to explain your usual responses to change in life, emphasizing which of the characters resemble you most of the times when faced with an invitation to change, and which one rarely defines you. Use Kallisto Ware’s Metanoia in The Orthodox Way, Jones’ ‘Repentance’ in Practicing Christian Doctrine, and the metaphor of Porch-Door-Lane-Family Circle to briefly describe how you responded to Spencer’s insistence on the necessity of ‘change’ in life and to the theological imperative of initial metanoia and heuristic repentances.
2) Top FIVE New Theological Concepts you understood using SBL-styled quotes from readings and class notes/lectures. Select four themes from the following and describe in detail your theological encounters. How did you respond to the new lights you gained about Christianity through each of them: Trinity and Ultimate Reality, Image of God, Fideism-Naturalism, Pneumatology, Sin/Evil Powers/Problems/Difficulties, Atonement, Salvation, Eschatology, Christology,). Be sure to relate the overall goal of human flourishing with your self-selected themes. In other words, given the importance of human flourishing, has your encounter with this theological concept prompted a change your personal disposition (change in/increase of respect or favorability), motivation (desiring/valuing), and attributed meaningfulness (behaviors and actions) of Christian faith? Why or why not?
A) THEOLOGICAL CONCEPT (250ish words (minimum), define and describe in your own words, footnotes sources)
B) THEOLOGICAL CONCEPT (250ish words (minimum), define and describe in your own words, footnotes sources)
C) THEOLOGICAL CONCEPT (250ish words (minimum), define and describe in your own words, footnotes sources)
D) THEOLOGICAL CONCEPT (250ish words (minimum), define and describe in your own words, footnotes sources)
E) THEOLOGICAL CONCEPT (250ish words (minimum), define and describe in your own words, footnotes sources)
Each case has to be based on content learned primarily from the required readings and lectures in this class.
3) Two invitations to change that you have embraced or intend to embrace. quote readings, lectures, at least one relevant external source for your argument.
Discuss what change, clarification, or reaffirmation, each new theological concept learned implied, if you were to accept and incorporate it to your journey and discuss:
A) INVITATION TO CHANGE EMBRACED (125ish words minimum)
B) INVITATION TO CHANGE EMBRACED (125ish words minimum)
Use the character in the Cheese parable that most resembles you with each case. Specify if this a change of mind, attitude, or behavior and whether you have already performed actions related to each change you have embraced. Specify the logic of your acceptance to embrace the new theological understanding and what alternative understanding of life (theology, philosophy, religious view) considered. Given the overall structuring of the class around evil, sin, and suffering, discuss how your new concept is better at handling these issues. Discuss, if applicable, what (further) action plans or decision to act you have in view in light of each understanding. In each case, explain what encouraged, inspired, or caused you to respond the way you responded.
4) Two invitations to change that you have rejected. quote readings, lectures, at least one relevant external source for your argument.
Discuss what change each new theological concept learned implied, if you were to accept and incorporate it to your journey and discuss:
A) INVITATION TO CHANGE REJECTED (125ish words minimum)
B) INVITATION TO CHANGE REJECTED (125ish words minimum)
5) One invitation to change related to your professional career or the way you intend to work with your degree. quote readings, lectures, at least one relevant external source for your argument.
A) RESPOND TO A THOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUR MAJOR/PROFESSION/CAREER (125ish words minimum)
Discuss what understanding a theological concept you learned point to concerning how works are (done), people are treated, cosmos/created is used, in your area of specialization. Say what change may be needed as a result of that new understanding and whether/how you intend to implement it.
Use the character in the Cheese parable that most resembles you with each case of an invitation to change that you have rejected. Specify if the implied invitation is for a change of mind, attitude, or behavior and what opportunity or danger is related to this change. Specify the logic of your refusal to embrace the new theological understanding and what alternative understanding of life (theology, philosophy, religious view, life choice, etc) you prefer. Specify if your decision not to change is based on an opposite theological/ philosophical/ religious conviction or a need to understand the theological concept further. Given the overall structuring of the class around human flourishing, discuss how your alternative view is better with handling these life issues. Specify any future action plan related to this decision not to change, maybe a need to explore further? In each case, explain what encouraged, inspired, or caused you to reject the implied invitation.
NB:
a- In case you rejected all your most important new theological concepts learned, write your four responses to change/metanoia about rejection. In case you embraced/accepted all new theological concepts learned, write all responses to change/metanoia about acceptance.
b- The line of argument should follow the logic set up for this class: For each accepted or rejected theological theme, describes how your response relate to human flourishing and to concern for humanism. Then discuss how the content of the theme is a threat or a contribution to human flourishing as the basis for your response. When applicable, name your alternatives. Therefore, statements such as “Since I am not a Christian,” or “As a longtime Christian since my birth…,” are good information but they are not expected “arguments.”
5) Conclusion (125ish words minimum, what do you think? use class notes)
Create an incisive conclusion.
6) Bibliography: Create SBL style Bibliography reflecting all materials cited in your paper
7) Work ahead of time and be sure to have your paper proofread. Seek help from SPU writing center, if necessary.
8) Be sure to present your paper using a full title page with all relevant information related to this class.
9) Return to submit your paper on March 17th, via the link provided with your responses to two or three short answer questions. This final essay is due on that day, but the link will be open for until Monday, 21st in case you need an extension. If you do, be sure to send request to Dr. Gnonhossou.
Grading Criteria: Your paper will be evaluated based on:
• Cogency (30%): convincing argumentation/articulation, using course required readings, class lectures, and properly citing outside sources you might need (articles, books, movies, etc.) to make your points. Use arguments pointing to the extent to which a theological concept fosters human flourishing or not, and why.
• Coherence and clarity (25%): structure, organization, good flow between sentences/paragraphs. No bullet points, no incomplete sentences, no disjointed sentences.
• Comprehensiveness (30%): depth and breadth of engagement with required readings, course materials, and outside sources. Be sure to use relevant sources on a given concept and do not rely on only one author that you might have (dis)liked to make your case. Remember you are responding to the content that this class taught overall on the concept, not just to one source you might happen to like or dislike.
• Mechanics (15%): there is an introduction, a body with sub-sections, a conclusion, good grammar, formatting, proper citations, title page, use of SBL formatting.
_______________________________________________
Please try to write this from the perspective of someone who is not very religious and never has been. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Try to incorporate theological concepts such as Atonement, Eschatology, Christology, Soteriology, Pneumatology, Monotheism, and Ecclesiology to name a few.
Too Tired? Too Anxious? Need More Time? We’ve got your back.