E104 -- Fall 2004 -- Second Question

How we graded Your paper

The Question:

"During the 18th century, predictions about the future ceased to be dominated by religious ideologies. Despite this overt secularization, many of the central aspects of apocalyptic futures (for example, a foretelling of the ultimate fate of humanity, the notion that history has significance and direction, the triumph of morality over materialism) continued to be subtly present in every projection of the future generated in the past 250 years. In the 18th century and beyond, religious concepts no longer dictated how the future was expected to unfold; yet, at the same time, all visions of the future attempted to answer fundamentally religious questions."

Do you agree or disagree with this quotation? Discuss and provide specific examples from four of the depictions of the future listed below. (You may agree with the quotation completely, disagree completely, or argue that it applies to some visions of the future, but not others. The important thing is to support your position with clearly relevant evidence.)

What this question is asking you to do:

  1. Describe the Apocalyptic future
  2. Clearly state the claim made in the quotation
  3. Take a position on validity of this claim
  4. Either adopt the definition of “fundamentally religious” used in the quotation or substitute a different definition
  5. Demonstrate how each of the four examples chosen does or does not support the claim made in the question

Criteria for Grading:

(Each paper is graded in terms of its own argument, but here are the general criteria that we used in determining the grade.)

Generally an A paper will:

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the nature of Apocalyptic thinking
    Clearly define what is meant by “fundamentally religious”
    Clearly state the thesis in the quotation
    Take a clear stand on the validity of this thesis
    Support this stand using examples from at least four of the items on the list
    Clearly support all assertions with a wide range of evidence from the readings, lectures, and web site with appropriate citations
    Be clearly organized and lacking in grammatical and spelling errors

Generally a B Paper will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Apocalypse
    Take a clear stand on the thesis contained in the quotation
    Support this stand using examples from at least four of the items on the list
    Be clearly written and organized with few mistakes in grammar and spelling

Generally a C paper will:

  • Make a serious effort to discuss the role of religious questions in the creation of visions of the future
  • Demonstrate a general knowledge of the course materials

Generally a D paper will:

  • Show an understanding of the broad themes of the course
  • Demonstrate a basic level of effort