Short Essays

Each student will write short essays on two specified class readings (eligible readings are marked on the Readings page with an asterisk “*”). Both essays are to be 3-5 double-spaced pages in length. One of these essays will correspond with the student’s assigned group presentation, the other will be for an additional assigned reading. Signups for these essays and for group presentations will be distributed during the first two weeks of the semester.

After carefully examining the assigned reading, for each essay the student is asked to

1. Summarize the central points in the assigned reading (1-2 pages; not a complete restatement of every point in the article, but a brief summary which demonstrates the student has understood what the article’s central arguments are).
2. Critically assess the contents of the assigned reading. Which observations or conclusions in the article impress you the most and are the most significant for the study of Latino theology and religion? Which observations or conclusions in the article do you question or find to be less than convincing? Why?
3. Explore the wider significance of the assigned reading. What are the implications of this article for the wider study of U.S. Latino theology and religion? How does it relate to other readings or insights we have discussed in this course? How does it relate to other courses or readings which you’ve done?

NOTE: Outside research is not required for this assignment, but students are welcome to explore other published writings on a topic similar to the assigned reading for comparative purposes. If you elect to do this, however, please be sure that you stick to the topic of evaluating the assigned reading; use your comparative analysis with other published writings to sharpen your analysis of the assigned reading’s contents and scholarly significance.