MIDTERM EXAM

RLST 2400                                                                                                  SUMMER, 2009

Religion and

Contemporary U.S. Society

 

 

PLEASE ANSWER ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

(and identify which question you are answering):

 

A.  If Berger’s theory is correct, the traditional U.S. nomos (the traditional "public religion") was developed to protect the American people against the threat of anomy. Based on what you have learned in this class, how well do you think the traditional nomos works? Briefly explain Berger’s concepts of nomos, anomy, and secularization.  How do they help you understand the traditional U.S. nomos?  In what ways does the traditional nomos make people feel safe from anomy? What does the traditional nomos define as the major threats to the nomos? How do people living within that nomos respond to those threats? What measures do they take to legitimate the nomos in the face of those threats?  In conclusion, does the traditional nomos really protect people from their fear of anomy? 

Support your answers with specific examples drawn from our study of the traditional U.S. nomos. 

 

 

B.  The traditional U.S. nomos proclaims that individual freedom and the hope of increasing freedom is one of its highest ideals. However, Berger argues that every nomos usually tends to reduce individual freedom, because of the alienating qualities of the nomos.  Discuss how his theory fits, and how it doesn’t fit, the traditional nomos of U.S. society (the traditional "public religion") as we have studied in this course.  Does the traditional nomos actually increase individual freedom, or does it reduce freedom?  In other words, would people living totally within the traditional U.S. nomos have more of the “I” than people living in pre-modern religious societies (as Berger describes them in the first four chapters of his book?  Or would they be more alienated than pre-modern religious people and have more of the “me”?  Or would their balance of freedom and alienation (“I” and “me”) be about the same? 

Support your answer by briefly explaining Berger’s views on freedom and alienation, and giving specific examples drawn from our study of the traditional U.S. nomos.

 

This essay covers material studied through June 11.

It is due in class on Monday, June 17.  

 

Essays should be about FIVE  (5) pages double-spaced.  Please identify clearly which question you are answering.

 

 

(OVER)
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING ESSAY EXAMS

 

 

As in any other academic course, you are being tested on your ability to understand, organize, synthesize, and think logically about the ideas presented in the course.  Therefore, in answering the question, you should show that you have read the assigned readings, attended class, and grasped the main ideas presented in readings and class.  On some occasions you may be asked to write about your own personal experiences or feelings.  But please remember that your grade is always based on your demonstrated understanding of the course material.  Your primary responsibility in every essay is to show what you have learned in this course.  The more course material you include in your essay, presented accurately and logically, the better your grade will be. 

 

 

A good essay is written clearly, concisely, and precisely.  It offers a series of general ideas, with each one supported by more specific ideas or evidence, and all the general ideas are arranged in a logical order.  Make sure your essay has a clear logical flow of ideas within each paragraph and from one paragraph to the next.  If your paragraphs could be rearranged in a different order and make just as much sense, your essay is not yet well organized!  A good way to avoid this problem is to make an outline before you write your final draft, so that you can see the organization of your essay clearly.  Make every word count, from the very first word; avoid needless introductions and repetitive conclusions.  Make every sentence add a new thought or a new way of supporting a main idea.

 

 

You should always show that you can express the main ideas of the course in your own words.  A good way to do this is to assume that you are writing for someone who knows nothing about the subject; imagine you are writing to a parent, a friend, etc.  Do not use lengthy quotations (though you may want to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes). 

 

 

It will be to your advantage to discuss the course material as fully as possible with your professor, both in class and outside of class. It makes a lot of sense to discuss the ideas BEFORE you write the essays, though you are also encouraged to discuss the essays after they are returned to you with comments. I will be happy to discuss your exam with you, or go over a preliminary draft, during office hours or at other times by appointment.

 

 

THE SAME GUIDELINES WILL APPLY FOR THE FINAL EXAM.

PLEASE SAVE THIS SHEET FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 


 

FINAL EXAM

RLST 2400                                                                                                  SUMMER, 2009

Religion and

Contemporary U.S. Society

 

CHOOSE ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

(Please identify clearly which question you are answering.)

 

A.    Write an essay explaining why you agree or disagree with the following statement:

       Charlene Spretnak's holistic spirituality and the various movements of liberation theology all offer themselves as radically new alternatives to modernity and postmodernity (as Jameson understand postmodernity).  In fact, though, holistic spirituality and liberation theology are only somewhat different from modernity and postmodernity, because they include substantial elements of modernity and postmodernity.  So they do not represent a total break with the dominant U.S. public nomos.  They are not different enough to be considered totally new or totally different alternatives. 

 

B.   Imagine that it is the 22nd century.  The traditional public religion of classical liberalism and nationalism has been long forgotten.  Now there is a struggle going on for control of the U.S. public nomos between two forces.  One is postmodernism.  The other is holistic liberation spirituality -- a synthesis of liberation theology and holistic theology.  The holistic liberation movement is based on its two most cherished books, Boff&Boff’s Introducing Liberation Theology and Spretnak’s Resurgence of the Real.  Write an essay explaining the two sides in the conflict:  postmodernism vs. holistic liberation spirituality.  What are the most basic views of each side? What are the main points of disagreement between them? What are the main points of agreement, if any?  “Points” includes all aspects of each one’s nomos:  basic assumptions, worldview, values, legitimations, and lifestyle (activities, behaviors, etc. in which the nomos is acted out). In conclusion, which side do you hope wins out, and why? 

 

 

 

Essays should be about FIVE (5) pages double-spaced. 

 

Essays are due in my mailbox in the Religious Studies office (HUMN 273)

on Friday, July 3, by 4:30 PM. 

 

The guidelines on the back of the mid-term exam apply to this exam too.