Our second comparative paper is due midnight November 25th. The second paper mirrors the first in terms of structure, format, word limits, etc. The guidelines, outline, and rubric provided for comparative paper 1 all apply. You are still to focus your analysis around ONE specific topic, whether a practice (i.e. a ritual, prayer, a holiday, dietary, etc.), belief (i.e. regarding the afterlife, the end times) or moral issue (i.e. war, the death penalty, abortion, sexuality, etc.). There is one crucial difference: rather than comparing multiple traditions (I.e. Judaism and Islam), you are to compare differing views among two groups within a single religious tradition. The groups might reflect large divisions (Sunni/Shi’ite, Protestant/Catholic, etc.), specific denominations/bodies (Reform vs. Conservative Judaism, Southern Baptists vs. Episcopalians), or simply differing views on your subject (Christians who support gay marriage vs. Christians who oppose; Muslim women who wear hijab vs. those who do not). You must choose two groups from within the same tradition; the goal of this second assignment is to explore diversity within Judaism, Christianity, OR Islam NOT similarities/differences between them. However you slice your internal comparison groups, you must clearly lay out the differing viewpoints (support with citation), explain WHY each group holds differing views (historical factors, cultural influences, connection to other core beliefs, etc.); HOW they use the tradition to defend it (what scripture/principles they cite, etc.); and why this difference is important (consequences of conflicting opinions, connection to core beliefs, differing responses to contemporary pressures, etc.). Noting underlying similarities will also strengthen your paper. Outline: I. Introductionwhat are you comparing? a. Define the general object of comparison (i.e. daily prayer, Sabbath, marriage, etc.) i. Best to cite theoretical literature (i.e. J.Z. Smiths definition of ritual) to define your comparison category as specifically as possible. See list of encyclopedia/dictionaries for finding and defining comparative categories b. How does this general feature manifest in the two traditions you are comparing? i. What do they call it? Where does it appear? Why is it important? II. Body Paragraphs-Comparison and Contrast a. Origins i. When do these features first emerge in the two traditions? ii. Did they influence or contrast with one another from the outset or emerge independently? b. Similarities and Differences i. Features-shared and distinct elements ii. Functions-shared and distinct goals/purposes c. Evolution/Elaboration i. Evolution 1. Has this feature changed over time within these traditions? Have they become more similar or different? What contextual factors have contributed to these changes? ii. Elaboration 1. How have people within these traditions talked about the meaning and importance of this feature? What other practices or beliefs are they connected to? Why are these meanings significant for these people? III. Conclusionso what? Why are these similarities/differences important? a. What do the similarities tell us about what the traditions share in common? Why are those shared features and functions important? b. What difference do the differences make? What are the consequences of these differences for people practicing these traditions? How do they shape adherents and the religious worlds surrounding these traditions in distinct ways?
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