Description
The assignment:
- Compose a 5-page paper research paper (not including the Title Page and Reference Page) in which you:
- Identify a topic relevant to the academic field of science and spirituality.
- Pose an argument (claim) regarding the topic and support that claim with documented evidence.
- Provide a brief overview of select arguments of both scientists and spiritual thinkers related to that topic.
- Analyze the validity of selected arguments and determine whether the arguments could be reconciled.
- Include a Title Page (including a title expressing the thesis/claim) and References.
- Cite all sources, in proper APA format, used in your research.
Assignment Evaluation Criteria (50 points, 100 points, or 150 points maximum)
The Assignment due in Week 2 is worth up to 100 points. The Assignment in Week 3 and the Reflection
paper in Week 6 are worth up to 50 points. The Final Project is worth up to 150 points. The criteria below
are for these Assignments.
Points for each Assignment will be awarded as follows:
33-50 points (of a possible 50 points) or 67-100 points (of a possible 100 points) or 100-150 points (of
a possible 150 points)
•
•
•
Assignment demonstrates a full understanding and correct use of the concepts and/or strategies
as presented in the Learning Resources.
Assignment follows directions and includes all components indicated in the instructions. If
requested, references are included and properly cited.
Writing demonstrates mastery of all criteria for high academic literacy standards as indicated in
“Writing Rubric” (see below).
16-32 points (of a possible 50 points) or 33-66 (of a possible 100 points) or 50-99 points (of a possible
150 points)
•
•
•
Assignment demonstrates a general understanding and correct use of the concepts and/or
strategies as presented in the Learning Resources.
Assignment follows directions and includes most components indicated in the instructions. If
requested, references are included and properly cited.
Writing demonstrates mastery of most criteria for high academic literacy standards as indicated in
“Writing Rubric” (see below).
15 or fewer points (of a possible 50 points) or 32 or fewer points (of a possible 100 points) or 49 or
fewer points (of a possible 150 points)
•
•
•
Assignment demonstrates a minimal understanding and correct use of the concepts and/or
strategies as presented in the Learning Resources.
Assignment does not follow all directions and is missing components indicated in the instructions.
If requested, references are not included and properly cited.
Writing is unclear and/or disorganized. Thoughts are not expressed in a logical manner. Few
criteria for high academic literacy standards as indicated in “Writing Rubric” (see below) are
followed.
Insight and Originality
Grammar and Mechanics
Organization
Evidence and Support
Thesis and Argument
Writing Rubric
Excellent
Good
Average
Below Average
Precise, debatable,
and thoughtprovoking thesis
statement
Specific and debatable
thesis statement but not
thought-provoking as in
“Excellent” category
Debatable but vague
thesis statement
Non-debatable and/or
vague thesis
statement
Clear connection
between claims
and evidence
Clear explanations
that develop the
main idea
Ample use of
specific textual
references and/or
facts, reasons,
examples, details
Well-chosen
evidence
Properly and
smoothly integrated
quotes
Logical and clear
progression of the
argument
Clear connection
between claims and
data
Explanations that
develop the main idea
Sufficient use of
specific textual
references and/or facts,
reasons, examples,
details
Properly integrated
quotes
Inconsistent
integration of quotes
No integration of
quotes
Logical and clear
progression of the
argument for the most
part
Sometimes illogical or
unclear progression
of the argument
Illogical and unclear
progression of the
argument
Inconsistent/unhelpful
topic sentences and
transitions between
points
Usually clear, but
sometimes choppy or
repetitious sentences
Inconsistent/unhelpful
use of topic
sentences and/or
misused/missing
transitions between
points
Some confusing,
choppy, or repetitious
sentences
Basic command of
punctuation, spelling,
and grammar
Errors in punctuation,
grammar, and
spelling
Imprecise or
unnecessary words
Imprecise or
inappropriate words
Falters from APA
guidelines at times
Incorrect
implementation of
APA guidelines
Informed analysis but
not as perceptive as in
“Excellent” category
Informed but
sometimes
undeveloped analysis
Undeveloped and
sometimes flawed
analysis
Fairly original
arguments and
perspectives
Familiar arguments
and perspectives
Summary-driven
perspective
Steady sense of
purpose and
audience
Inconsistent sense of
purpose and
audience
Clear, smoothly flowing
sentences
Consistent
command of
punctuation,
spelling, and
grammar
General command of
punctuation, spelling,
and grammar
Clear sense of
purpose and
audience
Few references
and/or facts, reasons,
examples, details
Well-chosen evidence
Skillful, smoothly
flowing sentences
Original and
insightful
arguments and
perspectives
Generalized textual
references and/or
facts, reasons,
examples, details
Missing or unclear
explanations of the
main idea
Sometimes
inappropriate/ little
evidence chosen
Directive topic
sentences and
transitions between
points
Follows APA
guidelines
Perceptive,
informed analysis
Explanations that
develop the main
idea to a limited
extent
Unclear or missing
connections between
claims and data
Pertinent evidence
chosen
Articulate and
directive
topic sentences
and transitions
between points
Precise and
economical word
usage
Some unclear
connections between
claims and data
Appropriate and
economical word usage
Follows APA guidelines
Consistent sense of
purpose and audience
Poor
No clear thesis
statement
No clear connections
between claims and
data
Unclear/missing main
idea and explanations
Missing textual
references and/or
facts, reasons,
examples, details
Little evidence used
No integration/
missing quotes
No apparent logical
structure
No topic sentences
and misused or
missing transitions
Many choppy,
confusing, or
repetitious sentences
Errors in punctuation,
grammar, and spelling
Many imprecise and
inappropriate words
No use of APA
guidelines
Missing or deeply
flawed analysis
Summary-driven and
repetitive perspective
No sense of purpose
or audience
Final Project
Week 3: Organizing Research Ideas
For your Final Project, you will need to identify the main themes and arguments that you
uncovered while researching your topic. Using the table below, list up to three major
ideas that you discovered about your topic as a result of your research. Then, list some
of the arguments used in support of these ideas, and cite the sources where you found
them. Use APA format to cite the sources, and include at least one book or journal
article (do not limit yourself to Web sites).
Please note that this worksheet is intended to help you organize the main ideas you
have uncovered during your research. The Week 4 worksheet will assist you as you
begin to articulate your own ideas about your topic and plan the arguments you will use
in your final paper.
Main Idea
1.
2.
3.
Supporting Arguments
•
Sources Cited
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
The Assignment due in Week 2 is worth up to 100 points. The Assignment in Week 3 and the Reflection
paper in Week 6 are worth up to 50 points. The Final Project is worth up to 150 points. The criteria below
are for these Assignments.
Points for each Assignment will be awarded as follows:
33-50 points (of a possible 50 points) or 67-100 points (of a possible 100 points) or 100-150 points (of
a possible 150 points)
•
•
•
Assignment demonstrates a full understanding and correct use of the concepts and/or strategies
as presented in the Learning Resources.
Assignment follows directions and includes all components indicated in the instructions. If
requested, references are included and properly cited.
Writing demonstrates mastery of all criteria for high academic literacy standards as indicated in
“Writing Rubric” (see below).
16-32 points (of a possible 50 points) or 33-66 (of a possible 100 points) or 50-99 points (of a possible
150 points)
•
•
•
Assignment demonstrates a general understanding and correct use of the concepts and/or
strategies as presented in the Learning Resources.
Assignment follows directions and includes most components indicated in the instructions. If
requested, references are included and properly cited.
Writing demonstrates mastery of most criteria for high academic literacy standards as indicated in
“Writing Rubric” (see below).
15 or fewer points (of a possible 50 points) or 32 or fewer points (of a possible 100 points) or 49 or
fewer points (of a possible 150 points)
•
•
•
Assignment demonstrates a minimal understanding and correct use of the concepts and/or
strategies as presented in the Learning Resources.
Assignment does not follow all directions and is missing components indicated in the instructions.
If requested, references are not included and properly cited.
Writing is unclear and/or disorganized. Thoughts are not expressed in a logical manner. Few
criteria for high academic literacy standards as indicated in “Writing Rubric” (see below) are
followed.
Insight and Originality
Grammar and Mechanics
Organization
Evidence and Support
Thesis and Argument
Writing Rubric
Excellent
Good
Average
Below Average
Precise, debatable,
and thoughtprovoking thesis
statement
Specific and debatable
thesis statement but not
thought-provoking as in
“Excellent” category
Debatable but vague
thesis statement
Non-debatable and/or
vague thesis
statement
Clear connection
between claims
and evidence
Clear explanations
that develop the
main idea
Ample use of
specific textual
references and/or
facts, reasons,
examples, details
Well-chosen
evidence
Properly and
smoothly integrated
quotes
Logical and clear
progression of the
argument
Clear connection
between claims and
data
Explanations that
develop the main idea
Sufficient use of
specific textual
references and/or facts,
reasons, examples,
details
Properly integrated
quotes
Inconsistent
integration of quotes
No integration of
quotes
Logical and clear
progression of the
argument for the most
part
Sometimes illogical or
unclear progression
of the argument
Illogical and unclear
progression of the
argument
Inconsistent/unhelpful
topic sentences and
transitions between
points
Usually clear, but
sometimes choppy or
repetitious sentences
Inconsistent/unhelpful
use of topic
sentences and/or
misused/missing
transitions between
points
Some confusing,
choppy, or repetitious
sentences
Basic command of
punctuation, spelling,
and grammar
Errors in punctuation,
grammar, and
spelling
Imprecise or
unnecessary words
Imprecise or
inappropriate words
Falters from APA
guidelines at times
Incorrect
implementation of
APA guidelines
Informed analysis but
not as perceptive as in
“Excellent” category
Informed but
sometimes
undeveloped analysis
Undeveloped and
sometimes flawed
analysis
Fairly original
arguments and
perspectives
Familiar arguments
and perspectives
Summary-driven
perspective
Steady sense of
purpose and
audience
Inconsistent sense of
purpose and
audience
Clear, smoothly flowing
sentences
Consistent
command of
punctuation,
spelling, and
grammar
General command of
punctuation, spelling,
and grammar
Clear sense of
purpose and
audience
Few references
and/or facts, reasons,
examples, details
Well-chosen evidence
Skillful, smoothly
flowing sentences
Original and
insightful
arguments and
perspectives
Generalized textual
references and/or
facts, reasons,
examples, details
Missing or unclear
explanations of the
main idea
Sometimes
inappropriate/ little
evidence chosen
Directive topic
sentences and
transitions between
points
Follows APA
guidelines
Perceptive,
informed analysis
Explanations that
develop the main
idea to a limited
extent
Unclear or missing
connections between
claims and data
Pertinent evidence
chosen
Articulate and
directive
topic sentences
and transitions
between points
Precise and
economical word
usage
Some unclear
connections between
claims and data
Appropriate and
economical word usage
Follows APA guidelines
Consistent sense of
purpose and audience
Poor
No clear thesis
statement
No clear connections
between claims and
data
Unclear/missing main
idea and explanations
Missing textual
references and/or
facts, reasons,
examples, details
Little evidence used
No integration/
missing quotes
No apparent logical
structure
No topic sentences
and misused or
missing transitions
Many choppy,
confusing, or
repetitious sentences
Errors in punctuation,
grammar, and spelling
Many imprecise and
inappropriate words
No use of APA
guidelines
Missing or deeply
flawed analysis
Summary-driven and
repetitive perspective
No sense of purpose
or audience
Final Project
Week 3: Organizing Research Ideas
For your Final Project, you will need to identify the main themes and arguments that you
uncovered while researching your topic. Using the table below, list up to three major
ideas that you discovered about your topic as a result of your research. Then, list some
of the arguments used in support of these ideas, and cite the sources where you found
them. Use APA format to cite the sources, and include at least one book or journal
article (do not limit yourself to Web sites).
Please note that this worksheet is intended to help you organize the main ideas you
have uncovered during your research. The Week 4 worksheet will assist you as you
begin to articulate your own ideas about your topic and plan the arguments you will use
in your final paper.
Main Idea
1.
2.
3.
Supporting Arguments
•
Sources Cited
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
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