Short Essay (800 words, not including abstract and references list)
The purpose of this assignment is to write an argumentative essay, which means that you must develop a clear and challenging thesis concerning your topic and defend it using argumentation and evidence.
The assignment asks you to generate a relatively focused, answerable question. If you are in doubt about whether your topic is too broad, it probably is. You may explore the historical, psychological, scientific, and philosophical issues associated with the topic, but make sure that there is one, and only one thesis—the main point that is being argued and defended.
Essay Topics
Below is a list of somewhat broad prompts. Choose a prompt and then narrow the scope down to a more specific question that can be addressed in 800 words. Part of the assignment is testing your ability to generate a relatively precise and in-depth topic. Your thesis is your answer to the manageable question, and the rest of your essay is your justification for that answer using scholarly arguments we have encountered in lecture and through outside research. Try to anticipate an objection to your view and address it briefly.
“Meditation isn’t that complicated. Just still your mind and observe the present moment as it is.” Critically engage this statement in light of what we have learned about the noble eightfold path.
Is the relentless cycling within Samsara inherently grim? What does the Buddhist framework say? What does your intuition say?
What is the best level of analysis for exploring mindfulness? The brain level? The personal level? The social level? Take a stand and defend it with empirical evidence and theoretical argumentation.
“Modernity is in the process of trivializing mindfulness, just as it does for all effective spiritual practices.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
You may, if you like, write about a different topic, but you must clear this with me ahead of time.
Sources
Your essay must reference at least 5 credible academic sources published in the past 20 years. You may use some of our course readings as sources, but you will have to go beyond them. Excessive reliance on course readings is a liability.
A credible academic source is typically a peer-reviewed journal article or book chapter published by an expert working in a field relevant to your topic. Books written by experts in the field are also permissible as sources, but you must treat them with caution because they are often written for a popular (rather than academic) audience and may present a biased or sensationalist perspective on the issue, even if the author is an expert.
TEDtalks, blog posts government websites, and news/magazine articles do not count as academic sources, even if they are written/presented by experts. You may cite them, but they must not form crucial parts of your argument and they will not count towards your 5 sources.
Formatting
You are free to choose the reference format of your essay, but make sure that you are consistent and that your references are easy to follow. You must provide in-text citation and a full bibliography citation for every claim that makes reference to another person’s work.
Please include a roughly 50-word abstract preceding the essay itself. These 50 words do not count towards the final word count. The abstract should identify your main question, your thesis, and the main way you support your thesis.
Marking Scheme
20% Communication & Clarity: Does your essay follow a logical structure? Is the writing clear?
45% Critical engagement with scholarly literature: Have you become reasonably well-read on the topic you chose? Do you demonstrate understanding of it?
35% Argumentation: Is your thesis clear and challenging? Are your arguments sound (i.e., contain valid reasoning from plausible premises)? Did you consider potential counterarguments?
Penalties
Days late (-3%/day)
Bibliography not alphabetized (-5%)
Fewer than 5 sources (-10%)
Essay 1 Rubric
Essay 1 Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCommunication & Clarity
Does your essay follow a logical structure? Is the writing clear?
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeUse of Scholarly Sources
Have you drawn on at least 5 scholarly sources to support your essay? Do you demonstrate reasonable understanding of the content? Have you engaged with some relevant debates on the topic?
45 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeArgumentation
Is your thesis clear and challenging? Is the scope of the thesis narrow enough to fit the assignment? Do your arguments contain valid reasoning from plausible premises? Did you consider potential counterarguments?
35 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePenalties
– Days late (-3%/day)
– Fewer than 5 sources (-10%)
0 pts
Total Points: 100