The authors we discussed this semester provide examinations of the four claims of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. These are:
Human beings exist in relation to a Triune God
God’s presence in the world is mediated through nature and reality
Faith and reason are compatible
The dignity of every human being is inviolable and the commitment to justice for the common good is necessary.
Over the course of the semester, you have developed your own thoughts and connections to these claims through the explored thinkers. Please develop a
750-1250 word essay which represents your explanation of one of these claims as supported by a synthesis of three authors from the common readings (ie
only from the RED Book). If considering using the passages from the Bible, you may use the Old Testament and the New Testament as two sources, but you
must use an additional non-biblical source to complete the source requirement. Remember you also don’t have to use the Bible at all if you so choose.
As you are considering the frame of your paper remember that the four fundamental claims served as starting points but your synthesis of material will make
your explanation more specific. You must use textual evidence to support the assertions made in your thesis.
As outlined in the Rubric, students are expected to:
1. Identify a clear thesis statement.
2. Use appropriate content to illustrate the thesis statement.
3. Evaluate/interpret the textual evidence that is presented.
4. Organize and synthesize evidence to present a coherent explanation.
5. Produce a clear, well-organized essay in which sources are cited properly and which conforms
to conventions of standard written English.
Essays should demonstrate strong engagement with the selected common texts and engage in critical analysis of the ideas presented in the texts.
Successful papers must demonstrate strong understanding around the authors’ discussion to one of the above claims and will evaluate, interpret and
synthesize the ideas presented in the chosen texts to provide a clear explanation.
Please use 12 pt Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins on both sides, top and bottom; your paper should be double spaced.
Citations will be clear and a works cited page (not included in your page count) will be found at the back of the paper. Either in-text parenthetical citations or
footnotes are acceptable. You can use whatever method of citation (MLA, APA, Chicago etc) is most comfortable, just make sure you USE them. A great
formatting/citation/work cited resource can be found here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
A rubric is attached and will be used for grading.
Your paper should be uploaded on Blackboard no later than the beginning of the final exam slot. No Late Papers will be accepted. You are responsible for
ensuring a successful submission. If you submit an unreadable file, that file can not be graded and you will receive a zero. Please make sure you are
submitting a BB compatible file. NB PAGES and Google Docs are incompatible. Download your document to .docx or .pdf (this is easily done from the File
menu). If you upload a file that I can not read or comment on, I can not grade it. Therefore you haven’t submitted your paper on time and you will receive a
zero. Make sure your upload is the correct document, is a readable file, and completely uploads before the due date and time deadline. No extensions will be
given, no emailed or printed papers will be accepted. All papers must be submitted through the appropriate Blackboard portal.