Gods and Humans (HUMA 1165) – Midterm Essays
Instructions:
Answer all three questions, worth 5-pts. each (15 pts. overall). Just like with our weekly writing assignments, there are no right or wrong answers. Essays are judged on how deeply and specifically students engage with our texts and course materials in crafting original, coherent arguments. No outside reading is required. However, if you choose to include ideas from print or online sources, or our discussion forums, such work needs to be cited and in quotations marks to avoid plagiarism.
Save your essays in one document that you upload into Turnitin. Students are only able to submit one file, one time, so be sure you are satisfied before turning in your hard work. Strong essays will be approximately 2-3 double-spaced pages each.
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Midterm Essay Questions
- Forced to live without his loved ones, Job appeals to his God for comfort in an uncertain time. What does Job do to get closer to God? Does he succeed? Why or why not? Compare or contrast Job’s efforts to other people’s struggles for the comforts of community that we’ve discussed in this course.
- With respect to race and gender, why do some theologians believe that changing the ways people think of their gods can lead to positive change? And, how can simple, everyday actions help change the ways people think of their gods?
- In both Buddhism and Islam, we see examples of kindness to strangers. According to some theologians, how can such acts of compassion change the way we see the world? And, how can changes in the way we see the world lead to more acts of compassion?
