The following essay has to be 1500 words, typed and double-spaced on Microsoft Word.  Please use Times New Roman font, size 12, with reasonable margins.  If your paper is less than 1500 words, I will take off points.

For this paper, I want you to write an essay in which you compare and contrast two of the major religions we have covered this session.  You may choose from Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or Confucianism.  In your essay I want you to explain the major features of the two religions you choose, and how these features are similar or different.  What are the major belief systems of the two religions?  What are their moral codes like?  What is the ultimate goal in the two religions you choose?  In what geographic areas do the two religions you choose predominate, and how have the religions impacted the history and society of those regions?

I don’t want you to just list all the features of one religion and then list all the features of another.  I want you to directly compare and contrast the major facets of the two religions to each other so I can see how the belief systems are different and how in turn these belief systems have created different societies.

When I grade your papers, I will be looking for you to have an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the two religions you are comparing and briefly state how they are similar and different.  Then, the body of your paper should be organized by subject- for example, belief systems, moral codes, belief in god(s), societies where these religions predominate.  In each of these sections, compare the features of the two religions you choose, using many quotes from the readings posted in the modules for those religions- you can use both the Pecorino and the McLean texts.  You are required to have many quotes from the readings illustrating your points.  You only need to use the readings posted in this class for this paper- it is not necessary to use outside sources.  Then, at the end of your paper you should have a brief conclusion summarizing your arguments and stating why you chose the two religions you did.

 Please submit your paper by 11:59pm on August 16^th. Final grades for the course must be submitted shortly after this, so late papers will not be accepted!  Longer papers are ok, but papers shorter than 1500 words will be deducted.  Any material from the readings that is not properly quoted/cited will result in a deduction.  If any material is copy/pasted from the internet, you will receive an F on the paper. 

 If you have any questions, please contact me through Generals Online.  Good luck!

Comparative Essay by John McLean is licensed under CC-BY 4.0