PLEASE MAKE SURE TO WRITE ABOUT MOSQUE.
For this paper, you must attend a religious service at a local synagogue, church, or mosque. If the community offers virtual services, as many of them currently do due to the pandemic, you may attend virtually instead. Using your close looking skills, you should describe in detail what you observed at the service. Using sources from the class and outside research, you should then explain the significance of what you observed. For example, if you attended a church service that included the Eucharist, you should explain what this ritual is and its significance, while also describing how the ritual was performed.
Your paper should offer a first-person, narrative account of what you observe. Note, however, that your piece is not simply a reflection on what you saw, but also an analysis. Imagine that you are explaining the service to someone who is completely unfamiliar with it. Walk your reader through what you observed and explain what the various elements of the service mean. Your paper should demonstrate your understanding of the service and the rituals you discuss. If you decided to attend virtually, you should analyze how the virtual experience might differ from the in-person experience.
How to Approach the Paper
Research
Before you to go to the service, do some research about the community you are visiting and the types of things that are likely to happen at the service you are attending. Within the same religion, services may vary: for example, an Orthodox Jewish service may look very different from a Reform Jewish service.
Brainstorm
What do you know about the community or service you have selected based on your research, and on our class readings or discussions? What do you expect to see? Who do you expect will be there? Why do you think they will have come? Keep notes about your ideas and expectations – these will help you write the paper.
Observe
What is the physical space like? Who is there? What do people wear? What happens? Can you identify any prayers or other religious rituals? What language(s) are used? Who participates? Is there a clear leader? Did people use religious objects? What kind and what were they used for? Are you confused by anything?
Write
Describe what you observed. Use reputable secondary sources to explain what is going on in the service (reputable sources include the class readings and discussion, official sources from a specific religious movement, or academic books and articles). Was anything different from what you had expected, based on your research? What was it and why?
General Guidelines
• The paper should be 4-5 pages in length, written in 12 pt font, double-spaced, with 1-in margins. It should include your name and an original title.
• Your paper should include not only first hand observations, but should rely on research to explain the rituals you saw. Sources should be cited using Chicago citation guidelines (notes-bibliography format), and you must include a bibliography. A quick guide to citing in Chicago has been posted to Blackboard.
• Interviewing People: You are not required to interview anyone for this assignment, but you are welcome to report on discussions you had with other people. If you do this, however, you must anonymize the information about the person with whom you spoke. For example, instead of saying “I spoke with Lisa Smith, who has been attending these services for years” you should say “I spoke with a 42-year old woman who has been attended these services for years.” You can also create a fake name for the person, with a footnote saying that the names in your report have been changed.
• Making records: In some spaces, religious norms may prohibit writing or the use of electronics. If someone asks you not write things down, please be respectful. Just do your best to remember what you saw and write it down when you get home. Do not take pictures or record audio or video of any part of the service, or of anyone in attendance, without express permission.
