Exam 1
Before responding to the questions, read them carefully. Make sure you understand what it is you are being asked to write about. Consult the “Exams” description on page 6 of the syllabus. Item #5 includes a list of expectations I have for exam responses.
Please observe the following guidelines:
- Essay #1
- 100 points possible
- Length: Two pages minimum (double spaced).
- Font: Calibri (Body)/ 12 point
- Style Manual: Turabian, Author-Date Style (just like all other papers in the class)
- Essay #2
- 100 points possible
- Length: Two pages minimum (double spaced)
- Font: Calibri (Body)/ 12 point
- Style Manual: Turabian, Author-Date Style (just like all other papers in the class)
- Submission Guidelines:
- Put your name on the document (upper left-hand corner).
- Identify each response in the document (Essay #1, Essay #2, Extra Credit Essay) so I can tell which response I’m reading.
[See the Next Page for Essay #1]
Essay #1
One approach to the study of civil religion involves an examination of how political philosophers have dealt with the problem of religion and politics. Indeed, as Ronald Beiner argues in his book, Civil Religion, “Nevertheless, even an interest in politics and political philosophy obliges one to be at least indirectly interested in religion” (Beiner 2011, 3). With this in mind, write a response to the following questions. Your response should demonstrate a careful reading of Beiner’s text.
- Regarding Beiner’s approach to civil religion: (1) Discuss the problem that arises when religion and politics each try to pursue their goals and assert their authority in society. (2) Explain each part of what Beiner calls a “three-way dialogue” (Beiner 2011, 1). Specifically, how do religion, civil religion, and liberalism differ in their approaches to solving the problem of religion and politics?
- Choose ONE of the political philosophers below and explain his solution to the problem of religion and politics:
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Niccolo Machiavelli
- Thomas Hobbes
- Baruch Spinoza
- John Locke
Essay #2
In the introduction to his book, American Covenant, Philip Gorski identifies a problem at the heart of American society. He then provides an overview of his solution to that problem. With this in mind, write a response to the following questions. Your response should demonstrate a careful reading of Gorski’s text.
- What is the problem that must be solved?
- When compared to the alternative solutions, why is civil religion the best?
- Choose ONE of the chapters below. Summarize its main points and describe how it helps to defend his argument about civil religion as a solution.
- Chapter 1, “The Civil Religious Tradition and Its Rivals”
- Chapter 2, “The Hebraic Moment: The New England Puritans”
- Chapter 3, “Hebraic Republicanism: The American Revolution”
