CST 100: Overview of Critical Assignment and Guidelines

Introduction and Overview of CST 100 Critical Assignment

  • Instructor Introduction
    • Name: Dr. Joe Slunaker
    • Course Lead for CST 100, responsible for the course overview of the Bible.
    • Purpose of the Video Series: To provide a step-by-step description of the critical assignment, including writing the paper together with students.
    • Objective: Ensure clarity and prevent speculation on the critical assignment process.

Nature of the Paper

  • Type of Paper:
    • A standard research paper focused on one of the 66 books of the Bible.
  • Bible Structure:
    • The Bible is divided into two halves: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
    • Contains a total of 66 individual books (e.g., Genesis, Matthew, Revelation).
  • Assignment Overview:
    • Students must choose one book and conduct a critical assignment that entails in-depth research.
    • Understanding: Not everyone has extensive Bible reading experience, but it is not a limitation for the project.
    • Comparative Note: It is similar to other academic research assignments across courses regardless of topic.

Purpose of the Assignment

  • Objectives of the Paper:
    • Consolidate the methodologies learned throughout the course.
    • Offer valuable skills for research, data synthesis, and communication that are applicable beyond this course.
    • Preparing students to engage with texts, including the Bible, in future contexts.

Guidelines for the Assignment

  • Three Major "Don'ts":
    • Do Not Look at a Friend's Paper:
    • Explains the prevalence of CST 100 among students at CBU and warns against collaborative shortcuts.
    • Emphasizes consequences of plagiarism, which include:
      • Copying or pasting material from others.
      • Submitting someone else's work as one's own.
      • Seeking guidance from others' papers.
    • Warning on plagiarism software, SafeAssign, and its capability to detect similarities in submissions.
    • Examples of issues resulting from plagiarism, including potential failing grades.
    • Do Not Use Nonacademic Sources:
    • Explanation of the essential use of scholarly or academic sources.
    • Definition: Scholarly sources are peer-reviewed, meaning they have been evaluated by experts and cross-checked for accuracy and scholarly merit.
    • Contrast contrasts with non-academic sources commonly found through simple Google searches.
    • Encouragement to seek out academic resources properly vetted for reliability and credibility.
    • Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute:
    • Time management is crucial; students are advised against procrastination.
    • Critical assignment designed for gradual progress over four or more weeks.
    • Warning about negative consequences of last-minute cramming.

Key Assignment Instructions

  • Access Instructions:
    • Students should refer to the syllabus and Blackboard under week eight learning activities for comprehensive descriptions related to the assignment.
  • Paper Requirements:
    • Focus: An introduction and overview of the selected book from the Bible.
    • Source Requirements:
    • Use at least four non-Internet academic sources, in addition to textbooks (textbooks do not count toward the four).
    • Recommended total of six sources, including textbooks.
    • Length and Format:
    • The paper should be 6-10 pages in length.
    • Requirements include standard formatting with Times New Roman 12-point font, one-inch margins, and a bibliography (not counted in the page total).
    • Formatting Style:
    • Follow modified APA format as indicated in upcoming walkthrough materials.
  • Sections of Paper:
    • The paper will include:
    • Literary Issues: Authorship, date of writing, and context.
    • Literary Structure: Overview of the book's structure and themes.
    • Place in the Storyline: How this book fits within the Bible's narrative.
    • Major Themes and Personal Reflection: Key themes and the student's reflections on them.

Grading Rubric

  • Evaluation Criteria:
    • The grading rubric outlines grading parameters and expectations for:
    • Introduction
    • Structure of the paper
    • Analysis of the storyline
    • Theological insights
    • Personal reflections
    • Specific grade points for structural clarity, length adherence, grammar and spelling correctness, and academic sourcing accuracy.
    • Encourage students to consult the rubric actively and aim for the 'excellent' column to achieve high grades.

Conclusion and Next Steps

  • Recap of key instructions and concept areas for the critical assignment.
  • Anticipation for following videos and instructions on how to select a biblical book for the assignment.