Read the entirety of Augustine’s Confessions and Natalie Carnes’ Motherhood: A Confession and write a 3,000-word paper which explores them chapter by chapter, drawing out their theological import.
— Students are responsible to consult other sources as needed to ensure responsible interpretation.
— Although these two texts are to be discussed “chapter by chapter”, the purpose of that instruction is to make sure you follow their thematic alignment. When it comes to the arrangement of the paper itself, however, it is acceptable to group these chapters together in larger sections or themes, perhaps even in another order.
— These are lengthy books, and some sections are more difficult than others. Do not feel like you have to discuss everything in them with equal length and intensity. It is acceptable to sum up the highlights of some sections and to spend more space on other sections. However, be sure to address at least one or two themes more closely than others, and do not skim over BOOKS 10-13! Papers may be largely positive but think critically and be sure to comment on at least one of the constructive criticisms (or feminist/parental correctives) supplied by Carnes.
— Papers should conclude with a 200–300-word personal confession that relays an aspect of one’s life journey in theological terms, addressed to God (and hearers) in the mode of prayer. These may be read in class on the last day.
— Research: Do not rely on google or Wikipedia except for the most basic information. Scholarly research makes use of “tertiary” (third-level) resources specific to the discipline to define topics and identify key issues or figures. Good tertiary resources include theological dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, or “companions”, but may also include books that introduce doctrines or issues in theology. Research is typically focussed by selecting relevant “primary sources” to read and interpret closely, and by consulting “secondary sources” in order to gain alternate perspective for the sake of critical and fuller understanding. Please note that librarians are more than happy to help access resources.
Format: Papers should be 1.5- or double-spaced, in 12-point Arial or Calibri font, arranged with reasonable margins and page numbers. No title page is needed: just center your title and name in bold at the top. Footnotes and bibliography should be consistent with the Chicago Manual of Style. Submit papers on Moodle in .docx or .pdf format. — Citation: Papers submitted on Moodle run through Turnitin software which detects phrases that are borrowed from elsewhere. It is plagiarism to use material without attributing its source, and this has serious academic consequences.
