Nov 15, 2013 ... Roose know that he would become “The Unlikely Disciple” when he entered into
this project? Using specific examples from the text, discuss the ...
Eligibility:
Contest is open to new students beginning classes in summer or fall of 2013 only.
Guidelines:
Select ONE of the following writing prompts listed below as the topic for your essay. Length of essay must be between 900-2000 words. Keep in mind the quality of the essay is more important than the quantity. All entries must be submitted electronically as an e-mail attachment using Microsoft Word to
[email protected] Contest Deadline is Friday, November 15, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Winners: Contest winners will receive Gift Cards to the store of their choice.
1st place - $ 150 2nd place - $ 100 3rd place - $ 50
Writing and Grading Guidelines: Submissions for the essay contest should display the following features:
a clear point, showing the significance of the topic a clear focus, developed with details and specifics a mastery of grammar structures voice, reflection, and significance a general understanding of the book Does it answer the chosen prompt?
No one item is more important than any of the others (an equal mixture). Cover Page: The first page of your essay submission should include the following information:
Your First and Last Name Student ID number (this number is printed on the back of your Zip Card) Writing Prompt that you have selected to respond to Date
Writing Prompts: *Select ONE of the following writing prompts as a topic for your essay. 1: Liberty University assumes far more control and influence over their students’ personal and moral lives than other modern universities; this orientation strikes many of us as intrusive and extreme. Generations ago, however, this blending of personal and academic lives of students and faculty was not abnormal. Colleges and universities were expected to play a guiding role in the moral and behavioral development of their students in addition to preparing them academically. Have we lost something by (mostly) deleting this responsibility from university faculty and administration? Or should the university itself have even less jurisdiction than it does? Write an essay in which you argue a thesis that articulates your belief on this topic, using substantial textual evidence from the book to frame your discussion. 2: The plot of autobiographical texts relies, of course, on the events of the author’s life. Typically, an author chooses to write about life events once they have transpired. On the contrary, Kevin Roose set out with some objectives in mind; he was, after all, planning to take an undercover, insider’s look at Liberty University and then write about his experience. While he may have controlled the circumstances that took him to “America’s holiest university,” he never could have predicted the outcome and the events that occurred once he was there. In an essay, explore the impact of the writer’s experience while at Liberty. How would the story have been altered had certain events not transpired; think, for example, of the significance of Falwell’s death. Did Roose know that he would become “The Unlikely Disciple” when he entered into this project? Using specific examples from the text, discuss the manner that the experience changed or sculpted this autobiographical story. 3: Most college students agree that college is a place where one’s intellectual horizons open up, a place where one is encouraged to ask questions and be curious, where one will also be challenged by views that are different from one’s own. What if, however, one doesn’t want to ask questions; what if one doesn’t want to be challenged or consider a different point of view. Can students in college be forced to open up their horizons? Is a diverse education a necessary requirement in colleges? 4: Kevin Roose towards the end of his book says that although he doesn’t always believe in God, he believes in belief. Do you think that this is a message that our generation can find hope in? Do you believe in belief? In what ways you feel that believing in belief can be a positive way of coming to terms with challenges or obstacles in our lives? 5: Kevin Roose in his last meeting with Pastor Seth was pleasantly surprised to hear him say that being a Christian is more about doubt than about dogma. One might say that this can also be true for other belief systems. What do you think is so powerful and constructive about doubt? Can doubt lead us to knowledge? 6: Do you agree with Kevin Roose’s speculation that it’s sort of sad “that most secular colleges have no real substitutes for the kind of ecstatic group activity that involve the whole student body and are enjoyable while sober”? What is it so powerful about collective group activities? Are there any advantages in having collective social, intellectual, and spiritual experiences?
