RLGN 301: Research & Writing for Religious Disciplines – Assessment 3
Assignment: The Research Paper Prospectus & Annotated Bibliography
Course: RLGN 301 – Research & Writing for Religious Disciplines
Due Date: Sunday of Week 5 by 11:59 PM (Local Time)
Length Requirement: 3–5 pages (Prospectus: 1–2 pages; Bibliography: 2–3 pages)
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Format: Current Turabian (Notes-Bibliography Style)
Overview
Academic research in the humanities is an iterative process. Before you begin writing your final 10–12 page research paper, you must demonstrate a mastery of your chosen topic through a formal Prospectus and Annotated Bibliography. This task ensures your research question is sufficiently narrow for a scholarly paper and that you have engaged with the prevailing academic consensus in your field.
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Your department requires that you move beyond mere description and toward a thesis-driven argument. This assignment serves as the blueprint for your final capstone and must be defended through high-quality, peer-reviewed evidence.
Instructions
Complete this assessment in two distinct parts, combined into a single Word document.
Part 1: The Research Prospectus
Develop a formal 500-word introduction to your research project. This must include:
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- The Research Question: State clearly what problem or historical debate you are investigating.
- Working Thesis Statement: Propose a clear, debatable argument that answers your research question.
- Methodology: Explain your approach (e.g., historical-critical, literary-theological, or comparative philosophy).
- Significance: Briefly explain why this topic matters to the study of religion or theology in 2026.
Part 2: The Annotated Bibliography
Provide a list of eight (8) peer-reviewed sources published within the last 15 years (at least three must be from 2020–2026). Each entry must include:
- A full Turabian citation.
- A 100- to 150-word annotation that summarizes the author’s main argument and explains exactly how the source supports or challenges your specific thesis.
Submission Requirements
- Include a formal Turabian title page.
- Use 12pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced (except for annotations, which may be single-spaced).
- Footnotes must be used for any citations within the Prospectus section.
Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary (A) | Developing (C) | Unsatisfactory (F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis & Argument (30%) | Thesis is clear, narrow, and highly debatable. Argument shows sophisticated grasp of the discipline. | Thesis is overly broad or descriptive (e.g., “The history of the Reformation”). Lacks a clear “point” to prove. | Thesis is missing or phrased as a statement of fact rather than an argument. |
| Annotation Quality (40%) | Annotations critically evaluate the source’s bias and utility. Shows high-level engagement with the text. | Annotations are merely summaries of the book/article without connecting them to the student’s project. | Annotations are too short (under 50 words) or missing for several sources. |
| Source Selection (20%) | All sources are high-tier academic journals or university press books. Excellent currency (2020+). | Uses some non-academic sources (blogs, study bibles, or basic websites). | Sources are outdated or not peer-reviewed. |
| Turabian Formatting (10%) | Flawless application of Turabian Notes-Bibliography style, including title page and margins. | Frequent errors in citation formatting (e.g., mixing APA and Turabian). | Citations are missing or completely non-standard. |
The selection of credible sources is the cornerstone of successful religious research because it allows the student to enter into an existing academic conversation rather than working in isolation. A strong prospectus moves past generalities and focuses on a specific tension, such as the tension between Johannine Christology and contemporary pluralism. As demonstrated by Tricia Gates Brown, the nuances of religious identity are often shaped by how specific communities interpret their foundational texts in light of external cultural pressures (Brown 2024). By critiquing and synthesizing these scholarly perspectives, the researcher can establish a robust framework for their own original contribution to the field of biblical studies.
Recommended Resources
- Brown, Tricia Gates. The End of the World as We Know It: Religion and Community in the Modern Age. London: Routledge, 2024. Routledge Link
- Kibbe, Michael. From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research. 2nd Edition. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2023. Publisher Link
- Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 10th Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2024.
- Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean, and Terry Robertson. Your Guide to Writing Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. 4th Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
