RELS 485-01, Senior Seminar, Spring 2008

Abstract

In 1988 the Rhodes tradition of comprehensive examinations in a student’s major was suspended in favor of the Senior Seminar. These integrative seminars were to focus on the development and practice of skills in analytical discussion, analytical writing, and oral expression, and include formal oral and written presentations. The importance of these seminars was reaffirmed by the college faculty in 2002. The Religious Studies Senior Seminar has been developed to satisfy these requirements and to prepare students to write and defend a Senior Paper that reflects the knowledge and skills expected of a graduating Religious Studies major. The two overarching objectives of this class are: (1) to hone students’ critical thinking, writing, and reading skills through discussion, common reading, and critique of written work; and (2) to guide students through the process of researching, writing, and defending a successful Senior Paper.