Assessment Instrument No:
1
Marist College Emerald
11 Study of Religion
Nature and Significance of Religion
Term 1 - 2013
Research Assignment
Date Given: Week 3
Draft Due: First lesson Week 6
Date Due: First lesson Week 8
Teachers: Mr A Finlayson and Miss C Morwood
Student Name: _________________________________ Homeroom: _______________
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Type of assessment: Formative
Length/time: 900-1000 words/4 weeks preparation
Criteria Assessed
Knowledge and Understanding
Evaluative Processes
Research and Communication
Grade Allocated
Teachers Comments:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Teachers Signature: _______________________________
Date: __________________________
STUDENT’S UNDERSTANDING OF AUTHENTICITY AND APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION
I, ____________________________________________(student’s name) understand that:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Plagiarism is a serious matter and that I may be penalised if this declaration is false.
If there is doubt about the work being my own, I will be interviewed by my teacher to verify my
understanding of the task/s.
I must acknowledge all materials and sources in the preparation of this material.
To authenticate my research and my work, I have ensured that plans, rough drafts and appropriate
documentation of the writing process have been attached.
Application for extension must be sought before the due date except in exceptional circumstances.
If my assignment is not submitted by the due date, I will be required to submit work on the assignment
during the lesson/s and risk falling behind in new work given.
Student’s signature: ______________________________________ Date __________________
Task:
Religions can be identified and discussed through Ninian Smart’s Seven
Dimensions of Religion. Propose a hypothesis which explains the relationship
between Smart’s Dimensions of Religion and specific religions, based on one
of the topics below.
1. THREE DIMENSIONS AND BUDDHISM
Write a research essay that addresses this task making sure to incorporate the following elements:
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Develop a hypothesis approved by your teacher
Identify the key elements in each of three of Ninian Smart’s Dimensions of
Religion
Explain how each of the three Dimensions could respond to
human’s search for meaning and to the ultimate questions of life
Analyse the application of the three Dimensions chosen to the
religion of Buddhism and defend your hypothesis
Shows effective use of genre and accurate language usage
Includes in-text referencing, an annotated bibliography and
research log which demonstrates the effective use of a wide
variety of source
Criteria
EP
KU
KU
EP
RC
RC
OR
2. ONE DIMENSION APPLIED TO THREE RELIGIONS
(ONE OF THEM MUST BE BUDDHISM)
Write a research essay that addresses this task making sure to incorporate the following elements:
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




Develop a hypothesis approved by your teacher
Identify the key element of one of Ninian Smart’s Dimensions of Religion
Explain how the chosen Dimension could respond to human’s
search for meaning and to the ultimate questions of life.
Analyse the application of the chosen Dimension across the three
religions (one of them must be Buddhism) and defend your
hypothesis
Shows effective use of genre and accurate language usage
Includes in-text referencing, an annotated bibliography and
research log which demonstrates the effective use of a wide
variety of source
Criteria
EP
KU
KU
EP
RC
RC
Your Hypothesis:
Draft: ______________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________
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Final Version: ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Teacher Signature: ___________________________
Glossary of Terms:
Analyse
Divergent
(Criteria Sheet)
Implicit
information
(Criteria Sheet)
Synthesis
Justify
To examine in detail in
order to discover
meaning. To break down
into components
Differing, deviating,
departing from the norm
Absolute, unreserved,
unquestioning (factual)
The combining of
separate elements to
form a coherent whole
To prove to be right or
valid
To make plain or clear
Explain
Diverse (Criteria Having variety
Sheet
Graphically detailed,
Explicit
leaving nothing to the
information
imagination.
To examine and judge
Evaluation
carefully (using evidence)
Criteria: Assessment Instrument No. 1
A
B
C
D
E
Knowledge and Understanding
The student’s work has the following characteristics:
Knowledge and
understanding of key ideas
and concepts about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s),
drawing on a divergent range
of materials, issues and
phenomena in familiar and
unfamiliar contexts.
Knowledge and understanding
of key ideas and concepts
about the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and the
chosen religion(s), drawing on
a diverse range of materials,
issues and phenomena in
familiar and unfamiliar
contexts.
Knowledge and
understanding of key ideas
and concepts about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s),
drawing on a range of
materials and issues in
familiar and unfamiliar
contexts.
Knowledge of ideas and
concepts about the nature
of religion, dimensions of
religion and the chosen
religion(s), drawing on
well-known materials and
issues in familiar contexts.
Awareness of ideas about
the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s),
drawing on materials in
very familiar situations.
Evaluative Processes
The student’s work has the following characteristics:
Critical analysis of diverse
implicit and explicit
information about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s), and
formation of a hypothesis.
Analysis of diverse implicit and
explicit information about the
nature of religion, dimensions
of religion and the chosen
religion(s), and formation of a
hypothesis.
Analysis of explicit
information about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s), and
formation of a
straightforward hypothesis.
Description and scant
analysis of simple and
familiar information about
the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s),
stating positions.
Description of simple and
familiar information about
the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s).
Synthesis of complex and
divergent ideas about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s).
Synthesis of complex ideas
about the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and the
chosen religion(s).
Integration of ideas about
the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s).
Integration of familiar
ideas about the nature of
religion, dimensions of
religion and the chosen
religion(s).
Restatements of
information and opinion.
Evaluation of complex ideas,
texts and approaches, and
testing of a hypothesis,
justified using evidence and
critical reasoning.
Evaluation of ideas and texts
and testing of a hypothesis,
justified using evidence and
plausible reasoning.
Evaluation of ideas, texts and
a hypothesis with basic
justification using evidence.
Evaluation of familiar
information and a given
hypothesis with superficial
justification using opinion
rather than evidence.
Restatements of ideas that
may reflect the topic
rather than use evidence.
Research and Communication
The student’s work has the following characteristics:
Identification of a range of
diverse issues and framing of
well-constructed and
pertinent research
questions.
Identification of a range of
issues and framing of wellconstructed research
questions.
Identification of issues and
framing of relevant research
questions.
Identification of familiar
issues and use of
rudimentary research
questions.
Identification of known
issues and use of
questions.
Evidence of broad and
focused investigations
establishing the validity of a
wide range of diverse
sources in an annotated
bibliography.
Evidence of focused
investigations establishing the
validity of a wide range of
sources in an annotated
bibliography.
Evidence of investigations
establishing the validity of
relevant sources in an
annotated bibliography.
Evidence of investigations
using familiar sources in an
annotated bibliography.
Evidence of use of familiar
sources.
Consistent and effective
presentation of information,
ideas and concepts about
the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s) using a
range of modes and
language with discernment,
for the intended audience.
Effective presentation of
information, ideas and
concepts about the nature of
religion, dimensions of religion
and the chosen religion(s)
using modes and language with
discernment, for the intended
audience.
Presentation of information,
ideas and concepts about
the nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s) using
appropriate modes and
language for the intended
audience.
Presentation of
information about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s)
using modes and language
that may suit for the
intended audience.
Presentation of
information about the
nature of religion,
dimensions of religion and
the chosen religion(s)
using language that may
suit for the intended
audience.