RT201: Religion and the Human Quest
Kloos
Midterm exam
Your midterm will consist of 2 parts: a take-home essay, due at the beginning of class on the day of your
midterm exam, and a short in-class quiz on terms.
Part 1: Take-home essay: due at the beginning of class on the day of the midterm
Write a 4-5 page essay (double-spaced, typed, normal font, type, and margins) on the following topic:
 How do Thich Nhat Hanh and Abraham Joshua Heschel find sacredness or holiness in daily life?
Consider how each relates this sense of daily holiness to fundamental beliefs and practices of
Buddhism and Judaism, respectively, and also be clear on how you evaluate the merits of their
ideas.
 Or, come up with a better question comparing Thich Nhat Hanh and Heschel. NOTE: if you
choose this option, you must check with me first for approval.
Have a clear thesis that interprets (not merely restates) the texts, use quotations as evidence to support
your claims, analyze all quotations to show how they support your argument, and use proper citation
style (MLA or Chicago/Turabian).
Part 2: In-class quiz on terms
For each term, write a 1-2 sentence definition, explaining what the term means and how it is significant
in the study of Judaism or Buddhism. I will give you 12 terms on the quiz, and you will define 10 (of your
choice).
Torah
Talmud
Reform
Orthodox
Conservative
Sabbath
Synagogue
Seder/Passover/Pesach
Zionism
Diaspora
Mitzvah/mitzvot (pl.)
Buddha
Siddharta Gautama
Bodhisattva
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
Interdependence
Impermanence
Samsara
Nirvana
Triple Gem
Dharma
Sangha
Theravada