Posted: September 13th, 2017

Shinto and Buddhism in Medieval Japan

Paper, Order, or Assignment Requirements

WRITTEN ESSAYS: “Asian Civilizations to 1500” has a written English component. Thus, students will be required to submit two (2) written essays with topics based on materials assigned by the instructor. The essays should be from 6 to 8 pages long (1500-2000 words), double spaced and written on 8.5″ x 11″ paper, no more than a 1″ margin on all sides, with the font no larger than 12 pts. All work should be written in Standard English, clear and organized, and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Ideas taken from other people’s works should be so acknowledged. This is a humanities-based course. The most common essay format style for footnotes and bibliographies is the Modern Language Association style, or MLA style. It is required that you follow MLA format as set out in the MLA Handbook, A good internet source for this style is found at: https://umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/infolit/media/citing_mla.pdf. Remember that the URL and access date must be included for internet materials. Note: students in the social sciences who are accustomed to using the APA format may do so, provided the APA system is followed correctly and consistently (i.e. no mixing of formats). Failure to adequately document sources using a consistent format will result in a reduced grade or a request for a rewrite.
Since this is a course that meets the University Senate’s W requirement, students must complete all essay assignments with a passing grade to pass the course.

Essay Topics
Essays for Asia 1420 will be on assigned topics which include the use of assigned reading materials. In their essays, students must attempt to answer the question or questions posed in the essay assignment. Assigned reading material must be used in all essays. These reading materials are all available through the University library system, mostly via the electronic data base collection. Lists of these readings will be available on the Desire2Learn internet site for this course. The topics and readings will be introduced and discussed in class.

Students must choose to use at least three of the assigned readings in their essay, but they may use more if they wish. Other materials may not be used. If a student uses material from sources other than the assigned readings they will be penalized or asked to do a rewrite.
Essay topics for this term are: Essay 1: Women and Hinduism
Essay 2: Shinto and Buddhism in Japan