The Prophet – Reflective Essay

I find this assignment a viable alternative to a typical research or term paper assignment. With the objective to challenge stereotypes and preconceptions, this assignment asks students to put themselves in the shoes of an insider (Muslim) and argue from this perspective. The key phrase is “empathetic understanding.” At the same time, this assignment provides students with the opportunity to synthesize the work they have done over the course of the semester while they draw on the various voices (Muslim and non-Muslim alike) encountered in their previous studies for their essay. In addition to the general standards for grading written assignments I developed a list of criteria which the students can use when developing their essay. A description of the assignment as well as a selection of student papers is included.

Description of Assignment

Samples of Student Writings