report

Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions 9e (Pearson, 2014)

For this assignment, you are asked to visit a place of worship or religious center during a service, ritual, or instructional session. Choose a tradition that is different (even quite different) from that with which you are familiar or in which you may have been raised. Submit a report (2 pages, typed and double-spaced) in which you consider the following factors in the descriptive analysis of your experience:

1. Initial reactions on arrival at location

2. Ambiance, atmosphere, and aesthetics (location, architecture, furnishings, art or decorative works, etc.)

3. Social context and ethnic or demographic characteristics of the religious group

4. Use of music (instrumental, choral, individual; traditional or contemporary emphasis)

5. Level of formality (or informality) of ritual pattern

6. Emphasis on the spoken word in lecture, homily, or sermon

7. Opportunity for dialogue or participation by attendees

8. Duration of event

9. Reception by members or subsequent follow-up contact

10. Overall impression of the experience

You may choose whatever format you prefer for this report, but all of the above points should be addressed in the report. You may write in the first or third person, or a mix of both; the style of the report may be informal, but work for a continuous narrative rather than brief responses to each of the above items. Think of this as a chance to report this experience in the context of what you have learned in this class. You can feel free to express yourself here without bringing in other sources. Appropriate photo images are welcome.

2 pages