Due in class Monday, Jan. 9. 4+ pages, 1000+ words. MARKED Stage 3 draft stapled under Stage 4 (final draft).

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

-- T.S. Eliot, The Four Quartets

ASSIGNMENT: Describe in detail an aspect of your experience or your culture, and explain how it might be viewed from a Zen practitioner's perspective. Refer to sources read, citing conventionally, i.e., (Suzuki p. 29); (Capra, handout p. 5); (parable, handout p. 10); (Barrett, handout p. 16).

Don't try to explain too broad an aspect of your experience, and don't resort to sweeping generalizations ("Americans are very materialistic"; "Lakesiders are too busy.") Remember also that the paper shouldn't offer obvious advice, e.g.,"We should try to become less grasping and greedy, and enjoy the present moment" -- advice is alien to the Zen mind.

In the past, students have discussed subjects as diverse as their faith in and practice of Judaism; some new insights into American advertising; a different way they've come to see art; their inquiry into the personal relevance of one of Buddha's Eight Noble Truths, such as the path of Right Action (ahimsa, or living harmlessly).
 
 

EVALUATION CRITERIA (equal emphasis):

(1) ZEN SUBSTANCE: How accurate, extensive, coherent, and personally well assimilated is the knowledge of Zen shown in the paper?

(2) THE THINKING, OVERALL: How successfully is this knowledge used, along with specific perceptions of your personal life and your culture, so that each is illuminated by the other? In other words, how thoroughly and well have you discussed your topic?

(3) EXECUTION: Is the essay well written and well edited? Does the discussion develop coherently? Do voice and expression engage the reader? Is ms done conventionally? Do markings on Stage 3 exhibit effective editing strategies?
 
 

Format of final ms:

-- double-spaced typing (or singlespaced handwriting) on one side of the page.

-- one-inch margins on 4 sides of each page.

-- pages (except p. l) are numbered.

-- essay has a title.

-- citations are in conventional form, i.e., abbreviated parenthetical references within or at the ends of your sentences:

(Capra, handout, 5), (parable, handout, 10), (Barrett, handout, 17), (Suzuki, 110).
 
 

*SEE ME IF THERE'S A DIFFERENT TOPIC YOU'D LIKE TO WORK ON. --jl