Posted: December 11th, 2022

Touchstone 3: Evaluating the Impact of Religion on Individuals, Society, and the
World

Touchstones are project ( help with nursing paper writing from experts with MSN & DNP degrees)s that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and demonstrate application of
knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it until you have completed the unit’s Milestones. Once you’ve
submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score.
Touchstone 3: Evaluating the Impact of Religion on Individuals, Society, and the
World
ASSIGNMENT: In each of the three units in this course, you have learned about the role of religions in our world. You have already
reflected on some of the major approaches to studying religions, and compared and contrasted two religions. In Unit 3, you have
investigated the impact of religion on individuals and society, including learning about religion’s role in shaping morality and ethics, as
well as ritual and material culture. Finally, you also thought about religion’s influence on government and global affairs.
For your final Touchstone, you will evaluate the impact of religion on individuals, society, and the world.
In a 400-600 word short essay, you will evaluate some of the ways in which religions both unite and divide, using specific examples from
the lessons in Units 1, 2, and 3 to support your conclusions, by responding to this question: How do religions both unite and divide
humanity?
A. Assignment Guidelines
Not Submitted
Submitted Scored
You can work on a Touchstone whenever you want, but
you must complete the previous assessments in the Unit
before you can submit it.
SUBMIT TOUCHSTONE
 It takes 5-7 business days for a Touchstone to be graded once it’s been submitted.
UNIT 3 — TOUCHSTONE 3: Evaluating the Impact of
Religion on Individuals, Society, and the World
SCORE
-/25
DIRECTIONS: Write a short essay of 400-600 words that responds to this question: How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
As you develop your response, you should choose two of the following areas of religious influence from Unit 3 to analyze:
Religion & the Individual
Religions & Society
Morality & Ethics
Ritual & Material Culture
Religion in Government
Religion in Global Affairs
Your short essay should include four parts:
Briefly introduce your topic (sample nursing essay examples by the best nursing assignment writing service) and develop a clear and succinct response to the question: How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
Support your response by analyzing the first area of religious influence that you have selected from Unit 3. Use at least two specific
examples from the lessons in any unit in your analysis.
Support your response by analyzing the second area of religious influence that you have selected from Unit 3. Use at least two specific
examples from the lessons in any unit in your analysis.
Briefly summarize and conclude your short essay.
You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of
the tutorial and use the following format (using Sophia’s Primal Religions tutorial as an example):
In-text citation: (Primal Religions, n.d.)
Reference: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.
https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/primal-religions-2
Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
❒ Have you chosen two areas of religious influence from Unit 3 to analyze?
❒ Drawing on these areas of influence, have you written a clear and succinct response to the question: How do religions both unite and
divide humanity?
❒ Have you supported your response by using at least two specific examples from the lessons in any unit, related to the first area of
religious influence that you selected?
❒ Have you supported your response by using at least two specific examples from the lessons in any unit, related to the second area of
religious influence that you selected?
❒ Have you ensured that your evidence supports your initial response? If not, now is a good time to go back and revise your response.
❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?
❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?
❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?
B. Rubric
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement
(60%)
Non-Performance
(0%)
Question Response (5
points)
Essay provides a clear and
thoughtful response to the
prompt.
Essay develops a clear and
succinct response to the
question prompt, and considers
how religions both unite and
divide.
Essay develops a response to
the question prompt, but may
only consider how religion unites
or only how it it divides.
Essay develops a response to the
question prompt, but the response
may lack clarity and demonstrate a
limited understanding of the
content.
Essay does not respond to the
question prompt, or response
is highly irrelevant.
Assessment of Religious
Influence (1) (5 points)
Essay evaluates a first area of
religious influence in support
of the response.
Essay evaluates the area of
religious influence and its effect
on uniting or dividing humanity.
The analysis fully supports the
response.
Essay evaluates the area of
religious influence and its effect
on uniting or dividing humanity.
The analysis may only weakly
support the response.
Essay minimally or inaccurately
evaluates the area of religious
influence and its effect on uniting
or dividing humanity, and/or no
connection to the response is
made.
Essay does not identify or
evaluate an area of religious
influence and its effect on
uniting or dividing humanity.
Assessment of Religious
Influence (2) (5 points)
Essay evaluates a second
area of religious influence in
support of the response.
Essay evaluates the area of
religious influence and its effect
on uniting or dividing humanity.
The analysis fully supports the
response.
Essay evaluates the area of
religious influence and its effect
on uniting or dividing humanity.
The analysis may only weakly
support the response.
Essay minimally or inaccurately
evaluates the area of religious
influence and its effect on uniting
or dividing humanity, and/or no
connection to the response is
made.
Essay does not identify or
evaluate an area of religious
influence and its effect on
uniting or dividing humanity.
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement
(60%)
Non-Performance
(0%)
Use of Evidence (5 points)
Essay uses specific examples
that support the response.
At least 4 specific examples
from the lessons in Unit 3 are
used to support the response.
Examples are cited
appropriately.
2-3 specific examples from the
lessons in Unit 3 are used to
support the response. Examples
are cited appropriately.
At least 1 specific example from
the lessons in Unit 3 is used to
support the response.
No specific examples from the
lessons in Unit 3 are used to
support the response.
Conventions (4 points)
Essay follows conventions for
standard written English.
There are one or no errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization.
There are minor errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that do not
impede readability.
There are frequent errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that impede
readability.
There are consistent errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization that
significantly impede
readability.
Meets Requirements (1
point)
Submission meets formatting
requirements, including 12-
point font, double-spacing,
and word count.
All requirements for formatting
and length are met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are mostly met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are somewhat met.
Requirements for formatting
and length are not met at all.
C. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
Composition must be between 400-600 words.
Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
In-text citations should use this style: (National Religions, n.d.)
References should use this style: (n.d.). National Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.
https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit3/study-guide/8190/national-religions-2
About Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use
© 2022 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC.
Touchstones are project ( help with nursing paper writing from experts with MSN & DNP degrees)s that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and demonstrate application of
knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it until you have completed the unit’s Milestones. Once you’ve
submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score.
Touchstone 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions
ASSIGNMENT: In this unit, you learned some of the reasons for studying religion. You also learned that religion is universally
recognizable, yet difficult to define. A narrow definition of religion that ties it to a belief in and worship of a higher, supernatural power, can
exclude religions like Buddhism. On the other hand, definitions of religion that eliminate mention of the otherworldly or divine by equating
it simply with “faith” or “belief” yield an understanding that is overly-broad.
Due to the challenges of studying religion, various methodologies have arisen including: phenomenology, theology, historical
approaches, comparison, philosophy, and sociology. This Touchstone gives you an opportunity to reflect on these major approaches to
studying religion.
In a 400-600 word short essay, you will explain the difficulties involved in defining religion. Then you will select one method for studying
religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking, and explain its strengths and weaknesses.
A. Assignment Guidelines
Not Submitted
Submitted Scored
When you’re ready to upload your document, click here. SUBMIT TOUCHSTONE
 It takes 5-7 business days for a Touchstone to be graded once it’s been submitted.
UNIT 1 — TOUCHSTONE 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches
to Studying Religions
SCORE
-/25
DIRECTIONS: Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define. Review the lessons in Unit 1 as you consider your
response. Then, select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and explain what you believe to be its
strengths and weaknesses.
Your short essay should include four parts:
Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define.
Select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and summarize the approach in your own words.
Explain a strength of this approach to studying religion.
Explain a weakness of this approach to studying religion.
The methods for studying religion discussed in Unit 1 include:
Phenomenology
Theology
Historical Approaches
Comparative Religion
Philosophy of Religion
Sociology of Religion
As you develop your reflection, be sure to engage with the course material from Unit 1. You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to
support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the lesson and use the following format:
In-text citation: (Primal Religions, n.d.)
Reference: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.
https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/primal-religions-2
Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
❒ Have you explained two reasons why religion is difficult to define, in your own words?
❒ Have you selected a method for studying religion from Unit 1 and summarized the approach?
❒ Have you explained a strength and a weakness of this approach to studying religion?
❒ Does your short essay demonstrate engagement with the course material from Unit 1?
❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?
❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?
❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?
B. Rubric
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement
(60%)
Non-Performance
(0%)
Reflects on the Definition
of Religion
Essay reflects on the difficulty
of defining religion.
Essay offers a clear discussion
of two reasons why religion is
difficult to define.
Essay offers a clear discussion
of at least one reason why
religion is difficult to define.
Essay offers a discussion of at
least one reason why religion is
difficult to define, but discussion
may be unclear or vague.
Essay does not attempt to reflect
on the difficulty of defining
religion.
Summarizes a Method for
Studying Religion
Essay selects and
summarizes a method for
studying religion.
Essay selects a method for
studying religion and clearly
and accurately summarizes it.
Engagement with course
material is evident.
Essay selects a method for
studying religion and
summarizes it. Engagement with
course material is less evident.
Essay selects a method for
studying religion and attempts to
summarize it, but summary may
be inaccurate or unclear.
Essay does not select or
summarize a method for studying
religion.
Reflects on a Strength of
the Method
Essay reflects on a strength
of the selected method for
studying religion.
Essay demonstrates insightful
reflection on a strength of the
method. Engagement with
course material is evident.
Essay demonstrates a more
superficial reflection on a
strength of the method.
Engagement with course
material is less evident.
Essay demonstrates a more
superficial reflection on a
strength of the method. No
engagement with course
material is evident.
Essay does not attempt to reflect
on the strengths of any method
for studying religion.
Reflects on a Weakness of
the Method
Essay reflects on a weakness
of the selected method for
studying religion.
Essay demonstrates insightful
reflection on a weakness of the
method. Engagement with
course material is evident.
Essay demonstrates a more
superficial reflection on a
weakness of the method.
Engagement with course
material is less evident.
Essay demonstrates a more
superficial reflection on a
weakness of the method.
Engagement with course
material is less evident.
Essay does not attempt to reflect
on the weaknesses of any
method for studying religion.
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement
(60%)
Non-Performance
(0%)
Conventions
Submission follows
conventions for standard
written English.
There are one or no errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization. Examples
are cited appropriately.
There are minor errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that do not
impede readability. Examples
are cited appropriately.
There are frequent errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that impede
readability. Examples may not be
cited appropriately.
There are consistent errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that
significantly impede readability.
Examples are not cited
appropriately.
Meets requirements
Submission meets formatting
requirements, including 12-
point font, double-spacing,
and word count.
All requirements for formatting
and length are met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are mostly met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are somewhat met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are not met at all.
C. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
Composition must be between 400-600 words.
Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
In-text citations should use this style: (Primal Religions, n.d.)
References should use this style: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.
https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/primal-religions-2
About Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use
© 2022 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC.
Touchstones are project ( help with nursing paper writing from experts with MSN & DNP degrees)s that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and demonstrate application of
knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it until you have completed the unit’s Milestones. Once you’ve
submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score.
Touchstone 2: Comparing and Contrasting the Common Elements of Religions
ASSIGNMENT: For this Touchstone, you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of religions so far by comparing and
contrasting two of the world’s religions.
In a 400-600 word short essay, you will compare and contrast one “eastern” religion and one “western” religion discussed so far in this
course. Using specific examples from the lessons in Unit 1 and Unit 2 to support your conclusions, you will analyze some of the ways in
which these religions are both similar and different.
A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Select one “eastern” religion and one “western” religion discussed so far in this course. Review the lessons in Unit 1 and Unit 2
as you consider how these religions are both similar and different.
Your short essay should include four parts:
Briefly introduce the two religions you have selected to compare and contrast.
Not Submitted
Submitted Scored
When you’re ready to upload your document, click here. SUBMIT TOUCHSTONE
 It takes 5-7 business days for a Touchstone to be graded once it’s been submitted.
UNIT 2 — TOUCHSTONE 2: Comparing and Contrasting the
Common Elements of Religions
SCORE
-/25
Identify and explain at least two commonalities between these two religions, using specific examples from the lessons.
Identify and explain at least two differences between these two religions, using specific examples from the lessons.
Briefly summarize & conclude your short essay. In your conclusion, explain what we can learn about religions in general by noticing both
their similarities and differences.
As you develop your response, you should compare or contrast at least one example from each of the following elements of religion:
Historical & geographic origins
Core beliefs & doctrines
Core rituals & practices
Important texts & narratives
Your examples should be specific, and should cite the lesson from which your information comes, using in-text citations. Citations should use
this style: (Monotheism, n.d.) or (Primal Religions, n.d.).
Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
❒ Have you selected one “eastern” religion and one “western religion” discussed so far in this course?
❒ Have you briefly introduced the two religions you selected?
❒ Have you identified and explained at least two commonalities between these religions?
❒ Have you identified and explained at least two differences between these religions?
❒ Have you included at least one example from each of the given elements of religion: historical & geographic origins; core beliefs &
doctrines; core rituals & practices; and important texts & narratives?
❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?
❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?
❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?
B. Rubric
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement
(60%)
Non-Performance
(0%)
Selection of Religions
Essay identifies an “eastern”
and a “western” religion
discussed in the course.
Essay correctly identifies an
“eastern” religion and a
“western” religion to compare
and contrast, and accurately
describes both.
Essay correctly identifies an
“eastern” religion and a
“western” religion to compare
and contrast, but may describe
one or both less accurately.
Essay may incorrectly categorize
religions as “eastern” or
“western,” or may provide a
markedly inaccurate description of
one or both.
Essay fails to identify an
“eastern” religion and a
“western” religion to compare
and contrast, or to provide any
description of either.
Analysis of Similarities
(Comparison)
Essay analyzes similarities
between religions and
provides specific examples
that support the analysis.
Essay accurately identifies and
explains at least two similarities
between religions, using at least
two specific examples from the
lessons as support.
Essay accurately identifies and
explains at least two similarities
between religions, using at
least 1 specific example from
the lesson as support.
Essay accurately identifies and
explains only one similarity
between religions, and/or no
specific examples from the lesson
are used as support.
Essay does not accurately
identify and explain similarities
between religions.
Analysis of Differences
(Contrast)
Essay analyzes differences
between religions and
provides specific examples
that support the analysis.
Essay accurately identifies and
explains at least two differences
between religions, using at least
2 specific examples from the
lessons as support.
Essay accurately identifies and
explains at least two differences
between religions, using at
least 1 specific example from
the lessons as support.
Essay accurately identifies and
explains only one difference
between religions is accurately
identified and explained, or no
specific examples from the lesson
are used as support.
Essay does not accurately
identify and explain differences
between religions.
Elements of Religion
Essay draws on disparate
elements of religion for
analysis.
Essay describes examples from
each of the four given elements
of religion:
-historical & geographic origins
-core beliefs & doctrines
-core rituals & practices
-important texts & narratives
Essay describes examples from
three of the four given elements
of religion:
-historical & geographic origins
-core beliefs & doctrines
-core rituals & practices
-important texts & narratives
Essay describes examples from
one or two of the four given
elements of religion:
-historical & geographic origins
-core beliefs & doctrines
-core rituals & practices
-important texts & narratives
Essay does not describe
examples from any of the four
four given elements of religion:
-historical & geographic origins
-core beliefs & doctrines
-core rituals & practices
-important texts & narratives
Conventions
Essay follows conventions
for standard written English.
There are one or no errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization. Examples are
cited appropriately.
There are minor errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that do not
impede readability. Examples
are cited appropriately.
There are frequent errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that impede
readability. Examples may not be
cited appropriately.
There are consistent errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization that
significantly impede readability.
Examples are not cited
appropriately.
Advanced (100%) Proficient (80%) Needs Improvement
(60%)
Non-Performance
(0%)
Meets requirements
Submission meets formatting
requirements, including 12-
point font, double-spacing,
and word count.
All requirements for formatting
and length are met.
Requirements for formatting
and length are mostly met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are somewhat met.
Requirements for formatting and
length are not met at all.
C. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
Composition must be between 400-600 words.
Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
In-text citations should use this style: (Monotheism, n.d.)
References should use this style: (n.d.). Monotheism [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning.
https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit2/study-guide/8161/monotheism-2
About Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use
© 2022 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC.

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