religious field research

Write a 5–7 page paper 
(1000–1250 words) about your religious field research into an “unfamiliar” 
religious tradition. 

You are to pick one (1) of the religions studied 
(with which you are not very familiar) and do one of these three (3) things:

• Attend a religious service, or

• Visit a religious education center and interview a member of that faith, 
  or

• Attend a “virtual religious service” and complete additional research (for a 
  list of services, see Appendix A)

The paper will address the following 
points:

• Discuss any misconceptions you had about the religion you researched.

• Analyze how your prior understanding about this religion was altered (if at 
  all) through your encounter.

• Discuss whether you believe misconceptions about other people’s religion are 
  common and explain why or why not.

• Recommend at least one (1) step that could be taken to minimize 
  misconceptions people have about religions not their own.

Keep the 
points to be covered in your paper in mind during your religious field research 
to help guide your encounter. The purpose of your field research (whether actual 
or virtual) is to test your own assumptions about this religion. 

Pay 
attention to what is important to people inside the religion, what they do, what 
they profess, how they act, what they value, what they talk about, and what they 
tell you about their religion. The easiest way to understand what is important 
to someone else is let them tell you about their faith, their traditions, and 
their religious practices. The most important thing to do is to keep an open 
mind and listen. No matter which of the three routes you take for your field 
research, you will be looking for the same information.

A note about attending religious services in 
person: Please keep in mind that if you choose to attend a religious 
service in person, you are a guest and should be as respectful as humanly 
possible. While you may be attending the service from the perspective of an 
objective (and hopefully inquisitive) observer, most of the other people will be 
attending the service as part of their religious practices. Please do the 
following before you go:

• Call the place you wish to attend and ask if it is okay to attend as an 
  observer

• Ask if someone could (or should) act as a host when you attend

• Ask if anyone would be willing to speak with you after the service to 
  explain what happened and to answer a few questions about the basics of the 
  religion

The format of the paper is to be as follows:

• Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font (size 12), one-inch margins on 
  all sides, APA format.

• In-text citations and a References page following APA Style, even if the 
  only source you are using is the textbook. Any other sources must be documented 
  using in-text citations and included on the References page.

• In addition to the five to seven (5-7) pages required, a title page is to be 
  included. The title page is to contain the title of the a