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A 10:002 or 10:003 Unit ~ Cults and Controversy
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Formal Assignments

For the paper and the speech you will draw upon your own study of a cult of your choosing. The religious movements web page in particular should be most helpful, as it contains an alphabetical listing of "new religious movements" with a brief comprehensive outline of each group's beliefs.

In your research and pre-thinking, you will analyze the cult's belief system, rituals, practices, recruitment system (anything you can learn about its means of operation) from the cult's own publications. In your paper, you will do two things: explain why a potential convert would join this particular cult. In your conclusion, you will speculate who (what kind of person) this convert might be.

Some tips:

1) Consider the reasons Gallanter cites for why people join cults.  Think about how the cult you’re studying entices converts by offering them the "benefits of membership" that might be found in any group. However, you should also assume that person does not join a cult solely out of a need to belong, but also because s/he finds that group's particular philosophy or worldview appealing. It might be helpful question to imagine that the potential convert has encountered not only this cult, its conversion tactics and propaganda, but many others.  So you should explain what this cult in particular would offer a potential member.

2) After justifying why a person might join this cult,  speculate (make an educated guess) about who  would join this cult. What might his/her prior history be? Chosen career? Previously held beliefs? You might model your personality profile on those found in Gallanter.

Evaluation Criteria

The Minimum Requirements for this Assignment:

  • submission of topic and peer evaluation
  • the essay will be at least 4 pages in length, with standard font and margins.
  • a title, but no title page (save the trees)
  • a well-chosen topic
  • introduction-opening and thesis statement
  • paragraph breaks, cohesion, organization
  • detail--Show, don’t tell!
  • conclusion-leave the reader with something to think about, namely, speculation on who would join this cult
  • engage the reader--Keep your audience in mind.
  • you will cite at least two sources in the proper format. One source will be a publication from the group itself. The other can be a reading we did in class (i.e from Gallanter). 

    Also include a one-page explanation of how your own beliefs and preconceptions shaped your perspective on this cult.

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