Some details involving the submission of contest entries have changed since this news item was posted. Submissions are now due April 21, 2009, in Sutton Hall, Room 452 or 449, to Professor Tawny Holm. Anyone with questions may contact Professor Holm by e-mail at tholm@iup.edu. See more information about the changes in this news post: Changes in Guidelines for Religious Studies Essay Contest.
The R. Thomas Schaub Religious Studies Essay Contest was established in 2005 as a tribute to R. Thomas Schaub, professor emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies at IUP. Professor Schaub taught courses on Biblical Studies and on Palestinian archaeology until his retirement from IUP in January 1999. He is a renowned scholar of the archaeology of the Dead Sea Plains, and continues to work in the field. Professor Schaub’s publications include many articles and volumes on his archaeological projects, one of which is Bab edh-Dhra’: Excavations at the Town Site (1975-1981), published by Eisenbrauns in 2003 (jointly authored with Walter E. Rast). Thus, the Department of Religious Studies is pleased and honored to name after him its scholarly essay contest for students.
How to Get in on the Action
Submissions for this year’s R. Thomas Schaub Religious Studies Essay Contest are now being accepted.
General Guidelines
- The competition is open to all IUP undergraduates, and is not restricted to papers from or related to a course taught by a Religious Studies professor, although such papers are encouraged. Unfortunately, however, only one entry per student can be accepted, so students should please choose their best work. Those desiring advice of any kind are encouraged to discuss their essay with a department professor in advance.
- Style: Five to fifteen pages in length (excluding cover sheet and bibliography), double-spaced, no wider than one-inch margins, 10 or 12 cpi Times font. Use of citations must be consistent throughout, but students may choose from MLA or APA styles.
- Papers will be judged not only on content and the quality of critical arguments but also on style and composition. Religious Studies is a diverse set of disciplines, and it is expected that papers on a variety of topics may be submitted: for example, papers on some aspect of a particular religion (Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.) or on some general approach to religion, philosophy, or sociology of religion, etc. The main expectation, however, is that the paper utilize scholarly methodologies and promote academic discourse.
- The papers will be judged by a panel of Religious Studies faculty members.
- Awards will be made at a gathering of the Department of Religious Studies at the end of the semester. There will be three prizes: $150, $75, and $50 will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners respectively. In addition, the winning essays will be published electronically on the department website (minor revisions may be required).
- Submissions are due on April 21 by 4:00 p.m. in Sutton 452 or 449.
Any questions? Please e-mail Dr.Tawny Holm at tholm@iup.edu.
