Lives of the Saints Guidelines

Lives of the Saints Biography Project Assignment Guidelines

STEP 1: THE RESEARCH

Topics Discussion, Due Week 16:

1.      You should review the list of Saints on the blog, and after doing some basic research, decide which Saint’s life you will be exploring.

 Materials Check, Due Week 17:

1.      You should bring physical or electronic copies of every major text you will be using for your research. This should include at least one full length biography of the Saint, one general history of the Saint’s era or religious context, a primary source (where applicable), a text that explains the Saint’s theology (where applicable), and at least three reliable online resources. Be prepared to explain to me why you think that these resources are reliable or important for your research and how you plan to use the information from that source. If you are unable for any reason to bring the resource itself to class, please bring a list of the full titles or links where applicable to class.  

Research Check, Due Week 18:

1.      This week you should be prepared to discuss what you have learned so far in your research. In particular you should be able to give an overview of the Saint’s life and their importance. Beyond this you should be able to verbally explain their era and context (was it a dangerous time, was there a lot of change, did the Saint live in a godly household, etc.) Next, you should be able to discuss the texts you are using, and what you have learned from them so far. Lastly, you should be able to discuss what you plan to do in the following weeks, including additional reading, new resources you might want to find, etc. This is the ideal moment to ask for help if you are struggling in your research.

STEP 2: THE WRITING

Project requirements: Times New Roman, 12-point, Double Spaced, MLA, Title in bold, include a working bibliography with each section and a final, complete bibliography with the final copy.

I.                   Introduction

A.    Introduction (Draft Due Week 19): 2-7 pages, cite everything (!), include citations for all the sources you will be using in your historiography section, 3-10 quotes from secondary sources.   

1.      Introduction to the Saint: this section should begin with an intriguing or illuminating story drawn from the Saint’s life, or from someone who followed the Saint’s teachings. This story should then be tied into your thesis (i.e. the central idea of your biography, the main argument about who the Saint was, and why their life and ministry is important). From here you will give a broad overview of the Saint’s life and ministry, summed up in a few paragraphs.

2.      Historical Context: To understand anyone, we must first understand their context. What historical forces shaped the Saint’s life, ministry, and theological concerns? Tell the reader a story that explains the major forces of the era, in particular focusing on those which had the greatest direct impact on the Saint’s life and location.

3.      Historiography: An important step in any history is identifying the major sources of your information. This can include primary sources, other biographies, stories, etc. You should identify any primary sources available and especially discuss any texts written closest to the Saint’s life. You should be able to answer the question: how have depictions of the Saint’s life changed over time? Are the oldest sources still considered reliable? Have any scholars tried to discredit those sources? If so why are they problematic? If not, do you consider the sources to be reliable, why? Is there a source that you prefer? Explain that all here. Think of this section as telling a story that narrates what you have learned so far about other histories that have been written before yours. Tell us what you think about them, and explain which you agree with, which you base your opinions on, and if applicable which you do not think reliable, correct, or useful.

4.      Plan of Work: Give an overview of what you will be discussing, reiterate your thesis, and discuss how you will provide evidence to prove that thesis.

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II.                Biography

Biography Section Overview: The three sections within the biography portion of this project should each be in narrative form. Think of them as three chapters in a book, with a plot arc that runs through each. You may interject to offer commentary, or to discuss the implications of an event, but you will primarily be telling a story. Use the Saint’s family background and youth to foreshadow major events in their life and ministry. Use storytelling to show how their life and theology impacted each other.

A.    Biography: Early Life and Religious Calling (Draft Due Week 20): 3-10 pages,

1.      Family History, if available.

2.      Childhood

3.      Young Adult Life

4.      Religious Calling

B.     Biography: Ministry (Draft Due Week 21): 3-10 pages

1.      How the Saint become involved in ministry

2.      In depth discussion of the Saint’s ministry

C.    Biography: Later Life and/or Martyrdom (Draft Due Week 22): 2-7 pages

1.      Later Life

2.      Martyrdom, if applicable

III.             Theology

A.    Theological Importance (Draft Due Week 23): 3-10 pages

1.      Introduction to the Theology Section

A. Contextualize the theological climate of the time period, what were the major disagreements, dangerous heresies, what ideas were emerging as dominant, etc. What were the extra-theological contexts of these debates (politics, geography, etc.)

2.      Summary of the Saint’s theological beliefs or emphases

A.     This section should, where possible, particularly emphasize distinctives. Some Saints will have written treatises on theology, founded a religious order, or combatted a heresy. Some Saints may have a theological legacy rooted in how they lived amongst the poor, created art, or took care of others.   

3.      Analysis of the Saint’s theology

A.    Sermons, if applicable

B.     Other Texts (letters, books, etc.)

C.     Texts written by followers or members of a group run by or inspired by the Saint, if applicable

D.    Theological lessons from the Saint’s way of life, if applicable

E.     Movements inspired by the Saint’s teachings, if applicable

F.      Lasting impacts of the Saint’s theology

4.      Continued role of the Saint’s theology

A.    Discuss the Saint’s ideas or emphases and how they continue to impact our world, highlight any theological lessons that may be learned, critique any problematic views, etc.

IV.             Conclusion

A.    Conclusion (Draft Due Week 24): 2-5 pages

1.      Impact assessment overview

2.      Short term impact (How did the Saint impact the world in their own lifetime?)

3.      Long term impact (How did the Saint impact the world in the long term?)

4.      Contemporary Perspectives (How is the Saint perceived today?)

5.      What lessons can be learned from this Saint’s life?

6.      Conclusion (This should sum up your findings, and demonstrate how you have proven your thesis).

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STEP 3: THE EDITING

Second Drafts Due to Peer Editors, Week 25

1.      The second draft should include all recommended changes from earlier drafts and student-teacher discussions.

2.      Peer editors should check for grammar, spelling, and compliance with the guidelines.

Peer Edits, Due Week 26

1.      Students should make all appropriate peer editor corrections

Final Papers, Due Week 27

1.      Please present your paper in a hard copy form (ensure that your papers are stapled!).  

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