2018 Philosophy and Religion Essay Award Competition

The Department of Philosophy and Religion is pleased to announce our annual essay award
competition. Awards will be given in two categories: Philosophy and Religion. Details for each
are below:

Philosophy Paper
An award will be given for the best paper defending a substantive thesis in any area of philosophy
(theoretical or applied). Papers may be on any topic but should be self-contained. Papers will be
judged by a committee of faculty from the department. The committee will assess the paper on a
number of dimensions including: clarity, rigor, creativity, insight, originality, breadth and depth
of research, accuracy, and comprehension.

Papers need not defend a broad positive thesis (for example, that scientific realism is true/false,
that abortion is permissible/impermissible, or that Utilitarianism is true/false). While these topics
are appropriate, papers may defend much narrower theses (e.g., we should adopt opt-in organ
donation policies to address current organ need, the demandingness objection to Utilitarianism
fails/succeeds, the personhood argument endorsed by so and so is unsound, a particular version of
the no-miracles argument for scientific realism is open to objection…).

Religion Paper
An award will be given for the best critical analysis of a topic in religious studies. Given that
religious studies is a multi-disciplinary field, papers may address religious phenomena from a
variety of methodological and theoretical perspectives. Papers may be on any topic but should be
self-contained. Papers will be judged by a committee of faculty from the department. The
committee will assess the paper on a number of dimensions including: originality, rigor,
appropriate use of materials, appropriate choice and application of theory and methodology,
accuracy of content, clarity of prose and argumentation.

Papers should not be theological, expressing personal views about religious phenomena.

Prizes
The top three papers in each category will be recognized and a prize valued at approximately $300
will be given to the best paper in each category. The prize is still to be determined.

Submission and Other Information

 Who can submit?
o There is no restriction on who can submit for the prizes.
o Do not worry if you aren’t a major, are only a minor or have only taken one or a
few classes.
o If you are thinking of submitting for this prize, it’s probably because you like
thinking about these kinds of issues. Even if you don’t win, you’ll get something
valuable out of the process: you’ll further advance important skills and reflect on
issues you take to be important.
 Submission Deadline
o Submissions must be received by: March 30th at 12 pm
o Decisions will be made by: April 20st
 Word Limit
o Papers are to be between 3000-5000 words
o The total number of words should be included on a title page.

 Abstract
o An abstract (maximum 150 words) should be included at the top of the paper
providing a summary of the content of the paper.

 Style Guide
o Citation style is open, but should be uniform.

 Preparing for Blind Review

o Papers will be evaluated blindly, meaning that students’ identities will be concealed
from the professors evaluating the essays.
o Papers should have a title page that includes the title, author’s name, student ID,
and word count.
o The first page of the paper should include a title, the student’s ID, and an abstract
(maximum 150 words).
o The paper, except for the title page should have no identifying information.

 How to Submit
o Papers can be submitted by email to: k.molongoski@northeastern.edu
o Indicate in the subject which prize you are submitting to. For example:
 Subject: Submission: Philosophy Paper Award Submission
 Subject: Submission: Religion Paper Award Submission