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Assignment:
Your 2000- 2500 word final paper is an opportunity to delve deeper into one topic in the area of transpersonal psychology and to express yourself both
analytically and creatively. By now, you have cleared your choice of topic with your instructor and gathered appropriate references from your course
reading and additional library research, specific to your topic—at least two references should be obtained from your own database search You may
weave-in your transpersonal practice experience and life experience at large; incorporate creative expression, and exercise discerning observation as to
what aspects of your learning in this course were most meaningful to you and inspired you to research further.
In constructing the outline for your paper, consider a theme or a thread of discussion you wish to communicate with the reader. Don’t assume your
reader knows the definition of terms, such as transpersonal, meditation, creativity, or embodiment. Explain what you mean by using such terms and
provide appropriate citations to back-up your statements, whether in agreement or contrast to your views. Take this opportunity to advance your own
understanding and make discoveries while in the process of constructing your paper. Incorporate creative activities and images of creative expression if
applicable.
Papers must be consistent with ITP/APA Writing Style, based on the 7th Edition of the APA Publication Manual, and with minor modifications as
outlined in the ITP Writing & Style.
Directions:
Use this form to self-assess your paper before you submit it to your instructor. Carefully discern if your paper can use further
editing, revisions, sections rewritten, elements added or omitted, etc.
Your instructor will use this rubric as well, to provide you with specific feedback that will help you with future writing.
1 Rubric developed by N. Rowe, Dec. 2010, Revised: March 2022
Topic Paper – Assignment and Rubric1
MTP 7403– Introduction to Transpersonal Theory - March, 2022
Criteria Noteworthy Edit/Revise if: Re-examine/Redo if:
Content: The thesis or
central message of the
paper and its applicability
to the course content.
• Focused content in an area of
transpersonal theory.
• Incorporates experiential
knowledge gained through
contemplation, embodiment, or
creative explorations.
• The content is too broad for the
scope of the paper, statements are
too general, and don’t all
contribute to a greater
understanding of the paper’s topic.
• Demonstrates initial
understanding of transpersonal
theory and experiential knowing,
but lacks integration of the two.
• Unfocused. Difficult to find a
central thesis or message.
• Does not bring forth understanding
of paper’s topic and its
applicability to transpersonal
theory.
• Does not bring forth experiential
knowing as means for integrating
theoretical learning.
Reflective Scholarship:
The ability to integrate
internal processes (e.g.,
thoughts and feelings)
with carefully selected,
relevant, scholarly
contribution.
• Deeply thoughtful; filled with
personal insights.
• Balances library research, with
personal voice.
• Responsive rather than reactive by
weaving one’s own, unique
perspective with existing points of
view rather than merely agreeing
or disagreeing with them.
• Explores assumptions and willing
to expand one’s own perspective
and opinions.
• Can enhance the skill of
incorporating library research and
personal knowing in ways that
sustain the scholarly nature of the
paper without loosing connection
to self (e.g., excessive quotes, on
one hand, or insufficient citations
on the other).
• Too focused on argument, or
making a point, rather than on
informing and engaging the reader
regarding the complexity of the
paper’s topic.
•
• Demonstrates little thought about
the topic.
• Dose not bridge research with
personal insight.
• Does not bring own feelings or
perspectives into the discussion.
• Library research is lacking in
diversity and breadth (e.g., only
one perspective is presented).
Application: The capacity
to incorporate recently
acquired experiential and
scholarly learning into an
existing or new area of
life, professional pursuit,
or transpersonal practice.
• Applies newly acquired knowledge
and personal experience in a
meaningful way, which focuses on
the topic and question.
• Makes connections between new
learning and personal,
transpersonal, and professional
applications.
• Could apply the information in a
more substantial way.
• Only a limited amount of evidence
of how this topic is useful to either
personal or professional
aspirations is demonstrated.
• Makes no attempt to apply
information in a meaningful way to
personal life, transpersonal
practices, or professional pursuits.
Criteria Noteworthy Edit/Revise if: Re-examine/Redo if:
Originality/
Creativity:
Offering something that
departs from existing
literature and practices,
unique to the writer, and
original in the field of
application.
• The writer offers a unique
perspective on the paper’s topic.
• Provides a meaningful way to
express authentic voice, which
makes an original contribution to
the field of application.
• Could bring more personal voice
and unique perspective into the
paper.
• Could further explore one’s
original contribution to the field of
application.
• No attempt to provide a unique
perspective on topic.
• Does not include personal voice or
shares a unique point of view.
Written Expression: The
clear and accurate use of
the English language in an
engaging and flowing
manner that serves the
melding of personal and
scholarly writing styles.
Consult the ITP Writing
Style Manual.
? Unity: Sentences and paragraphs
are focused around a central point.
? Clarity: Statements are clear and
coherent, well organized; one
section/paragraph leads to the
next.
? Style: Fluid blending of personal
and scholarly writing styles.
? Spelling. Free of spelling errors;
Follows conventions of the English
language.
? Can use further editing for
accuracy of meaning, clarity,
grammar, or punctuation.
? Is fairly focused but could be
tightened a bit more fully.
? Organization can be clearer.
Doesn’t follow logical order.
? Personal and scholarly writing are
present, but are not well melded
(i.e., the transition between
citation and personal statements
are not clear as to what is cited and
what is stated by the author).
? Some spelling errors.
? Sentences/paragraphs/sections
are not focused around a central
point.
? Unclear as to what the author is
trying to say.
? Paper is not organized in a flowing
manner.
? Has many spelling errors.
? Has numerous patterns of
grammatical/punctuation errors.
APA Style: Adhering to
the writing style defined
by the American
Psychological Association
(see APA Publication
Manual 7th edition)
? Follows the conventions of APA
style for: a) headings and
subheadings, b) citations, and d)
references.
A few APA errors found in:
? headings/subheadings
? Citations
? References
Please go back and check for accuracy.
The following must be redone to meet
APA standards:
? Headings/subheadings
? Citations
?
? References
Other: What strengths do
you feel you bring into
this paper that are not
mentioned above.
List strengths here:
Additional Comments: