Week 5 Essay: Faith and Innovation
Write a 1,000-word analytical essay exploring how Christian faith informs, challenges, and accelerates innovation in the marketplace. You may draw on course resources and/or credible outside sources. Your paper must follow APA formatting and include in-text citations and a reference list. Please review the grading rubric below.
Academic integrity: Review the Cheating and Plagiarism policy in the course announcements section before submitting.
Submission: Submit via Moodle.
Grading timeline: Please allow 5-10 Business days for grading.
You may choose one approach, or create your own)
- Theology of Innovation: Explain how specific biblical principles (e.g., stewardship, imago Dei, justice, love of neighbor) should guide innovation decisions (problem selection, risk, funding, scaling).
- Case Study: Analyze a company, nonprofit, or entrepreneur whose faith commitments influenced an innovative product or model. Evaluate outcomes (value created, stakeholders affected, trade-offs).
- Issue Analysis: Assess a current innovation trend (AI, circular economy, fintech for inclusion, etc.) through a Christian ethical lens. Offer concrete recommendations for faithful practice.
Essay Requirements
- Length: ~1,000 words (acceptable range: 1,000–1,500 words), not including title page or references. Any length after 1500 words will not be read or counted towards your grade
- Sources: Minimum of 3 credible sources (at least 1 course source and 1 outside source). Ensure Scripture is incorporated within your paper, but does not count toward the minimum sources.
- Use APA: Title page, in-text citations, and reference list. No abstract required.
- Formatting: 12-pt Times New Roman (or 11-pt Calibri), double-spaced, 1" margins, page numbers.
Academic Integrity Reminder
This is an individual project. All writing must be your own.
- Do not copy content from online or AI-generated sources.
- Cite all materials you paraphrase or quote.
- Review the Cheating and Plagiarism policy before submitting.
If you need APA help here is a great link: Purdue OWL APA Guide, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html
Grading Rubric
Essay Requirements Grading Rubric | Points Available |
Paper met minimum word count and substantively covered the topic. | 15 |
The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points. | 15 |
Major points are stated clearly; are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis; and are organized logically. | 10 |
The paper develops a central theme or idea | 10 |
Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently strong, varied sentences. | 10 |
The conclusions are logical, flowing from the body of the work, and reviews the major points. | 10 |
Paragraph transitions are present and logical and maintain the flow throughout the work. | 10 |
Spelling and Grammar are correct. | 5 |
Paper was submitted in APA format to include, title page, main body, and reference list, with a one-inch margin and double-spacing throughout. Times New Roman or Calibri font used. | 5 |
Citations were correctly used in APA format | 5 |
References were correctly used in APA format | 5 |
Total | 100 |