Scheid, The Gods, the State and the Individual Book Review and Analysis of scholarly argument

Essay 2: Academic book review and analysis of scholarly argument – Scheid (6 pages double-spaced)

• Step one: Familiarize yourself with the genre of the academic book review by reading ten or more reviews written by other scholars in a journal such as Classical Review (link) on the York library system. However, do not read scholarly reviews of Scheid’s own book.
• Step two: Carefully read and study the assigned book (you may omit chapters 3 and 7), paying careful attention to Scheid’s main argumentand how that argument is supported by sub-arguments in the chapters.
• Step three: Write a review essay in which you explain in your own words two things: (1) Scheid’s main arguments or theory (regarding civic religion or polis-religion) as developed throughout the chapters; and, (2) key hypotheses of the alternative scholarly position Scheid refutes.  In the process, you will want to discuss the author’s method or approach and what types of evidence Scheid employs to support his arguments.  Do you find Scheid’s argument convincing or not, and in what ways?  Be sure to provide concrete examples (citing page numbers in parentheses) of the problems or strengths you discuss.
• IMPORTANT:  An academic book review essay is NOT a summary of the content of the book.  The main focus should be on you explaining the purpose and argument of the book in your own words and you should not be frequently quoting the book (even though you will certainly be citing page numbers to support your claims about Scheid’s arguments).