Chan Essay Prize

Chan Essay Prize

(Fall 2023) Topic: "Identity and Practice across Religious Boundaries."

The Chan Essay Prize is an annual award of $2500, established in 1987 by the Lionel Chan Family Endowment. To enter, any student at a GTU Member School, Center or Affiliate must submit an original essay, a term paper for a course, or a chapter of a thesis or dissertation, with an introduction and conclusion to frame it as an independent essay. The evaluating criteria are as follows:

  • Genre: Within the specific genre (essay, sermon, term paper, chapter of a larger work), does the entry exhibit excellence?
  • Topic: How well does the topic engage?
  • Creativity/Contribution: given the audience of the genre, how much of an original or creative contribution is made by the paper? Does it offer fresh insights or simply rehash materials already available?

The topic alternates from year to year.  In even-numbered years (Fall 2024), the topic will be "Religion and Economics." In odd-numbered years (Fall 2023), the topic will be: "Identity and Practice across Religious Boundaries: exploring a particular concept, theme, or practice in two or more religions (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, etc.)."

Deadline(s): *September 19, 2024; September 14, 2023

Submissions are due in the GTU Dean's Office no later than 5PM on THURSDAY, September 14, 2023* 
Please fill out this form and upload your submission here:https://forms.gle/3W2evMJeGEeg9myMA