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Foundations of Law

PLST-205

CG Section 8WK 01/03/2020 to 06/11/2020 Modified 01/13/2023  Course Description

An introduction to the theological and philosophical foundations of law, including the Augustinian concept of antithetical thinking; the Creator/creature distinction; the development of higher/natural law thinking; the basis for the distinction between the judicial and prudential methods of analysis; the origins and jurisdictional boundaries of family, church, and state: the schools of jurisprudence; and the biblical basis for the fundamental principles underlying the several courses that comprise the basic curriculum.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

In law schools throughout this country, students are taught tertiary law, a constitutional misnomer, to the exclusion of primary and secondary law. Students are taught the law divorced from its historical meaning and Christian foundation. When its rich history is ignored or re-written and the Judeo-Christian tradition of law and justice is abandoned, law becomes a cold instrument of power – a mere utilitarian tool. Manifestations of specific laws are only as good as the hub to which they are connected. A proper worldview is important to the study and practice of law because the manifestations of law (sometimes referred to as “positive” law) are only as grounded as the first principles that form the basis of a person’s worldview.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Identify the distinctives of a Christian worldview.

B. Explain the relevance of the cultural mandate to those involved in the legal profession.

C. Identify the obstacles to formation and ratification of the Constitution.

D. Describe the significant role religion played in forming the United States of America.

E. Describe the biblical roots of American constitutional government.

F. Explain how the modern judiciary undermines the Constitution and our liberties.

G. Explain how Congress has used the General Welfare clause to improperly expand its authority.

H. Identify the errors in the proposition that there is a “wall of separation” between church and state.

I. Identify appropriate responses to the secular attacks on the Constitution.  Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

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C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and- computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. LU Online Writing Center (https://www.liberty.edu/online/casas/writing-center/)

 Course Assignments

  Textbook readings and lecture presentations Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student- expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. The student will complete 4 Discussions in this course. You will post one thread of at least 250-300 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of the assigned Module: Week. The student must then post 2 of at least 100-150 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned Module: Week. For each thread, the student must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly sources/citations in Bluebook format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly source/citation in Bluebook format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, assigned reading, and the Bible.

Quizzes (4)

There will be 3 open-book, open-note quizzes with multiple-choice and true/false questions. Students will be given 1 hour to complete a 25-question quiz by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module 3: Week 3, Module 5: Week 5, and Module 7: Week 7.

Quiz: Foundational Principles will cover the course material from Module 1: Week 1 – Module 3: Week 3.

Quiz: Formation of American and its Biblical Roots will cover the course material from Module 4: Week 4 – Module 5: Week 5. Quiz: Separation of Power and the U.S. Constitution will cover the course material from Module 6: Week 6 – Module 7: Week 7.

Quiz: Final Exam Essay will cover the course material from Module 1: Week 1 – Module 8: Week 8. The quiz will consist of 2 essay questions. Each essay must be at least 250-300 words. The student will support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly sources/citations in Bluebook format. The student will have two hours to complete the Quiz: Final Exam Essay.

Essay Assignments (3)

There will be 3 short essays of 400–550 words each, completed in Bluebook format. A minimum of 2 sources must be cited for each essay.

 Course Grading

   Course Requirements Checklist 10

Discussions (4 at 75 pts ea) 300

Essay Assignments (3 at 150 pts ea) 450

Quizzes (3 at 50 pts ea) 150

 Quiz: Final Exam Essay 100

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Total 1010

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

                    ABCDF

 3 of 5

  900-1010 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

 For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

     When Topic Notes

  Course Overview Student Acknowledgements

Apply

Apply

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussion: Studying Law from a Distinctively Christian Perspective

Discussion: The Constitutional Convention

 Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

    Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

    Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

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    Apply

Discussion: Religion as our Nation’s Foundational Principles

Quiz: Foundational Principles

 Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Apply

Essay: Morality, Knowledge, and Religion Assignment

Apply

Essay: Internal Principles Assignment

Apply

Quiz: Final Exam Essay

NOTE: Each course module: week (except Module 1: Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module: week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

  Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

  Apply

Discussion: Biblical Roots of the United States Constitution

Quiz: Formation of America and its Biblical Roots

Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 5 items Watch: 1 item

   Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

  Apply

Essay: Separation of Powers Assignment

Quiz: Separation of Powers and the U.S. Constitution

Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

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