Research Paper

Overview

In conjunction with Module/Week 8 of this course, you will be required to draft a Research Paper, which acts as a summation of the course materials and themes.

Be sure to read closely the grading rubric for the assignment and note that at least 20 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed academic journal articles or books published by university presses) are required, which should include the course readings for the included Natural Law thinkers.

Scriptural excerpts with citations are required in all written assignments.

Instructions

Explain the assignment in detail. Specify the exact requirements of the assignment. Items to include are outlined as follows:

· The papers must each be at least 20 pages long, which does not include the title page and bibliography, with default margins and 12-pt Times New Roman font.

· Turabian Format

· Citations to at least 20 scholarly sources are required.

· Scriptural excerpts with citations are required in all written assignments, but these do not count toward the 20 required sources

· Acceptable sources: all course readings for the included Natural Law thinkers (required), other primary sources by the included Natural Law thinkers, academic journal articles, books published by university presses.

· Research Paper Topic: Is the Christian conception of Natural Law indispensable to a coherent moral theory of the State?

· In your paper, be sure to mention all the Natural Law thinkers examined in the course and include the many Natural Law concepts contained in their theories: justice, citizenship, statesmanship, covenant, Christian kingship, democracy, the interaction between religious and civil offices, and positive law/public policy formation.

· Include a concluding section entitled Public Policy Applications that relates the lessons of the Natural Law thinkers in the course to three public policy areas of your choice: one must be moral; one must be economic; and one can be any other area of public policy of interest to you.