HIU 3313 (LUOA), HIUS 313 (LUO): The American Founding

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 01/09/2025

Course Description

Rationale

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a rich understanding of the Constitution. In particular, the student will learn the deep, historical roots of the Constitution, the importance of state constitutions and ratification conventions, the importance of federalism, and how Anti-Federalists were also founders of the United States.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the discussions in this course are meant to foster a spirit of community and collegiality. However, the student must also view these as academic assignments with formal requirements. The discussions in this course will expand the student’s Christian worldview as it relates to the American Founding. For each discussion, the student will post an initial thread of 700-800 words in length in response to the provided prompt. Then, the student should reply to 2 of his/her peers with posts 200-250 words in length. All threads must demonstrate comprehension of course material and refer specifically – through paraphrase, summary, or quotation – to content from course readings and presentations. In the initial post, the student must cite the number and types of sources indicated in the discussion prompt (at a minimum). For the Discussion Thread: Faith of our Founders specifically, the student is expected to use at least 3 scholarly sources (1 primary source and 2 secondary sources). Citations for replies are encouraged but not required. Footnote citations and bibliographic information should be provided for all sources used in current Turabian style. (CLO: A, B)

Sources of Liberty Assignment

This assignment will take the student through the main British constitutional documents, such as the Magna Carta (1215), Petition of Right (1628), and the English Bill of Rights (1689) and compare them to what is found in early colonial compacts, charters, and state constitutions prior to 1777. The goal is to acquaint the historian with the key rights and liberties that British North Americans insisted on having transferred to and/or improved upon in the New World and fought to preserve during the American Revolution. The student will select 2 key rights or liberties from British constitutional documents and analyze how each of these rights was either applied, modified, or rejected in two specific American colonies. The student will write a case study analysis report for each right, totaling 1,000-1,400 words (500-700 words per case study). The student must use at least 3 sources per case study (2 primary sources and 1 secondary source). The paper must be formatted in current Turabian formatting. (CLO: B, C, D)

Research Design Assignment

The student will write a 2-page research design in current Turabian formatting that is a detailed explanation of the topic to be studied, the process by which the student answers a question of historical significance, and the principal sources for research. It must include a research topic, research thesis, research question(s), explanation of historical significance, and a preliminary (non-annotated) bibliography with at least 3 primary and 2 secondary sources. This assignment will provide the student with a plan for completing his/her research paper assignment. (CLO: B, C, D, E, F)

Research Paper Assignment

The student will write a 4-5 page research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on some aspect of the American Founding. The student will complete this assignment using evidence gleaned from course materials as well as by researching online and other available sources. The paper must include a minimum of 12 sources (8 primary sources and 4 scholarly secondary sources). (CLO: B, C, D, E, F)

Quizzes (6)

For each module assigned, the student will complete a quiz on the materials for that module. Quiz questions may consist of a variation of 11 multiple-choice, true/false, or essay questions. Each quiz will have a time limit of 45 minutes, will be open-book/open-notes, and will allow for one attempt. Each essay question requires at least 100 words. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)