PLCY 700 Foundations of Statesmanship and Public Policy

This course introduces the students to the concept of statesmanship and various models for policy analysis. Students will be introduced to the various contexts in which policy formation and implementation occur. Students will be challenged to view policy from Biblical, constitutional, and political lenses in order to understand a comprehensive approach to policy development and implementation.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


As the first course in the Program, it is important to lay a foundation for a Biblical, constitutional perspective on public policy and policy analysis. Biblical perspectives on constitutionalism, domestic policy, and foreign policy will be discussed, and you will be challenged to articulate a model of statesmanship based upon key principles found therein.


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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences.  Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Specific word count requirements are posted in each discussion’s specific instructions. In each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with scholarly citations when appropriate in APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 400-500 words and must incorporate scholarly sources when required in APA format. Acceptable sources include the course readings and/or scholarly sources, such as books and peer-reviewed journal articles.

The student will complete a quiz affirming that he or she has access to the HSOG Doctoral Community Canvas page, and that he or she agrees to be bound to all policies contained therein. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 2 true/false and short answer questions, and will have a no time limit.

Quizzes (3)

The student will complete 3 quizzes applying course concepts from the module/week in which they are assigned. The quizzes will be open book/open note and will have a 60 minute time limit.

Short Paper Assignment

Student will write a short paper differentiating scholarly writing from other forms of writing. Student will also develop scientific research questions. Paper should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in current APA format.

Book Review Assignment

The student will prepare an academic book review assessing a book related to Public Policy from the books list provided. Book Review must be between 1,500 to 2,000 words in current APA format.

Literature Assessment and Research Question Assignment

The student will prepare a Literature Assessment covering at least 10 peer-reviewed academic sources that are relevant to a research topic of interest. Student will develop a scientific research question related to the literature included in the assessment. This Assessment must be between 2,000-2,500 words and must be written in current APA format.

Discussion: Oral Presentation Literature Assessment and Research Question

Studentwill complete one (1) video presentation. The student will post one video of 4-5 minutes in length. The student must then post two (2) replies to colleague video posts of at least 150 words each. Video presentations must cover the literature assessment and research question assignment and correct any grading issues noted in the written assessment.


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