PLST 205 Foundations of Law

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.

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.*

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*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.

Rationale

In law schools throughout this country, the student is taught tertiary law, a constitutional misnomer, to the exclusion of primary and secondary law. The student is taught the law divorced from its historical meaning and Christian foundation. When its rich history is ignored or rewritten 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 Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 4 Discussions in this course. The student will post 1 thread of at least 250-300 words. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 100-150 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her 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 5 years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, assigned reading, and the Bible.

Essay Assignments (3)

There will be 3 short essays of 350–400 words each, completed in Bluebook format. A minimum of 2 sources must be cited for each essay.

Quizzes (3)

There will be 3 open-book, open-note quizzes with multiple-choice and true/false questions. The student will be given 1 hour to complete a 20-question quiz.

Quiz: Final Exam Essay

There will be 1 final exam essay quiz that will cover the course material for the assigned Module: Week. This quiz will consist of 2 essay questions. Each essay must be at least 250-300 words. The student will support his/her assertions with at least 2 scholarly sources/citations in Bluebook format. The student will have 1 hour to complete the quiz. 

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