Law and Policy: Research, Writing, and Analysis – LPCY 804

Course Description

Students will develop the necessary competencies essential to comprehensive communication skills while learning to effectively utilize the fundamentals of research, writing, and analysis. Students will also cultivate and apply effective analytical and reasoning skills that promote an in-depth understanding of the intersection, influence, and interrelationship between law and policy. Through research, writing, and analysis, students will examine key legal and policy issues and associated trends in an effort to effectively, intelligently, and persuasively articulate legal recommendations and policy solutions.

Rationale

This course gives students the foundational tools needed to research, analyze, and write about current law and public policy issues. This course provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research and explore practical solutions that can be applied to contemporary challenges facing practitioners in the fields of law and public policy. Students approach these issues through a Christian model of statesmanship that incorporates a Biblical worldview with sound law and public policy analysis and application.  

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

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 provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 300 words. (CLO: A, B, D, E & F) 

Worldview Analysis Essay Assignment

The student will write a 3-4 page research-based worldview analysis essay in current APA format that focuses on a current policy topic. The paper must include at least 2-3 citations from the class readings, 1 citation to Scripture, and 2-4 citations from outside resources. (CLO: A, D, E, F) 

Readability Analysis Assignment

The student will write a 4-5 page analysis in current APA format of the provided professional writing sample. The paper must include at least 2-3 citations from the class readings, 1 citation to Scripture, and 2 citations from outside resources. (CLO: B, C, D, F) 

Describing Policy Problems Assignment

The student will write a 3-4 page analysis in current APA format of a published problem description. The paper must include at least 2-3 citations from the class readings, 1 citation to Scripture, and citations from outside resources, including 1 citation from the CQ Researcher. (CLO: A, B, C, D, F, G) 

Policy Brief Assignment

The student will write an 8-10 page Policy Brief in current APA format that is based upon the topic selected for the Describing Policy Problems Assignment. The Policy Brief must include at least 1 citation to Scripture and 10 citations from outside academic resources, including at least 1 citation from the CQ Researcher. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F) 

Position Paper Assignment

The student will write a 2-page Position Paper in current APA format that focuses on the topic selected for the Describing Policy Problems Assignment. The Position Paper must include at least 1 citation to Scripture and 3 citations from outside academic resources, including at least 1 citation from the CQ Researcher. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G) 

Policy Memo Assignment

The student will write a 13-15 page Policy Memo in current APA format that focuses on the topic selected for the Describing Policy Problems Assignment. The Policy Brief must include at least 1 citation to Scripture and 10 citations from outside academic resources, including at least 1 citation from the CQ Researcher. At least 5 of the outside academic resources and at least 1 citation to Scripture should be different from the resources used in the Policy Brief Assignment.  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G) 

Op-Ed Assignment

The student will write a 1000-word op-ed piece in current APA format that focuses on the topic selected for the Describing Policy Problems Assignment. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G) 

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module(s): week(s). Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes. The Quiz: Policy Writing contains 10 multiple-choice, true-false, and short answer questions. The Quiz: Legislative History contains 10 multiple-choice and true-false questions. Each quiz has a 30-minute time limit.