GOVT 421
RESEARCH PAPER: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
The purpose of this assignment is to encourage you to apply all that you have learned in this
course to a significant current issue. As a result, you should be able to draw some conclusions
about the current state of our constitutional and religious history in the U.S. in the 21st century.
You will get to look at a specific issue in contemporary culture from the vantage point of our
constitutional history. You will also have the opportunity to assess where the United States is
today in terms of our legal and religious history.
One of the most controversial areas of Supreme Court recent adjudication lies in its decisions
related to religion and politics. You will get to explore two important recent cases regarding
religion and politics in the specific area of marriage and marriage ceremonies. These two recent
significant cases are Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) and Masterpiece Cake Shop v. Colorado Civil
Rights Commission (2018). Both cases involve highly contentious issues that get at fundamental
debates in contemporary America.
Analyze the Obergefell and Masterpiece cases in light of what you have learned regarding
Americaàreligious and constitutional heritage in this course.
You will have 2 major sections to your paper:
Part I – Facts of the Cases
For each case, include the following areas:
he Facts of the Case
he Legal Question
he CourtàDecision
he CourtàRationale that supports its decision
he Rationale of the dissenting Opinions
Part II – Your Informed Analysis of the Cases Based upon Course Material
Analyze what these decisions say about where the United States is today in terms of its
Constitutional and religious liberties history.
Your discussion must include, but is not limited to, the following lenses of analysis:
•
•
These decisions in light of Americaàconstitutional history
These decisions in light of the Christian foundations of America
These decisions in light of specific Constitutional principles
These decisions in light of specific methods of Constitutional adjudication
Page 1 of 2
GOVT 421
INSTRUCTIONS
The specific assignment instructions are the following:
•
•
Length of assignment: 5-7 pages excluding title page and reference section.
Format of assignment: latest edition of APA.
Number of citations: a minimum of five sources (in addition to course texts)
Acceptable sources: scholarly articles, published books, course textbooks, and the Bible,
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
Page 2 of 2
GOVT 421
RESEARCH PAPER: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PREPARATION ASSIGNMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This assignment is designed to help you approach your second research paper. Beginning to
work on your research paper early will help you avoid rushing things near the end of the course.
Your focus may change as you move deeper into the research, but this assignment will at least
get you thinking and moving in the right direction.
Before you begin work on this preparation paper, you need to read the research paper: religious
liberty assignment instructions in the week 8 module.
Please include the following in your paper:
1) A thesis statement
2) A 1-paragraph discussion of where you see your paper going
3) An outline of your paper. At this point, 2àmain points and the 2àsubpoints under
each main point will suffice. For example:
I.
A.
B.
II.
A.
B.
III.
A.
B.
4) At least 5 quality sources that you expect to use
5) Any questions or challenges that you would like guidance on
INSTRUCTIONS
The specific instructions for your paper are the following:
•
•
Length of assignment: 1 page
Format of assignment: latest edition of APA
Number of citations: 5
Acceptable sources: scholarly articles, published books, course textbooks, and the Bible.

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