RS 361E/CAS 420I/PJ 420 §RU01: Christianity, Politics, & Public Policy
Fall, 2006
MW 2:30-3:45
Main Hall 305
Website: http://academic.regis.edu/tleining/
Dr. Thomas B. Leininger Tel 303-964-5082 E-mail tleining@regis.edu Office Loyola 32
Hrs: MWF 12:20-1:20*On MWF I teach in L5 until 12:20, talk with students after class, and then
walk over to the Cafeteria to meet with students; TH 1:15-3:15pm in L32
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REQUIRED TEXTS
Cochran, Clarke E. and David Carroll Cochran. Catholics, Politics, & Public Policy: Beyond Left and
Right (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2003) ISBN 1-57075-457-8
Hammond, Phillip E. With Liberty for All: Freedom of Religion in the United States (Louisville, KY:
Westminster John Knox Press, 1998) ISBN: 0664257682
Sider, Ronald J. & Dianne Knippers, eds. Toward an Evangelical Public Policy: Political Strategies
for the Health of the Nation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005) ISBN: 0-8010-6538-0
Readings posted on the website and/or on reserve through Dayton Memorial Library (listed as “PR”)
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READINGS & DISCUSSION SCHEDULE
1. M Aug 28 Introduction to Course & Background on School Prayer (Fr. Curran)
2. W Aug 30 Presentation on School Prayer: Hammond, Introduction, ch. 1
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M Sep 4
No Class: Labor Day Holiday
3. W Sep 6
Church & State: Historical Perspective: Hammond, ch. 2
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4. M Sep 11 Church & State: Legal Perspective: Hammond, ch. 3
5. W Sep 13 Hammond, ch. 4;
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6. M Sep 18 Church & State: Political Perspective: Hammond, ch. 5-6
Guest Speaker: Dan Grossman, Colorado State Senator, District 32
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/senate/members/sen32.htm
7. W Sep 20 DUE: ESSAY 1; review Hammond;
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8. M Sep 25 Church & State: Catholic Perspective: Cochran, preface & ch. 1
9. W
Sep 27
Guest Speaker: Ira Gorman, Rueckert-Hartman School for Health Professions,
Topic: How is U.S. public policy formed?
Ex. 1: Kara Mahan and Dan Wessel: Abortion
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10. M Oct 2
Church & State: Protestant Perspective: Sider, ch. 7 (Wolterstorff)
Ex 2: Christine Mayorga, Lucy Alvarez, and Jennette Orlando: Gay Marriage
11. W Oct 4
Review Oct 2 readings;
Ex. 3: Allison Wynn and Alex Robinson: Evangelical Perspective on War
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12. M Oct 9
Evangelical Public Policy: Sider, 117-121; 137-139 (Green); Sider, 5-7: “Forward”
(Haggard), Sider, 363-375 (NAE, “For the Health of the Nation”)
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Guest Speaker: David Hall
13. W Oct 11
Review Oct 9 readings
Ex. 4: Brandon Spivey and Caitlin Claxton: Sex Education in Public Schools
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M-T Oct 16-17 No class: Midterm Break
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14. W Oct 18 Catholic Social Teaching & Evangelical Care for the Vulnerable:
PR: “Principles of CST,” and “Sources of CST”; Sider, ch. 11 (Calver & Carey);
DUE: ESSAY 2; Midterm Grades Due
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15. M Oct 23 Economics: Assuring Health Care: Cochran, ch. 3;
Guest Speaker: Sara L. Jarrett, Rueckert-Hartman School for Health Professions,
Topic: “Catholic Social Teaching & Health Care Policy”
16. W Oct 25
Review Cochran, ch. 3;
Ex 5: Lauren Fellows and Leah Snyder Health Care Proposal
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17. M Oct 30 Economics: Just Wage: Cochran, ch. 2; review Sider, ch. 11;
18. W Nov 1
Review Oct 30 readings;
Ex 6: Lizzeth Nevarez and Shauna Winchester: Immigration
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19. M Nov 6
Just War and Pacifism: PR, McCormick and Connors, “The Story of Christians and
Violence,” 90-95; Sider, ch. 14 (Stassen); Cochran, 186-188, and 197-202
20. W Nov 8
DUE: ESSAY 3; Review readings from Nov. 6;
Ex. 7: Laura Hornung and Todd Filler: Just War
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21. M Nov 13 Environment: Stewards of the Earth: Cochran, ch. 8; Sider, ch. 13 (Rodin);
Guest Lecturers: Will Stenzel, J.D., and Catherine Kleier, Ph.D.
22. W Nov 15
Review Nov 13 readings;
Ex. 8: Ashley Kloor and Shaun Kloor: Environment
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23. M Nov 20 Family: Sider ch. 12 (Minnery & Stanton); Cochran, ch. 4
W-F Nov 22-26 No Class: Thanksgiving Break
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24. M Nov 27 Sanctity & Quality of Life: Bioethics: Cochran, 182-186; 188-197; Sider, ch. 10
(Cameron)
25. W Nov 29
DUE: ESSAY 4; Review Nov. 27 readings;
Ex 9: Christ Petrelli and Lana Fedoseyenko: Stem Cells
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26. M Dec 4
Faithful Disciple, Good Citizen, and Virtuous Economic Actor: Cochran, 116120; 129-134; Leininger, “The Call to an Expansive and Discriminating Civic
Engagement in Gaudium et Spes.” (course website); Recommended: Sider, ch. 9
Guest Speaker: Byron Plumley
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RS 361E/CAS 420I SYLLABUS
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27. W Dec 6
OPTIONAL: ESSAY 5 DUE; Last Class Meeting: Review
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FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 11 at 10:10 AM in MNH 305
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DESCRIPTION
This course considers “church and state,” constitutional law (First Amendment), and “politics and
salvation” with respect to Christianity in the U.S. with a primary emphasis on two of the most influential
Christian traditions in contemporary U.S. politics, i.e., Catholicism and evangelical Protestantism. After
considering historical, legal, political, and theological perspectives on church and state (illustrated through
a discussion of school prayer), we will take up contemporary issues and debates with respect to the
economy, healthcare, the environment, just war, the sanctity of life, family, and what it means to be a
faithful disciple, a good citizen, and virtuous economic actor in our society.
COURSE QUESTIONS
1. First Amendment. How does the dual nature of the First Amendment lead to tensions in public policy
and civic life? How have the three branches of government—most especially the judicial branch-balanced or failed to balance these tensions?
2. Church and State. What are the tensions between church and state? What should be the proper
relationship between church and state? Between U.S. citizen and disciple of Christ?
3. Public Policy. What public policy positions have Christian churches and their members taken on
contemporary issues and why? What policies would be most faithful to Christian tradition and best for
our common life in the U. S.? What do I think are the most important policy issues in our society?
What do I think are the best public policies for our society and why?
LEARNING GOALS
You should develop a working knowledge of
1. the dual nature of the First Amendment and the resulting tensions;
2. historical, political and theological perspectives on church and state;
3. Christian positions (as well as current U.S. policy) on a selected sample of policy issues;
4. how Christian traditions seek to influence the formation of public policy.
Additionally, you should learn to reflect on public policy issues for yourself, develop your skills
and confidence in articulating your own positions and in critically evaluating other positions.
EVALUATION
• Student Exercise, Daily Preparation and Contribution
• Quizzes
• Essays
• Final Exam
TOTAL
10%
15%
50%
25%
100%
HOW WE ACHIEVE THESE GOALS
1. Contribute to Class Discussion
 Be Textually Informed: complete assigned readings and RQ before each class and take notes.
 Attend class on time with the assigned texts and notes in hand and consistently
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a) ask questions and offer insights that demonstrate that you have read the assigned readings
thoughtfully and consulted the dictionary on important and unfamiliar terms
b) answer questions posed in class in a manner that demonstrates this thoughtful reading.
2. Regular Class Attendance
This class is designed such that essential and irreplaceable learning occurs during class
meetings. Regular attendance is an academic requirement for passing this course. Every class meeting
matters; quizzes and class discussions cannot be made up.
ABSENCES: over 5 = “F” for the course.
You are responsible for everything covered in class (handouts, assignments, changes in exam
dates, etc.). Plan for possible illness by forming an “academic team” whose members will provide
each other with all assignments, notes, handouts, etc. whenever any team member is absent. If, after
you have read these notes, something is not clear, ask me.
3. Quizzes.
Class meetings will often begin with a short quiz on the assigned readings, lectures and
learning exercises. Doing well on these quizzes requires reading of the assigned texts, being actively
engaged with class lectures and exercises, attendance at class meetings, and taking good notes. When
taking the quizzes, you may consult your own notes but you may not use any texts or printouts of
materials from the course website. If you miss a class, you will need to get class notes from a
classmate prior to the next class meeting. If you miss a quiz, you receive a zero. However, I will drop
your two lowest quiz scores.
4. Student Led Exercise.
Groups of students will lead a 40 minute interactive, hands-on learning exercise, i.e., one in
which each member of the class learns by doing (not by hearing presenters recite findings). They will
research a contemporary event or issue that will be used to help the class learn about, reflect on, and
formulate theological, political, and policy stances on contemporary issues. The instructor will
illustrate how this might be done early in the semester.
5. Essays
Students will turn in a number of typewritten, single-spaced (12 point “Times” font—the same
font used in this syllabus--with one inch margins) 2-page essays (printed on both sides of one sheet of
paper) on an assigned question. Note: I stop reading at the end of the second page so don’t bother
turning in more pages unless it gives you a special thrill! The central task in these essays will be to
analyze the connections between the assigned readings, lectures, and course concepts. I will drop your
lowest essay. Late essays will be marked down 10 points (on a 100 point scale) during each 24 hour
period of lateness. If you need an extension for up to two essays, you must arrange it no later than the
class meeting prior to the due date.
6. Final Exam
The final exam will be cumulative and will include a section with questions about basic
information from the course (e.g., the dual nature of the first amendment) and a section with essay
questions similar to those assigned throughout the semester.
A 94-100
A- 90-93 Outstanding
GRADING SCALE
B+ 87-89
C+ 77-79
B 83-86 Very Good
C 73-76 Good
D+ 67-69
D 63-66 Minimum
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RS 361E/CAS 420I SYLLABUS
B- 80-82
Pass > C-; pass/fail student with a “D+ receives an F
C- 70-72
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D- 60-62
F 59-0 Fails
POLICIES
 Exams must be taken as scheduled unless you have three finals on the same day.
 Questions about grades will be discussed outside of class sessions only.
 Students must know and comply with the “academic dishonesty policy” of Regis University.
Plagiarism = a failing grade for the course. You must cite the author if an idea is not your own.
 Students with disabilities must identify themselves in a timely manner to the Office of Disability
Services (ODS), Room 118B, Life Directions Center, 303-458-4941, disability@regis.edu.
 Changes to this syllabus, the course requirements, office hours, etc. will be announced in class or
via e-mail throughout the semester or posted on my office door.
 Office Hours. If you need to see me at 12:20 MWF come to L5 before I go to Cafeteria.
 Use voicemail rather than e-mail for time sensitive correspondence.