Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
GOVT 200 Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
GOVT 200
CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT AND FREE ENTERPRISE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Diverse introduction to political and economic ideas, government institutions, free market
processes, public issues, economic policy and political and economic activity, emphasizing the
close relationship between a system of limited constitutional government and the free enterprise
economy and providing an overview of the Christian worldview with regard to government and
economics.
RATIONALE
Government and Business majors, as well as others, need a philosophical foundation for the
general concept of limited government and free enterprise economics. This course provides a
foundation for students to understand that limited government and free workers are successful.
From an ethical point of view, limited government and free workers are superior to other
processes; historically, they are the property of western Christian civilization.
I.
II.
PREREQUISITES
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
D.
Copy of the U.S. Constitution
E.
The Holy Bible
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Explain the concept and application of limited government.
B.
List the major specific provisions of the U.S. Constitution in its context as a
limiting device.
Page 1 of 3
GOVT 200 Syllabus
V.
C.
Discuss the ethics and workings of free market processes.
D.
Analyze the moral arguments against capitalism.
E.
Examine the American Constitutional Order and system as well as contemporary
political and economic problems.
F.
Apply the historical biblical Christian worldview while practicing the politics of
grace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the
related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (3)
There are 3 Discussion Board Forums to be completed in this course. In each
forum, the student must submit 1 thread of 250–300 words and 1 reply of 250–
300 words. All assertions must be supported by sound logic based upon the
definitions, lessons, and analytical frameworks provided in the course notes and
presentations. Use of outside scholarly sources is encouraged and the student must
use current APA format.
D.
Excerpt Essay
The student will read an excerpt and answer an assigned question. The student
must use quotes from the excerpt to support his/her answer. The summary must be
150–200 words.
E.
Government Chart
On a provided chart, the student will include 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages to
3 different forms of government.
F.
Worldview Analysis Paper
The student will write a 2–3-page paper in current APA format analyzing the
impact of process philosophy on government policy and/or society.
G.
George Washington Farewell Address (GWFA) Research Paper
The student will write a 3-page analysis in current APA format of the major
points of George Washington’s “Farewell Address.”
H.
Economics Analysis Paper
The student will write a 2–3-page paper in current APA format discussing
government regulation of business and the economy in light of foundational
economic principles.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
Page 2 of 3
GOVT 200 Syllabus
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (3 at 100 pts ea)
Excerpt Essay
Government Chart
Worldview Analysis Paper
GWFA Research Paper
Economics Analysis Paper
Total
B.
10
300
75
100
175
175
175
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
class will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
Page 3 of 3
COUR ### Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
GOVT 200
Textbooks:
Hazlitt, Economics in One Lesson (1988).
Martin, Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500 (2006).
McClellan, Liberty, Order, and Justice (2000).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Martin: Introduction, chs. 1–3
4 presentations
1 lecture note
POINTS
ASSIGNMENTS
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
Excerpt Essay
10
0
75
DB Forum 1
100
2
Bible readings
2 presentations
3 lecture notes
3
Martin: chs. 4–5, 7
3 presentations
2 lecture notes
1 website
Government Chart
100
4
Martin: chs. 8–13
3 presentations
1 lecture note
1 document
1 website
Worldview Analysis Paper
175
5
McClellan: readings
Martin: ch. 6
6 presentations
2 lecture notes
DB Forum 2
100
6
McClellan: readings
The U.S. Constitution
1 presentation
1 lecture note
GWFA Research Paper
175
DB Forum 3
100
Economics Analysis Paper
175
TOTAL
1010
7
Hazlitt: I, VII, X, XIII, XV, XIX
Bible readings
1 presentation
2 lecture notes
1 website
8
Hazlitt: IV, V, XI, XIV, XVIII, XXII
1 presentation
1 lecture note
DB = Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and
ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.