RS 361E/CAS 420I Christianity, Politics, and Public Policy

U.S. Constitution: Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Course Materials

  • Syllabus: Fall 2006
  • Writing Guidelines: Dr. Leininger
  • Exercise: Dual Nature of First Amendment & School Prayer
  • Dual Nature of First Amendment Illustrated via School Prayer
  • Student Simulation on School Prayer
  • Church and State Legal Perspective
  • Church and State Historical Perspective
  • Declaration on Religious Liberty
  • How is U.S. Public Policy Formed
  • Exam 1 Review Sheet
  • Principles of CST
  • Four Sources of CST
  • Just Wage Handout
  • Catholic Bioethics on End of Life
  • Nondenominational Christmas Story
  • Evangelicals: Their Long Path to Political Powers

    • Assignments

  • Essay Guidlines
  • Essay 1 Dual Nature First Amendment
  • Essay 2 Argue with Hammond
  • Essay 3 Christian & the State
  • Essay 4 A Public Policy Position

    • Readings

  • J.W. O'Malley, S.J., "Jesuit History: A New Hot Topic"
  • Interview with Douglas Kmiec, "Catholic Judges, US Constitution and Natural Law"
  • Leininger, "The Call to an Expansive and Discriminating Civic Engagement in Gaudium et Spes."
  • Jeff Sharlet, "Soldiers of Christ I: Inside America's Most Powerful Megachurch." Harpers (May 2005)

    • Websites

  • Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
  • Pledge of Allegiance: A Short History by John W. Baer
  • Pledge of Allegiance: Questions and Answers by John W. Baer
  • PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
  • When the President Talks to God Video & Lyrics
  • Catholicism and the Modern World Speaker Series