Discussions AssignmentInstructions
In thiscourse, Discussions play an exceptionally important role. The readingsare relatively short to allow for substantial reflection, personal research,and quality discussion to occur. Consider these threads and replies to beformal communications on the same level as those you would conduct withemployers, clients, or colleagues in the professional, political, or academicworld. As such, they must be free of grammatical errors, must be properlyformatted in current APA style, and must consist of well-reasoned,contemplative, and substantive posts and replies, rather than mere ipsedixit. These threads and replies must provide citations to the sources ofor support for your ideas as well as any quoted materials and/or borrowedideas.
Open,courteous discussion will yield the greatest opportunities for growth in this course.Both responding to other students and responding to the instructor willcount as 1 reply post. Remember that the art of communication is in many waysthe essence of effective political leadership. Everything you writeeverypaper, post, and emailcreates or reinforces an impression of you. You areencouraged to begin to cultivate the communication skills of the statesmen andstateswomenthe ability to logically and persuasively speak the truth withcompassion and respect.
Youwill take part in 5 Discussions in Modules 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7: Weeks 1,3, 4, 5, and 7. You will compose an original post presenting your own interpretationof the assigned prompt, writing at least 1,000 words, then, you willpost replies of 300350 words to at least 2 other students original threads.Each reply must be unique.
Responding to a classmates original postrequires both the addition of new ideas and analysis. A particular point madeby the classmate must be addressed and built upon by your analysis in order to move the conversation forward. Thus,the response post is a rigorous assignment that requires you to build uponinitial posts to develop deeper and more thorough discussion of the ideasintroduced in the initial posts. As such, reply posts that merely affirm,restate or unprofessionally quarrel with the previous post(s) and fail to makea valuable, substantive contribution to the discussion will receive appropriatepoint deductions. Posting the same reply in two placesis also not sufficient and may be treated as a form of academic misconduct.
Original posts must include at least 10 references to thecourse readings and 1 Scripture reference in addition to any other sources youwish to include. Replies must include at least 3 references to the coursereadings and 1 Scripture reference in addition to any other sources you wish toinclude. Scriptural excerpts with citations are required in all writtenassignments, including all discussion board posts (both the original post and thereplies).
Submit your threads by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday ofthe assigned Module: Week. Submit your replies by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday ofthe assigned Module: Week.
Thread
WhatChristian versions of Natural Law concepts are present in the religious andpolitical ideas of Augustine? Be sure to include a discussion ofstatesmanship and the Christian ideas of covenant and dual citizenship,temporal and spiritual.
Reading
The City ofGod
Thephilosophy of st Augustine
EarlyChristia natural law-Augustine
