GOVT & NATURAL LAW A (GNL-A)

Course Registration No. GOV-116

COURSE OVERVIEW

An introductory U.S. Government course, students learn about great statesmen who influenced the course of U.S. history by applying principles from America’s founding documents: the Declaration of Independence and U. S. Constitution.  Students also learn the importance of principles of good government and their proper implementation, or lack thereof, during times of racial inequality, attacks on the family and human dignity. During this semester course, Declaration Statesmanship will be the guiding text supplemented by Charles Rice’s indispensable work, 50 Questions on Natural Law.
       Advanced, Honors Track students also take a deeper look at the judicial branch of government through readings and assignments in Sandra O’Connor’s book The Majesty of Law. This text provides insight into the role of the U.S. Supreme Court and several of its landmark cases.   
       Government and Natural Law is a superb capstone course for St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s Liberal Arts program. The works of ancient statesmen, philosophers, classical authors and playwrights, saints and Church Doctors, are more than just interesting studies--their wisdom is essential for us if we are to discern and defend right answers to critical questions facing Americans today. What answers ought we to give to the following: What is justice? What is law? What is the proper role of man-made law and government? Why does the Catholic Church teach what it does about human dignity, equality, Communism, abortion, IVF, euthanasia, and family life? Only those with a sound education can properly address the myriad of political, legal, ethical and social issues facing Americans in today’s declining culture. Only those with a sound education can properly exercise their responsibilities as a citizen in a democratic society. St. Thomas Aquinas Academy designed the Government and Natural Law course to help fill that educational need.
 

     

    BOOKS AND MATERIALS

    A portion of every purchase made on Amazon after following the links here goes to help support St. Thomas Aquinas Academy's work. Thank you so very much for thinking of STAA when placing your book and general Amazon orders!

     

    Declaration Statesmanship: A Course in American Government: Student Textbook

    • Author: Richard Ferrier and Andrew Seeley
    • Publisher/Copyright: : TAN Books, 2021. .
    • ISBN: 1505122694        978-1505122695
    • Supplier: Retail or Amazon.com

    This is one part of a three book set that includes Student Textbook, Reading Book, and Teachers Manual -- you will need all three pieces.

    Declaration Statesmanship: Teachers Manual

    • Author: Richard Ferrier and Andrew Seeley
    • Publisher/Copyright: : TAN Books, 2021. .
    • ISBN: 1505122708        978-1505122701
    • Supplier: Retail or Amazon.com

    This is one part of a three book set that includes Student Textbook, Reading Book, and Teachers Manual -- you will need all three pieces. The Teachers Manual includes detailed lesson plans, answers to review questions, paper topics, quizzes, and tests.

    Declaration Statesmanship: Reading Book

    • Author: Richard Ferrier and Andrew Seeley
    • Publisher/Copyright: : TAN Books, 2021. .
    • ISBN: 1505122716        978-1505122718
    • Supplier: Retail or Amazon.com

    This is one part of a three book set that includes Student Textbook, Reading Book, and Teachers Manual -- you will need all three pieces.

    50 Questions on the Natural Law: What It Is and Why We Need It

    • Author: Charles E. Rice
    • Publisher/Copyright: Ignatius Press, 1999: Ignatius Press, 1999. Print.
    • ISBN: 0898707501        978-0898707502
    • Supplier: Retail or Amazon.com

    411 pages.

    Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition

    • Author: U.S. Catholic Church
    • Publisher/Copyright: 2nd ed.: USCCB Communications, 2000. Print.
    • ISBN: 1574551108        978-1574551105
    • Supplier: Retail or Amazon.com

    920 pages. Any edition from any publisher will do. It is standard practice to reference the Catechism as "CCC" in print. The STAA course plans follow this practice.
    OPTIONAL RESOURCE

    Majesty of the Law: Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice

    • Author: Sandra Day O’Connor
    • Publisher/Copyright: : Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2004. Print.
    • ISBN: 081296747X        978-0812967470
    • Supplier: Retail or Amazon.com

    352 pages.

    RELATED COURSES

    RHETORIC I (RC1-A)
    Course Registration No. ENG-006 COURSE OVERVIEW PART I of II: Classical Rhetoric With Aristotle: Traditional Princip...
    VIEW
    RESEARCH PAPERS
    Course Registration No. ENG-210 COURSE OVERVIEW 18-week Course Plan: Format Writing III / Major Papers.  This is the...
    VIEW
    CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS (CAP-A)
    Course Registration No. REL-648 COURSE OVERVIEW 18-week Course Plan: Catholic Apologetics: God, Christianity and the...
    VIEW
    Back to blog

    Questions about all STAA has to offer?

    How can we help you on your homeschooling journey? Our advisors are available by appointment to discuss enrolling in the full St. Thomas Aquinas Academy academic program, to help you place your STAA Study Guide order, to help find great Live Classes or One-on-One Guided courses to support your high school students. Choose an appointment type below to arrange a free, no-obligation telephone call or reach out by opening the chat widget in the bottom left corner of the site. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

    St. Thomas Aquinas Academy ProgramSTAA Study GuidesLive and Guided Classes