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!
 
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Declaration Statesmanship: A Course in American Government: Student Textbook
This is one part of a three book set that includes Student Textbook, Reading Book, and Teachers Manual -- you will need all three pieces. |
 
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Declaration Statesmanship: Teachers Manual
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. |
 
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Declaration Statesmanship: Reading Book
This is one part of a three book set that includes Student Textbook, Reading Book, and Teachers Manual -- you will need all three pieces. |
 
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50 Questions on the Natural Law: What It Is and Why We Need It
411 pages. |
 
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Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition
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. |
 
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Majesty of the Law: Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice
352 pages. |
