In conjunction with Module/Week 3 of this course, you will be required to draft 1 short research paper. The paper must be at least 500 words (not including the title page and bibliography), in current Turabian format, with default margins and in 12-pt. Times New Roman font. Each paper must include citations (footnotes or endnotes) to adequate sources supporting and/or illustrating your positions. A minimum of 3 sources are required. Each paper must include a title page and bibliography in current Turabian format.

Do not let the short length requirement of this paper mislead you. Concise writing is often more demanding than expansive writing. The goal of this paper is not merely to offer your opinion or subjective discussion of the topic, but rather to provide a concise, well-supported analysis of a fundamental question: What role does religion, morality, and worldview play in the creation of public policy?

This is an open research project, meaning that you are expected to use and cite support outside of the class readings. Superficiality is a danger with this topic as it would be easy to write two pages without reaching the substance of the discussion. Better papers will show not only a grasp of the abstract aspects of this question but an understanding of its practical implications.