This seminar surveys the theory and experiences that are primary sources of jurisprudence within the Christian tradition. It explores the value of these sources for understanding diverse attitudes towards the meaning of law within contemporary Christianity. It seeks, in addition, to build a conceptual and historical foundation for developing, validating, and criticizing formal jurisprudential theory from the Christian vantage point. Relying on primary documents, students examine both formative Christian experiences of law which may be considered archetypal and Christian experiences of law which are more recent and of a more specifically American character. Through a close reading of original Christian authors, students encounter the progression of Christian theory about law from the Bible to the leading thinkers of the historically diverse strands of the later tradition. Unifying themes concern the relationship of reason to revelation, law to morality, and charity to justice. Paper/examination option. Course grades will be assigned based on a paper/examination option. This course may include a qualifying course paper that fulfills one half of the upper level writing requirement. Refer to Academic Rule X — Writing Requirement and Directed Research.

Upper-level course for:
XXVI. Perspectives on Law and Legal Systems
XXVII. Religion and the Law