Short Research Paper #2 (political philosophy)

The papers must each be 2 pages long (not including the title page and bibliography), in current

Turabian format, with default margins and in 12pt Times New Roman font. Your papers must include

citations to adequate sources supporting and/or illustrating your positions. Your papers must include

a title page and bibliography, also in current Turabian format.

Do not let the short length requirement of the papers mislead you. Concise writing is often more

demanding than expansive writing. The goal of the papers is not merely to offer unfounded opinion

or subjective discussion of the topics, but rather to provide a concise, wellreasoned analysis of the

topics presented.

This is an open research project, meaning that you are expected to locate, use, and cite support

outside of the course readings. Superficiality is a danger with this topic as it would be easy to write 2

pages without reaching the substance of the discussion. Better papers will demonstrate that you

sufficiently pondered the ideas at issue to understand them, recognize them, and develop a wellreasoned

approach to them.

Be sure to read closely the grading rubric for the assignment and note that at least 5 scholarly

sources (peerreviewed academic journal articles or books published by university presses) are

required.

Scriptural excerpts with citations are required in all written assignments.

Short Research Paper 2

For Short Research Paper 2, answer the following questions:

“How did the writings of Blackstone influence American Political Philosophy, and what evidence for

this influence is seen in Tocqueville’s observations of American political life?”

Be sure to include some excerpts from the writings of Blackstone and Alexis De Tocqueville in the

course text with references.

Also, include some excerpts from the writings of the American Founders, such as the Declaration of

Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers.