What This Document Is
This document is a worksheet – a “Political Legitimacy Matrix” – designed for students in Grand Canyon University’s HIS-110 World History Themes course, specifically for Topic Three. It prompts analysis of different historical perspectives on where political power originates and why people obey authority. The worksheet focuses on comparing the views of the Apostle Paul, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke.
Why This Document Matters
This worksheet is valuable for students preparing for assignments and assessments related to political philosophy and its historical context. It’s used to deepen understanding of core concepts in political thought and how these concepts have shaped historical events. Students will likely use this to prepare for discussions, essays, or quizzes concerning the foundations of political legitimacy.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This worksheet provides a framework for *analyzing* these thinkers, but it does not offer a comprehensive history of political thought. It requires students to have already engaged with the primary source material (like Romans 13) and secondary readings to effectively complete the matrix. It’s a tool for structured thinking, not a substitute for independent study.
What This Document Provides
The full worksheet includes:
* A structured matrix with columns for “Source of Political Legitimacy” and “Rationale for Obedience to Authority.”
* Pre-populated notes summarizing the core arguments of Paul, Hobbes, and Locke regarding political legitimacy.
* Space for students to record their own analysis and interpretations.
* References to source materials (Enduring Word, Smolensky, Tuckness).
This preview only provides a glimpse of the content focusing on the initial sections regarding Paul, Hobbes, and Locke. The complete worksheet contains the full matrix and space for student responses, which are not included here.
