Essay Assignment
Length: 1200 words.
Topic: The UDHR and the "God Clause" in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The preamble to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms contains a God clause: "Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law." However, there is no similar clause in the most important international declaration of human rights, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). During the debates over the drafting of the UDHR there were proposals to include a reference to God. The Brazilian amendment to Article 1 would have included the phrase "created in God`s image and likeness." The Netherlands amendment to the preamble proposed a clause affirming "the relation existing between the Creator and man." These proposals sparked considerable heated discussion and debate.
In your essay, critically examine the arguments for and against these proposals (i.e., weigh the strengths and weakness of them). Your argument should be built around a thesis statement which addresses the significance of the decision to exclude any reference to God in the UDHR. In short, take a position on this issue. Argue either for the exclusion of reference to God, against it, or clearly state a more nuanced position. Be sure to discuss the question of religious freedom in relation to this matter (i.e., comment on how the exclusion of a God clause either upholds or violates religious freedom).
Relevant Sources: In your essay you must reference the original transcripts of these debates (available on Moodle in the Essay 1 Assignment Materials folder). Be sure to cite those debates throughout your essay. You must also reference at least two course sources (sources from the required list in the Course Outline section of the POLI 389 / THEO 343 syllabus). Drawing a comparison with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms might be helpful, but it is not required.
Essay citation format: Bibliographic information for course material is not required. In-text citations from the course pack can be bracketed as author & page number, e.g., (Banchoff, 11). The actual historical debates found on Moodle should be cited according to abbreviated title and page number, e.g., (Brazilian, Oct.9, 3). Failure to properly cite sources - whether course readings or the debate materials - will negatively impact your grade on this assignment.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.