Center for Law & Culture
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. –Latin maxim
The Olivet-Center Partnership: Restoring Our Noble Legal Heritage
Our legal heritage—the foundational basis for guaranteeing constitutional liberties and protecting free enterprise—has been under assault in American culture for almost a century. Nowhere has this trend been more evident than in education. Since the turmoil of the 1960s and the subsequent cultural shift away from a Judeo-Christian moral consensus, accurate and vital instruction concerning civics, citizenship, and our political-legal heritage has been incrementally removed from education, particularly at the collegiate and graduate levels.
To address this educational gap, Olivet and the Center for Law and Culture entered into a partnership in 2012 to offer the premier “Legal Studies minor” curriculum among the Counsel for Christian Colleges & Universities—designed to inspire virtuous public leadership and citizenship in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Today, ONU houses the Center for Law and Culture on its campus and has implemented its seven-course curriculum.
Motto, Mission & Method
Motto: “Restoring Truth in Law”
… By restoring a noble legal heritage premised upon “higher law” and enshrined in Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence.
Mission: Inspiring Virtuous Leadership in Public Life by educating students and citizens about our noble legal heritage and its emphasis to glorify God, serve our neighbor, and care for creation in public life.
Method: Equipping virtuous public leaders and citizens by collaborating with other like-minded institutions and by launching pioneering initiatives in the Judeo-Christian tradition that teach how to effectively engage public life:
Strategic Collaborations
Partnerships with 16 Christian colleges and universities, and with over 30 non-profit organizations, churches, foundations and businesses.
The “1215 Project
A Legal Studies curriculum at Olivet commemorating Magna Carta (1215), England’s greatest legal document, which features seven courses focusing on the Anglo-American “higher law” tradition and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
Law, Justice and Culture Institute
The flagship course of the 1215 Project, this unique May-term class attracts talented students from around the nation and the world. The Institute inspires faithful service in public life through worldview education in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Students learn about transcendent moral truth and higher law theory by exploring the ancient Hebrews’ conception of law and justice, the natural law roots of the American Republic, and the grand legal issues posed by Nazism and the Nuremberg trial.
Creation Care Program
Held in conjunction with the LJC Institute, this one-day practicum on is taught by Dr. Susan D. Emmerich and features her award-winning Center film, “When Heaven Meets Earth.”
Religious Liberty Initiative
A program providing instruction, resources, and advice on religious freedom issues.
Foundations of Freedom Forums
An initiative featuring short seminars on America’s constitutional heritage and fundamental freedoms for public leaders from various fields.
Making Young Patriots
An initiative offering sessions for young people on the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution.
Law & Politics Society
An Olivet student club sponsored by the Center that celebrates our constitutional heritage, prepares students for careers in public life, and facilitates a Mock Trial Team.
Internship Program
An initiative that places talented students in internships at the Center, and in judicial and political settings.
The Legal Studies Minor and The 1215 Project: A Curriculum Restoring Our Legal Heritage
Under the Legal Studies minor, students complete coursework in three areas: foundational courses on the Western legal tradition, focusing in particular on the history of English and American law; elective law-related courses across the curriculum; and, courses designed to foster the academic skills necessary for effective citizenship and careers in public life. Implementation of the minor in 2012 resulted in the addition to Olivet’s curriculum of the seven primary law-related courses now comprising The 1215 Project.
Where Your Future Begins
We Believe. You Belong Here. Discover why Olivet is a place where faith meets calling. Take the first step today.