Class #14: Discussion Questions for Class on October 14, 2009
Related Readings: Feldman, "A church state solution," and Farnsley, Rising Expectations

These writing assignments are meant to help you think about the readings and to prepare you for class discussions. For that reason, when you write a response it is important that you give your opinions and that you relate your thoughts to the reading. Remember that these are exam questions and that they are graded as such. You ought to write them as though you are writing questions on a midterm or a final exam.

Respond to one of the following questions by writing a response on the class Discussion Board on Blackboard at least one hour before class on the date the question is listed. Put your name in the text of the question and give the question number as listed below. Without these I can't tell who wrote the question or what you are responding to. You then have until Midnight on the following Sunday of that week to revise your response if you wish to do so and to submit it for grading. To submit your responses, send them via email to milofsky@bucknell.edu.

Your final version of this question is due by midnight, Sunday, October 18.


14-1. What is the difference between values evangelicals and legal secularists? How does Feldman propose to heal the rift between these two groups?

14-2 Why do policy-makers think that faith-based social service organizations might be particularly effective at addressing social problems? How might we evaluate these claims?  Consider our readings on schooling when you answer.

14-3. What factors limit the capacity or willingness of congregations to engage in government funded social programs meant to involve faith-based organizations in providing social services?

14-4. What is the "bottom line" where faith-based organizations are concerned?

When we examine the impact or effectiveness of a service-oriented nonprofit we often use economic measures to evaluate their usefulness or effectiveness. Do they operate in the black? Do they provide a good return on the money put into them? Are nonprofits sufficiently efficient in their use of resources given that they are not driven by the profit motive? How does our frame of reference change when we talk about a service-oriented organization that is part of a religious group? Put differently, what is the "bottom line" where faith-based organizations are concerned?