Christian Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues (CT9000Z)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit explores community, love and justice as key themes of Christian theology, ethics, Christian anthropology. It explores the sources of moral knowledge and consideration of the role of human experience, scripture, narrative, and worship as shaping Christian ethics. Themes explored include an introduction to moral conscience, virtue, character and discipleship The unit offers an opportunity to integrate basic Christian theological, biblical and historical perspectives and to enter into critical discussion with ethical issues that face contemporary society.

Unit code: CT9000Z

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School and Wollaston Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Distinguish between the roles of human experience, Scripture, narrative, emotions, and worship, within contemporary Christian ethics
2.

Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principal theories of Christian ethics
3.

Apply Christian ethical methods to contemporary case studies
4.

Appraise the strengths and weaknesses of each theory of ethics
5.

Critically assess approaches to contemporary ethics in the light of present issues

Unit sequence

Introductory UG CT1 (or equivalent) and one other level 2 CT or BS

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, class discussion

Indicative Bibliography

  • Biggar, N. The Hastening that Waits: Karl Barth's Ethics. Rev. ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1995.
  • Black, R. Christian Moral Realism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
  • Finnis, J. Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980.
  • Hauerwas, S. The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1983.
  • Hauerwas, S. A Community of Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Social Ethic. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1981.
  • Hays, R.B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament—Community, Cross, New Creation: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. Harper: SanFrancisco, 1996. (recommended for purchase)
  • Holmgren, S. Ethics after Easter. Cambridge MA: Cowley, 2000
  • Hoose, B., ed. Christian Ethics: An Introduction. London: Cassell, 1998.
  • Keenan, J.F. Virtues for Ordinary Christians. Kansas: Sheed & Ward, 1996.
  • Parsons, S.F. Feminism and Christian Ethics. Cambridge: CUP, 1996.
  • Porter, J. The Recovery of Virtue. London: SPCK, 1994.
  • Spohn, W. What are they Saying about Scripture and Ethics? New York: Paulist Press, 1995.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Essay

Essay of 2,000 words

 2000 30.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper of 1,000 words (submitted)

 1000 20.0
Essay

Essay of 3,000 words

 3000 50.0

Variant 2

Critical Review

Each week students are to write a 150 word critical summary of the assigned material and use the matrix within the assignment to self-mark (marks will be moderated by the lecturer). Students must complete 8 of the possible 12 reviews in order to pass the unit. If a student submits more than 8 reviews the highest 8 marks will be counted.

1200 15.0
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper 1000 20.0
Audio recording or Podcast 1500 30.0
Essay 3000 35.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 1 Sep, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-09-01 16:54:03 +1000