Christian Moral Life (DT8600C)

Postgraduate, 16.0 points

Content

This Unit takes as its starting point the directive of the Second Vatican Council with regard to Moral Theology and explores moral life as an expression of the Christian's "call in Christ to bring forth fruit in charity for the life of the world." (Optatam totius 16) Within the framework of Catholic Moral theology, the unit will consider themes such as Christian identity, Christian anthropology, moral conscience and its formation, sin and conversion, and discipleship of Christ as a motif for describing Christian moral life. This latter theme will lead to consideration of the interrelationships between Christian moral life, prayer, growth in virtue and the gospel imperative to live justly. The pastoral implications of these themes provide the overarching context of this unit.

Unit code: DT8600C

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 16.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Moral Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe the relationship between Christian faith and moral life particularly in the context of a pluralist society.
2.

Identify and explain the sources of moral knowledge within the Catholic tradition.
3.

Demonstrate an understanding of moral conscience in the Catholic tradition and explain both the process and meaning of formation of conscience.
4.

Critically analyse a particular moral issue and apply the Christian sources of moral knowledge to the discernment of the moral good in that particular concrete situation.

5.

Develop a research paper that demonstrates an understanding of and a sustained capacity to engage with both the method and process of moral reasoning in the Catholic tradition.

Unit sequence

BS8600C Sacred Scripture: A Foundation for Teaching Religious Education CT8600C Foundational Theology for Teaching Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry

Pedagogy

Lectures, and small-group workshops and seminars.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Curran, Charles E. The Catholic Moral Tradition Today: A Synthesis. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press, 1999.
  • Gula, Richard. Just Ministry. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2010.
  • Gula, Richard. The Good Life: Where Morality and Spirituality. Converge, NJ: Paulist Press, 1999.
  • Hoose, Bernard, ed. Christian Ethics: An Introduction. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 1998.
  • Keating, James, ed. Spirituality and Moral Theology: Essays from a Pastoral Perspective. New York, NY: Paulist, 2000.
  • Lamoureux, Patricia and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Theology in Global Perspective, Edited by Peter C Phan. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2011.
  • McDonagh, Enda and Vincent MacNamara, ed. An Irish Reader in Moral Theology: The Legacy of the Last Fifty Years. Vol. I. Dublin: Columba Press, 2009.
  • O'Neil, Kevin, and Peter Black. The Essential Moral Handbook: A Guide to Catholic Living. Liguori, MO: Liguori, 2003. (Recommended for purchase)

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Short Paper 1,000 words

 1000 25.0
Essay

Short Paper 1,000 words

 1000 25.0
Essay

Research Essay (2,000 words)

 2000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-04-29 09:28:20 +1000