HEYTHROP COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Course Description, International Programmes

Course code Module title DT1005 Credit value 30 Academic level 4 /5

Christian Ethics
Anna Abram Core Option CertHE Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (Level 4) BD/BA Theology, DipHE Theology, CertHE Theology, BA Theology with English

Module co-ordinator Module staff Programme(s) for which chiefly intended (as core or option) Pre-requisite course(s) Co-requisite course(s) Prohibited combination Course aims

N/a N/a N/a To enable students to examine: i) The philosophical background in relation to: a) The Nature of Humankind: the Christian account of human nature compared with other theories; the worth of persons and the value of human life; the nature of conscience; the freedom of the will; b) The Nature of Human Acts: the relation of acts to consequences; acts and omissions; the principle of double effect; deontological and teleological accounts of right action. (ii) The characteristics of Christian ethics in relation to the basic Christian doctrines concerning God, humankind and society. (iii) A consideration of selected contemporary moral problems in the light of the foregoing.

Learning outcomes

Level 4 Knowledge and Understanding Students will be able to: Show knowledge and understanding of key texts, definitions, concepts, doctrines and theories; Demonstrate an awareness of a different approaches/interpretations/versions; Outline the objections to key concepts, e.g. natural rights, natural law; Explain distinctions between key concepts and attitudes, e.g. male and female sins, domination and dominion . Intellectual and Cognitive Skills Students will be able to: Discuss critically different debates and conflicts in Christian ethics; Outline some of the difficulties of interpreting biblical texts for todays moral issues; Outline and discuss arguments given for and against contemporary moral issues. Practical and Transferable Skills

Students will be able to: Conduct a systematic analysis of texts and ideologies and to debate the issues in an open-minded way; Show a developing ability to assess texts from sociocultural and historical perspectives; Construct a balanced account and assessment of opposing views; Select and organise material from a limited range of sources; Produce clear, accurate and well-structured written work; Show an ability to manage their own learning, including working effectively to deadlines. Level 5 Knowledge and Understanding Students will be able to: Show an excellent knowledge and understanding of key texts, definitions, concepts, doctrines and theories; Demonstrate an awareness of a range of approaches/interpretations/versions; Explain the objections to key concepts, e.g. natural rights, natural law; Give a clear account of distinctions between key concepts and attitudes, e.g. male and female sins, domination and dominion. Intellectual and Cognitive Skills Students will be able to: Discuss critically a range of debates and conflicts in Christian ethics; Outline the key difficulties of interpreting biblical texts for todays moral issues; Explain and analyse a range of arguments for and against contemporary moral issues. Practical and Transferable Skills Students will be able to: Conduct a systematic critical analysis of texts and ideologies and to debate the issues in an open-minded and rigorous way; Show a well-developed ability to assess texts from sociocultural and historical perspectives; Construct a detailed and balanced account and assessment of opposing views; Select and organise material from a range of sources; Produce clear, accurate and well-structured written work; Show a well-developed ability to manage their own learning, including working effectively to deadlines. Topics studied may include: How ought we to live? How do we assess difficult moral situations? Does being a Christian make a difference to the decisions we make? The study of Christian ethics seeks to provide some answers to these general questions as well as looking at areas of particular difficulty, and will draw on previous

Indicative course content

work biblical, philosophical and historical that you have undertaken in the course of your degree. Learning and teaching methods Resources available on the Virtual Learning Environment may include: Subject guide Articles, extracts from longer texts, and/or links to other electronic resources Course discussion forum Opportunities for formative feedback include: Essay-marking service Tutoring at a supporting institution Selected Bibliography:
Select from the following: Anderson, Terence R. Environmental ethics in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics. (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.196 98. Cahill, Lisa Sowle Abortion in M acquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.1 5. Childress, James F. Sin(s) in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.585 86. Deidun, Tom The Bible and ethics in Hoose, B. (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction. (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0303702641] pp.146. Evans, Mark Just war theory: a reappraisal . (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005) [ISBN 9780748620753]. Gill, Robin (ed.) The Cambridge companion to Christian ethics . (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000) [ISBN 9780521779180]. Gula, Richard M. Conscience in Hoose, B. (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction. (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0303702641] pp.11022. Gula, Richard M. What are they saying about moral norms? (New York: Paulist Press, 1982) [ISBN 0809124122]. Hannon, Patrick Morality and law in Hoose, B. (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction. (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0304702641] pp.18698. Hare, R.M. Utilitarianism in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.640 43. Hoose, Bernard (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction. (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0303702641]. Hoose, Bernard The punishment of criminals in Hoose, B. (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction . (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0303702641] pp.199209. Houlden, J.L. Paul, ethical teaching of in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.45760. Hughes, Gerard J. Natural law in B. Hoose (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction. (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0303702641] Chapter 2. Kelly, Kevin New directions in moral theology . (London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1992) [ISBN 0225666391]. Little, David Natural rights in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.414 15.

MacNamara, Vincent The distinctiveness of Christian morality in Hoose, B. (ed.) Christian ethics: an introduction. (London: Cassell, 1998) [ISBN 0303702641] pp.149 62. Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045]. Messer, Neil SCM study guide to Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 2006) [ISBN 9780334029953]. Nelson, James B. Homosexuality in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.27174. Wood, Thomas Euthanasia in Macquarrie, John and James F. Childress (eds) A new dictionary of Christian ethics . (London: SCM, 1993) [ISBN 0334022045] pp.210 12.

Selected other recommended texts

Lists of further reading are provided in the subject guide.

Assessment Student evaluation opportunities Indicative student time allocation Date of module description development or modification

Three-hour examination Annual online student feedback survey 300 hours 16/11/2011