Bernard Walker, Ph

TS505: Christian Social Ethics Bernard Walker, Ph. D Spring 2008, Mod S Bethel Seminary March 24th-May 19th [email protected] Tuesday 8:00-10:15 pm Office hours: by appointment Room 100

TS505: CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on social ethics within a Christian worldview. First we will begin with an analysis and negative criticism of popular attitudes towards ethics (MOTS). Secondly, we will examine the relationship(s) God and Scripture have towards ethics (whether they be metaphysical or epistemological). Thirdly, we will analyze “ethics proper” in so far as metaethics and normative ethics are concerned. Finally, we will concentrate on the application of normative ethical theories to a number of specific ethical issues facing Christians today.

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to: a. Formulate and implement a plan for ethical decision making b. Analyze, evaluate, and use the following types of ethical justification: utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, natural law and virtue ethics theory. c. Develop an understanding of moral epistemology and metaethics and their impact on ethical issues. d. Develop an understanding and analyze the bases of Christian ethical theories and their impact on contemporary ethical issues. e. Critically assess and analyze popular views of ethics, i.e., MOTS.

Procedures and Methods The presentation of information in this course will involve primarily lecture and student discussion. Come to class everyday prepared to participate in class discussion, based primarily on assigned material. Do not hesitate to ask questions for clarification; ethics is a difficult but not impossible discipline to understand. Also, each student will acquire information from his/her involvement in a required group presentation and class case studies.

Required texts: . Rachels, James, and Stuart Rachels. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill, 2007, 0073125474. . Emerson, M. and C. Smith. Divided By Faith Oxford U. Press, 2000. ISBN 0195147073 . Clark and Rakestraw, Readings in Christian Ethics, Volume 2: Issues and Applications. Baker, 1996. ISBN 978-0-8010-2056-8 . Blackboard readings: 1. Kant, Immanuel. “Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals.” Ethics: Selections from classical and contemporary writers, edited by Oliver A. Johnson, 183-208. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1958. 2. Kaye, Sharon M. and Harry J. Gensler. “Is God the Source of Morality?” God Matters: Readings in the philosophy of religion, edited by Raymond Martin and Christopher Bernard, 481-87. New York: Longman, 2003. 3. Mill, John Stuart. “Utilitarianism.” Ethics: Selections from classical and contemporary writers, edited by Oliver A. Johnson, 247-70. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1958. 4. Morriston, Wes. 2001. “Must There Be a Standard of Moral Goodness Apart from God?” Philosophia Christi Series 2, 3: 127-138. Paper is located on Wes Morrison's website at: http://spot.colorado.edu/~morristo/goodness.html 5. Walker, Bernard, "Ethics" (37 single-spaced pages) 6. Walker, Bernard, “Informal fallacies” (20 pages-single spaced)

Assignments: 1. Attendance: Since lecture and discussion are important, I expect you to attend class. Any expected or unexpected absences must be reported on or before the day of the absences when assignments are due in order to be eligible to makeup the assignments. All makeup assignments must be completed ASAP! Any problems with Blackboard assignments MUST be reported to me immediately!

2. Readings: Textbook and Blackboard reading assignments are listed on the course schedule. On the final exam, I’ll ask you to affirm that you’ve completed your textbook reading.

3. Required group presentation in class. No more than 4 students to a group. See the schedule for topics and dates.

I. Requirements for presentation

A) Each group is required to meet at least twice to organize the group’s oral presentation. Decide who will say what and what will be presented. If you want to present audio or visual material, you need to get the approval from Dr. Walker.

B) Someone from each group must turn in a typed one-page outline of the group’s presentation. This is due before or on the day of the presentation. The outline should provide brief statements about what each person will say.

C) Each person in each group is responsible for turning in a four-page typed (12 pt) defense of what he/she will say on the day of the presentation.

D) Each person’s oral presentation must be at least five minutes.

E) A bibliography research sheet per student: Each student’s research should include at least 6 references that are post 1990. The references are to be scholarly journals AND books. Dictionaries do not count as references. One of the references should be a journal or book that argues against your position. II. Format for presentation

A). Stage One: Each person in the group presents his/her oral presentation at the podium. Your group can either do a group debate or a group presentation. The details for both the debate and presentation will be discussed in class.

B). Stage Two: Comments from class.

4. Exams: There will be a course examination on Blackboard (from Tuesday, April 29th at 12:00 am to Sunday, May 4th at 11:55 pm.) You will choose any two hour period during this time span to take the examination. The examination will cover material from the first week to week five. The questions will be T/F, multiple choice and essay.

Below is the grading scale:

Course examination Group Presentation A=100-90 A=50-45 B=89-80 B=44-40 C=79-70 C=39-35 D=69-60 D=34-30

You can earn a maximum of 150 points for the course.

Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Syllabus page in Blackboard. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Schedule:

**The topics for the group presentations are underlined below. Placement within a group will be determined by a first come first serve basis. E-mail me your top two requests by the 2nd week of class.** **The professor reserves the right to adjust the schedule as necessary**

DATE TOPIC READINGS ASSIGNMENTS

a) What ethics is not: Popular views of Blackboard reading #5: pp.1-9; 3/24 ethics (MOTS); Customs, upbringing and Rachels: pp.16-34 and culture; b) Ethical epistemology: ethical opinion, ethical truth, ethical myopia and ethical judging

a) Informal fallacies Blackboard reading #6 3/31 The nature of ethics proper: b) Metaethics: What is ethics?; What do Blackboard reading #5: pp.11- terms like good, bad, right and wrong 14 mean?

The nature of ethics proper: Rachels: pp.52-67; 173-190; 4/7 a) The relationship between God, and Blackboard readings #2, 4, Scripture and Ethics and 5 (pp.25-38) b) Natural Law c) Virtue Ethics

The nature of ethics proper: Blackboard reading #1; 4/14 a) Normative Ethics: Deontology Blackboard reading # 5: pp14- Group case studies 17; and Rachels: pp.117-140.

The nature of ethics proper: Blackboard reading #3; 4/21 a) Normative Ethics: Utilitarianism Blackboard reading # 5: pp.17- Group case studies 25; and Rachels: pp.89-116.

Applied Ethics: Divided by Faith: pp. 1-133; Exam on 4/28 a) Abortion Blackboard reading #5: pp. 38- Blackboard b) Race and social ethics 45, 50-59; and Clark and Rakestraw: pp.21-51, 261-291.

1. Christianity and warfare Clark and Rakestraw: pp. 489- Group presentations 5/5 2. The Bible and environmental ethics 524, 381-420

3. Euthanasia Clark and Rakestraw: pp. 95- Group presentations 5/12 4. Gender and ethics 136, 293-335

5. Homosexuality Clark and Rakestraw: pp.177- Group Presentations 5/19 6. Reproductive technology 223, 57-93