Module THMN2177: Christian Ethics

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN2177: Christian Ethics

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To help students develop an understanding of theologically informed ethical reasoning and related philosophical debates, and to enable them to apply this understanding to particular moral issues.

Content

• The relationship between faith and morality.
• The role of Scripture and tradition as sources for theological ethics.
• Models for theological ethics: natural law, virtue ethics, narrative ethics, divine command ethics.
• Philosophical debates concerning the nature of ethics.
• Current theological debates in ethics: moral absolutes, conscience, sin.
• Ethics and the law of the land, including the role of government.
• The role of ecclesiastical authority in moral theology.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will be able to:
• demonstrate a critical understanding of the varied climate of ethical thinking in the modern world.
• show an understanding of important aspects of the tradition of the Church's moral teaching.

• assess some important aspects of theological disputes in the field of ethics concerning, e. g. moral absolutes, conscience, sin.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• 14 hours contact time including lectures, group discussion, and seminars.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

In-class exercise

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University