Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module TMMC2247: Introduction to Christian Ethics

Department: Theology, Ministry and Mission

TMMC2247: Introduction to Christian Ethics

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To help students articulate a critical appreciation of the ways Christian faith informs and shapes the moral life of communities and individuals.
  • To develop in students a well-informed understanding and critical appreciation of the theological resources available for Christian reflection on ethical issues.
  • To develop in students skills to apply these resources faithfully to selected moral questions.

Content

  • A theological account of the Christian moral life and of core Christian moral concepts and methods.
  • An exploration of moral mind-sets which influentially shape contemporary thinking about ethics.
  • Application to some moral issues from areas such as ecological, economic, medical, political and sexual ethics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students will be able to:
  • Explain how we are shaped morally, analysing and evaluating some theological resources available for Christian reflection on ethical issues. [SSK 2]
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module students will be able to:
  • Apply these theological resources appropriately and critically to at least one moral issue, reflecting in an informed manner on familiar and unfamiliar views, working towards mature judgements and recognising the importance of knowing the limits of knowledge. [SSS 3]
Key Skills:
  • By the end of this module students will be able to:
  • Identify, gather and evaluate source materials for a range of purposes.
  • Undertake a critical analysis of information and arguments, communicating the results effectively to non-specialist audiences, showing critical awareness of their own beliefs, commitments and prejudices.
  • Take responsibility for a task that involves independent inquiry; the management of time, resources and use of IT; meeting deadlines, evaluating the task and learning from it.

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

  • enter text as appropriate for the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 8 1.75 16
Personal study 84
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

<enter text as appropriate for the module>


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