REL 109 Exploring Christian Ethics
Ashland University
Fall 2004
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the discipline of Christian ethics in the breadth and complexity of its ongoing questions as well as the depth of its historical resources and complexities. Students should leave the class with an enlarged understanding of the prevalent methodological and theological issues in Christian ethics and the diversity of approaches to those issues. This course is not primarily intended to address particular practical issues such as sexuality, warfare, hunger, etc. but to study the Biblical and philosophical foundations that shape how Christians understand the moral life.
Course Objectives
1. To develop an understanding of the basic methods and key themes in Christian theological ethics and be able to apply these methods and themes to contemporary and/or perennial issues facing Christians
2. To gain a foundational understanding of the Biblical sources of Christian ethics.
3. To develop the ability to critically engage readings in Christian ethics, identifying key assumptions and distinguishing poor from solid argumentation.
4. To clarify your own moral reasoning and to grapple with issues of personal integrity and morality.
Prerequisites
This course is intended as an introductory survey; there are no prerequisites. However, a background in Christian theology or the Bible would be helpful, but certainly not necessary.
The grade will be based on three factors.
Participation, preparation, and attendance 10% See below
Papers 20% each 40% See paper guidelines.
Mid-term (20%) and Final Exam (30%) 50%
If you sincerely wish to write two papers on the topics which follow the mid-term, I will consider that. You must consult with me several weeks prior to the due date of the first paper. I will not permit this option if you approach me the week that the first paper is due!
Attendance is mandatory; moreover, participation is expected. Learning to express one's ideas orally is just as much a part of a good liberal arts education as reading and writing. Moreover, it makes discussion much more exciting if more people participate rather than having one or two people dominate the discussion (especially if one of those people is me). Repeated absence from class is simply unacceptable for my course. It shows disrespect for your fellow classmates and disrupts the overall ethos of the class.
Attendance/Preparation/Participation Grade will be calculated as follows:
Grade: A
Near perfect attendance, high level of preparation, participates actively without needing to be called upon. You cannot receive an A if you miss more than three classes without excuse, no matter how good your participation is. You will not receive an A just for attending or even for responding only when called upon. “A” work is reserved for those individuals who come to class well prepared, having done the reading and sought to absorb it. “A” students bring questions to class, engage their fellow students and not just the professor, and generally make a significant contribution to the success of the class.
Grade: B
Few absences. Often did the readings but not always, participated at times. Came to class prepared on most days, but not all. Some unsolicited comments but not consistently participatory. Actively followed the class discussion even though they did not say as much as “A” work students.
Grade: C
Missed class often, seldom did readings, participated only when called upon. Note: you can get a C even if you attend every class, if you never participate.
Grade: F
Generally, this grade can only be “achieved” by working diligently to consistently miss class. If you miss more than 5-6 classes, you will receive an F.
Students with documented disabilities who require academic adjustment for this class are requested to contact me to discuss reasonable accommodations. While not require, it is in the best interest of the student have this conversation early in the semester. In order to receive academic adjustments, paperwork from Disability Services must be provided to document this need. Disability Services is located in 105 Amstutz, X 5953.
Professor Availability
Miller 35C
X5208
Office Hourse: 9:25-10:45 Tuesday/Thursday 11:00 M/W/F. Other hours available by appointment (or come by my office and see if I am in.)
Feel free to call me at home: 419-207-8517
E-mail: kfedler@ashland.edu
Lecture Notes : I provide fairly extensive lecture notes for each class. Most students find this very helpful, but it is not required that you get them. They are intended as supplements to your own note-taking, so that you do not need to write as much in class. These can also be a helpful tool in preparing for the exams. Especially for “Exploring Christian Ethics” I will often deviate from the notes in light of where the conversation leads us. However, I will still refer to the notes often. Moreover, because we are using my “textbook” the notes will often be summaries of the readings.
To retrieve. 1. Go to Ashland University Website ( www.ashland.edu ) 2. Click on “Current Student” and scroll down to Eagleweb. 3. Click student and put in I.D. and password. 4. Click on “University Online Course Notes” 5. Under the heading “Arts and Sciences” find and click “K. Fedler, Ph. D.” 6. Put your ID and password in again. 7. Click on “Academic Webpage with Course Notes” 8. Find the course.
**If you do not have a username/ID or a password, contact Information Technologies at 5405.**.
Reading Schedule
The assignments are listed for the day they are due.
Week 1 Monday August 30-Friday September 3
Introduction
Fedler, chapter 1 “Exploring Christian Ethics”
Case study: Aunt Sarah Handout
New River Iron Case Study Handout
Week 2 September 8-10 (No class on Monday, Sept. 6)
Current Debates on Ethics in a Pluralistic World
Fedler, chapter 2. “Relativism from a Christian Perspective”
Benedict, “A Defense of Moral Relativism” Packet
Stace, “A Critique of Moral Relativism” Packet
Week 3 September13-17
Approaches to Ethical Decision Making
Fedler, chapter 3 “What should we do? Approaches to Ethical Decision Making”
Case studies:
Hiroshima:
Fussel, “A Soldier's View” Handout
Fussel & Walzer, “Hiroshima: An Exchange” Handout
Surgery: MacVicar “Two Babies, One Heart” Handout
Week 4 September 20-24
On Being a Christian: Virtue and Character
Fedler, chapter 4 How should we be? Virtue, Character, and Emotions
Glen Stassen and David Gushee, “Holistic Character Ethics” in Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context Handout
Week 5 September 27- October 1
Scripture and Other sources of Wisdom/Guidance Case Study: Homosexuality
Fedler text, chapter 5 “Use of Scripture and Other Sources of Guidance”
Case study: Capital Punishment
Glen Stassen, “Biblical Teaching on Capital Punishment” Packet
Jacob Vallenga,, “ Is Capital Punishment Wrong?” Packet
Note: This is a very large assignment. Plan ahead.
Week 6 October 4-8
Key Ethical Claims and Genesis 1-3
Fedler chapter 6 “God, Humans, and Creation in Genesis 1-3”
Biblical Reading: Genesis 1-3
Weeks 7 and 8 October 11-15
Law and Justice
i. Scripture readings:
Exodus 19, 20-23:13
Deuteronomy 5-6, 22-24
Leviticus 11-13,25
ii. Fedler, ch. 7 “Mosaic Covenant: New Guidelines for a New People”
Week 9 October 18-22
Prophets
i. Scripture: 1 Kings 18-19; 21; Amos, Isaiah 65:17-25
ii. Fedler, ch. 8 “Prophets: Spokespersons for God and Troublers of Israel”
Weeks 10-11 October 25- November 5
Discipleship to Jesus Christ's Teachings
i. Scripture:
Gospel of Luke
Matthew 5-7; 25: 31-46
John 8: 1-11; 11:38-44
ii. Fedler, ch. 9 “Discipleship and the Teachings of Jesus”
i. Fedler, chapter 10 (except pages 175-181) “Imitation and the Life of Jesus”
ii. Edward LeRoy Long, “The Behavior Of Jesus” in To Liberate and Redeem H
Week 14 November 22, 29, December 1
Agape: Christian Love
i. Scripture
Deuteronomy 6: 4-5
Leviticus 19:17-18; 19:33-34
Luke 10:25-37 (Good Samaritan)
John 13, 15
I John 4:7-2
ii. Fedler, chapter 10, pages 175-181 only
iii. Ramsey, Selections from Basic Christian Ethics Handout
Case Study: Agape and Warfare
Ramsey, “Justice in War” Packet
Hauerwas, “The Theological Basis of Christian Pacifism” Packet
No class on November 24-26 Thanksgiving
Week 15 December 3-10
The Ethics of Paul
i. Scripture: Romans 1-8, 12-15; Galatians 1-3, 5
ii. Fedler, ch. 11 “The Ethics of Paul: Justification and New Creation”
iii. Fedler, Epilogue