Fall 2020/Fuller Online

ET513

Kaemingk

ET513: PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL ETHICS (4 Units: 162 hours). Matthew Kaemingk.

DESCRIPTION: This course will examine the ethical relationship between the church and society.We will explore and apply evangelical approaches to a variety of ethical issues including human sexuality, race, the environment, economics, and politics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated: (1)the ability to understand and articulate a theological bases for Christian ethics in the public square, (2) the ability to apply different ethical approaches to the church’s public witness in civic discourse,(3) confidence in the way of Jesus and humility in offering a Christian ethic in the public square, and(4) the ability to evaluate contemporary social issues and offer a theological basis for a Christian moral response to those issues in a winsome manner.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: Approx. 1,100 pages required.

Marsh, Charles. The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice from the Civil Rights Movement to Today. Basic Books, 2006. ISBN: 978-0465044160. Pub Price $17.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [152 pp.].

Wilkens, Steve ed. Christian Ethics: Four Views. IVP Academic, 2017. ISBN:978-0830840236. Pub Price $24.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp.].

Selected Reading: Students select three book categories (Approx. 850 pages)

  1. Creation Ethics

Bouma-Prediger, Steven. For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care (2nd Edition). Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801036958. Pub Price $28.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [200 pp].

  1. Sexual Ethics

Jones, Beth Felker. Faithful: A Theology of Sex. Zondervan, 2015. ISBN:978-0310518273. Pub. Price $11.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [90 pp.].

Hill, Wesley. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality Updated and Expanded Edition. Zondervan, 2016. ISBN: 978-0310534198. Pub Price $16.99. [204 pp.]

  1. Cultural Ethics

Rah, Soong-Chan. The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity. InterVarsity Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830833603. Pub Price $20.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [200 pp.].

  1. Interfaith Ethics

Kaemingk, Matthew. Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in An Age of Fear. Eerdmans, 2018. ISBN:978-0802874580. Pub. Price $28.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [215 pp.].

  1. Political Ethics

Koyzis, David T. Political Visions and Illusions (2nd Edition). InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830827268. Pub. Price $27.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [230 pp. assigned].

  1. Marketplace Ethics

Goudzwaard, Bob. Capitalism and Progress: A Diagnosis of Western Society. Paternoster, 1997. ISBN: 978-0853647706. Out of print, available used online. Free electronic copies available on Canvas.[224 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Class discussion and participation. Two weekly posts (250 words each). (30% of total grade). [This is related to all learning outcomes] [20 hours].
  2. 1,200 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [80 hours].
  3. Weekly Lessons. [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes] [8 hours].
  4. Reflection Papers. Students will complete three (four page) reflection papers on the three ethical categories that they select (politics, economics, sexual, etc.) (25% of total grade). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [12 hours].
  5. Final paper (4000 words). The final term paper is the signature assignment for ET513. This scholarly paper has to engage at least two different Christian ethical perspectives on the same ethical issue or variable in light of a student’s own particular cultural context (25% of total grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3 and #4]. [32 hours].
  6. Final exam. The final exam covers the lecture content in the course. (20% of total grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4]. [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:Fulfills the TH5 or TH6 requirements in the 120 MDiv Program (Fall 2016). Fulfills the TH6 requirement in the 80 MAT and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2016). Option to meet the C4 or TH5 requirements in the 120 MDiv Program (Fall 2014). Option to meet the C4 requirement in the 80 MATM and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets ETH in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.