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Fall 2014/Fuller Online

ET501

Rector

 

ET501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Laura Rector.

 

DESCRIPTION: This introductory course in Christian ethics seeks to shape Christian disciples for moral engagement by emphasizing the concrete meaning of Jesus’ teachings and actions for Christian living. It does so by developing the critical thinking skills used in moral analysis and by teaching a method that encourages repentance, personal and communal growth, and compassion for others’ suffering. The class follows an agenda set by the Sermon on the Mount, covering contemporary social issues.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) develop critical thinking skills needed to analyze both their own and others’ methods of making moral decisions; (2) be prepared to dialogue in an informed, thoughtful, compassionate manner with others about personal and social moral issues; (3) learn a method of moral reasoning that allows them to analyze issues beyond those covered in the course; (4) be encouraged to integrate biblical and theological reflection with experiential knowledge.

 

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: 1,010 pp. required.

Appiah, Kwame Anthony. Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. W.W. Norton, 2006. ISBN: 978-0393329339, Pub. Price $15.95 [176 pp. assigned].

De La Torre, Miguel A. Doing Christian Ethics from the Margins. 2nd ed. Orbis, 2014. ISBN: 978-1626980754, Pub. Price $35.00 [147 pp. assigned].

Sanders, Cheryl. Empowerment Ethics for a Liberated People: A Path to African American Social Transformation. Fortress, 1995. ISBN: 978-0800629175, Pub. Price $18.00 [115 pp. assigned].

Stassen, Glen, and David Gushee. Kingdom Ethics. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830826681, Pub. Price $35.00 [382 pp. assigned].

Selected articles on E-Reserve. [45 pp. assigned].

 

Your choice of ONE of the following:

Isasi-Diaz, Ada Maria. En La Lucha/In the Struggle. Fortress, 1993. ISBN: 978-0800635992, Pub. Price $23.00 [102 pp. assigned].

King, Martin Luther, Jr. Strength to Love. Fortress, 1981. ISBN: 978-0800697402, Pub. Price $24.00 [154 pp. assigned].

Marshall, Christopher D. Crowned with Glory and Honor. Cascadia, 2002. ISBN: 978-1931038041, Pub. Price $13.95 [128 pp. assigned].

Toyama, Nikki, et al, ed. More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expectations,

Relationships, Leadership, and Faith. Intervarsity, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830833719, Pub. Price $12.80 [172 pp. assigned].

Walzer, Michael. Exodus and Revolution. Basic Books, 1986. ISBN: 978-0465021635. Pub. Price $16.00 [149 pp. assigned].

Wright, N. T. Evil and the Justice of God. InterVarsity Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830833986, Pub. Price $15.00 [165 pp. assigned].

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Online learning activities: audio files, videos, directed learning activities. [15 hours].

  2. Weekly posts, responses to classmates and professor’s posts, and participation (250-350 words for initial posts, 300 words for follow-ups) reflecting on assigned reading, online lectures. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-2] [28 hours].

  3. 1,010 average pp. of required reading [68 hours].

  4. Individual wiki assignments within a group context with follow-posts for the team, helping students grow in specialized knowledge of a specific topic and apply class concepts to a topic not covered by lectures (400 words each of research, plus 100-200 words/week of group interactions/editing) - (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [14 hours writing; 8 hours group interactions/editing].

  5. A four-page, single-spaced comparison paper analyzing the methods used by a secular ethicist with a Christian ethicist’s methods, using a book of the student’s choice from the reading list (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3] [16 hours].

  6. An Ethics in the Real World Project that includes observation at a non-profit or the execution of a ministry project to help students apply class concepts beyond the classroom with plan/follow-up analysis (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [12 hours].

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C4 or TH5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets ETH in the 144 MDiv Program. Meets MAT program requirement and Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for other MA degrees (Winter 2010). Requirement in Christian Ethics emphasis and Just Peacemaking emphasis.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.