Fall 2019/Houston

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 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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course examines the ethical relationship between the church and society.It explores and applies theological approaches to a variety of ethical issues including human sexuality, race, the environment, economics, and politics. Upon successful completion of this course, students have demonstrated the ability to understand a theological basis for Christian ethics in the public square; it thereby seeks to implement the SOT PLO, “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be held on the Fuller Texas campus on Tuesdays from 1-4pm. Classes will involve a combination of lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: Approx. 1,200 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. [216 pp.].

Selected Reading: Students may select four out of five book categories (Approx. 1,000 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 $26.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [200 pp].

2. Racial Ethics

Cone, James H. God of the Oppressed. Revised Edition. Orbis, 1997. ISBN: 1570751587. Pub. Price $17.40. [226pp].

3. 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. [204pp.]

4. Political Ethics

Koyzis, David T. Political Visions and Illusions: Second Edition. InterVarsity Press, 2019. ISBN:

0830852425. Pub. Price $21.92. [230pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

[230 pp].

5. Marketplace Ethics

Goudzwaard, Bob. Capitalism and Progress: A Diagnosis of Western Society. Paternoster, 1997.

ISBN: 0853647704. (out of print) Free online copies on Canvas. [224 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1,200 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [80 hours].
  2. Reflection Papers. Students will complete five (1200 word) reflection papers on their readings (50% of total grade). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [35 hours].
  3. Final paper (4,000 words). The final term paper is the signature assignment for ET513. This research 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 (30% of total grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3 and #4]. [35 hours].
  4. Final exam. The final exam covers the reading and 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.