DESCRIPTION:

In our age of technology, the most fundamental issues concerning the beginning of life (e.g. prenatal screening, abortion, reproductive technologies, embryonic stem cell research) and death (e.g. active and passive euthanasia, organ and tissue donation, quality vs. quantity of life) have become dizzyingly complicated. This course offers an opportunity to investigate both secular and religious approaches, with an emphasis on how Christians uniquely understand these issues in light of our faith.

This course focuses not only on cognitive ethical arguments surrounding these issues but also on the responsibility of Christians to be a compassionate presence in a culturally, religiously, and morally pluralistic world. At the very least, all of us face our own death. This course should therefore be relevant to missionaries, lay people, therapists, and ministers--all who wish to offer Christian hope and healing amidst the joys and sadnesses that arise at the beginning and end of life.

The course will consist of lectures (with an emphasis on case studies), occasional movies and documentaries, student presentations, and overall rely heavily on discussion of readings. Guest speakers will share from their experience as ministers and hospital chaplains. Students will be encouraged--though not required--to develop short devotions for the class. The course will meet twice weekly for four-hour sessions for five weeks.

Bregman, Lucy. Beyond Silence and Denial: Death and Dying Reconsidered. Westminster John Knox, 1999.

Kilner, John F., Paige C. Cunningham, and W. David Hager, eds. The Reproduction Revolution: A Christian Appraisal of Sexuality, Reproductive Technologies, and the Family. Eerdmans, 2000.

Course Reader.

Nuland, Sherwin. How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter. Vintage Press, 1993.

Reoch, Richard. To Die Well: A Holistic Approach for the Dying and Their Caregivers. HarperPerennial,1998.

This course depends heavily on students doing the reading and discussing it with one another. In addition, the following three assignments are required:

1. One presentation to the class on articles we are reading, including an outline of the articles followed by critical reflection upon it (a 3-5 page handout) (25%);

2. A weekly journal entry, reflecting on our reading and discussion of these issues (25%);

3. A final project, which can be either a) a 10-15 page paper or b) an alternative assignment the student and instructor develop together (50%).

None.

Elective.

None.