Winter 2007/Pasadena
ET832/532
Stassen
ET832/532: METHOD FOR CONCRETENESS IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS. Glen Stassen.
DESCRIPTION: This doctoral seminar, open by special permission to a limited
number of advanced master's students, is a systematic and comparative analysis
of essential ingredients in an ethical method adequate for grappling with
concrete issues. An analytical model of essential ingredients will be used to
compare representative methods in Christian ethics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: I hope that you will develop skill in analyzing the key
variables that shape some leading methods in Christian ethics. Second, that you
will develop a holistic awareness of how these variables work together to shape
the way Christian ethicists do ethics. Third, that these two analytical and
synthesizing skills will help your writing about concrete questions in
Christian ethics. Fourth, that your analysis and comparison of these variables
can build the base for cumulative sharpening of your own self-critical
definition of these variables in your own method in Christian ethics, and thus
your own ethical growth. Fifth, that together we can discuss how to do
Christian ethics within a tradition, while learning from other traditions.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Authentic Christian ministry helps persons become
faithful disciples, which requires growing character and calling forth faithful
deeds or practices. But we are shaped powerfully by perceptions, loyalties,
beliefs, and styles of reasoning that we are often unaware of. The seminar
identifies key variables that shape our ethics, and compares how they
interact.
COURSE FORMAT: Seminar discussions, in which we help each other map different
methods in Christian ethics as they relate to a concrete issue. The seminar
will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Gushee, David. Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust. Augsburg
Fortress, 1994.
- Hauerwas, Stanley. Suffering Presence: Theological Reflections on
Medicine, the Mentally Handicapped and the Church. University of Notre Dame
Press, 1986. OR
- _________. A Community of Character: Toward a
Constructive Christian Social Ethic. University of Notre Dame Press,
1981.
- Hollenbach, David. The Common Good and Christian Ethics.
Cambridge University Press, 2002.
- Marsh, Charles. The Beloved Community. Basic Books, 2005.
- Mouw, Richard. Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.
InterVarsity Press, 1992.
- Niebuhr, Reinhold. The Children of Light and The Children of
Darkness. Scribner's, 1944.
- Rasmussen, Larry. Earth Community, Earth Ethics. Orbis, 1996.
- Sider, Ronald. Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in
America. Baker, 1999.
- Stassen, Glen, D. M.Yeager, and John Howard Yoder. Authentic
Transformation: A New Vision of Christ and Culture. Abingdon, 1996.
- Walzer, Michael. On Toleration. Yale University Press, 1997.
- West, Traci. Disruptive Christian Ethics. Westminster John Knox,
2006.
- Yoder, J. H. The Priestly Kingdom: Social Ethics as Gospel.
University of Notre Dame Press, 1984.
ASSIGNMENTS: Attend all seminar sessions prepared to analyze the readings of
the day and to hand in a two- or three-page analysis paper on the readings for
the day. Choose a concrete ethical issue; write a paper comparing two or more
ethical arguments on the issue and seeking to develop your own method. Reduced
assignment to be negotiated for 500-level students.
PREREQUISITES: For masters students: one prior course in Christian ethics and
one in theology, and written permission of instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: At the time of the exam, we shall meet for the final
seminar discussion.