Summer 2008/Pasadena
Two-week intensive: July 7-18
ET501
Rector
ET501: CHRISTIAN ETHICS. 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
issues such as the sanctity of life (violence, peacemaking, abortion),
sexuality, truth-telling, love, justice (economic, racial, gender, and
ecological), and prayer.
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.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The course will help students to more adequately
articulate complex moral realities in order to strengthen, encourage, and teach
the body of Christ, as well as bear witness to others by living the gospel in
their communities.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture and discussion for four hours each day for two
weeks.
REQUIRED READING:
- King, Martin Luther, Jr. Strength to Love. Walker & Co.,
1996.
- Sider, Ronald. Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in
America. Baker, 1999.
- Stassen, Glen, and David Gushee. Kingdom Ethics. InterVarsity Press,
2002.
- Students will also choose one of the following
parallel reading tracks:
- Clark, David K., and Robert V. Rakestraw. Readings in Christian
Ethics, Vol. 2: Issues and Applications. Baker, 1996.
- De La Torre, Miguel A. Christian Ethics from the Margins. Orbis,
2004. And Tooley, Michelle. Voices of the Voiceless: Women,
Justice, and Human Rights in Guatemala. Herald, 1997.
- Townes, Emilie. In a Blaze of Glory: Womanist Spirituality as Social
Witness. Abingdon, 1995.
And Perkins, Spencer, and
Chris Rice. More Than Equals. InterVarsity Press, 1993.
- Smedes, Lewis. Mere Morality. Eerdmans, 1987.
And
Gushee, David. Getting Marriage Right. Baker, 2004.
- Stassen, Glen, ed. Just Peacemaking: Ten Practices for Abolishing
War. Pilgrim, 1998 or 2004.
And Marshall,
Christopher D. Crowned with Glory and Honor. Pandora, 2001.
- Doug McConnell, Jennifer Orona, Paul Stockley, eds. Understanding God's
Heart for Children: Toward a Biblical Framework. World Vision, 2007.
And Thurman, Howard. Jesus and the Disinherited. Beacon,
1996. [Students may NOT choose this if they have previously taken
MD543].
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Midterm exam (20%). (2) Reading discussion guides requiring a
synthesis of the parallel reading material with the methods for ethical
analysis learned in class (20%). (3) A four-hour observation of ethics in
practice at a nonprofit organization along with a three-page, single-spaced
reflective summary OR a three-hour ministry project, along with a one-page,
single-spaced ministry plan and one-page, single-spaced follow-up analysis
(20%). (4) A five-page, single-spaced paper addressing one specific area of
ethical concern that demonstrates the methods for ethical analysis presented in
the required reading (20%). (5) Final exam (20%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Christian Ethics
(ETH).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (5/08)