SOLUSI UNIVERSITY
(A Chartered Seventh-day Adventist Institution of Higher Learning)
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
FACULTY OF: THEOLOGY AND CHAPLAINCY
DEPARTMENT: THEOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Code and Name: RELT 355 Religion & Ethics in Modern Society
Pre-requisite: None ( Must be at least in 2nd or 3rd year)
No. of Credits: 3
Course Dates:September–December, 2023
Course Modality: Face to face lecturer/student experience
Course Time: 5:30-8:30 pm Sunday-Thursday
Meeting Room: 10
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a study of major ethical theories and their application to educational, business and current life issues and ethical decision making base on Christian perspective. Ethical case studies will be examined in detail, backed by biblical foundations. Pertinent and related readings will be discussed and time for reflective writing made available. Typical examples of topics discussed include professional ethics, euthanasia, abortion, sexual ethics and various other issues.
COURSE RATIONALE:
The major goal of the course is to expose students to a Christian framework of values and ethics, leading them to make God-honouring decisions in a truth-relative world.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Define two major categories of ethical theories: consequentialist and nonconsequentialist.
2. Identify major theorists and their contributions to ethical theories.
3. Analyze and verbally discuss a controversial ethical issue from both ethical theories.
4. Analyze and present in writing a controversial ethical issue from both ethical theories.
5. Present to the class one case study and reflect upon its resolution.
6. Demonstrate ethical decision making process in class presentation or case study discussions
7. Analyze and evaluate ethical dilemmas associated with day to day life issues such as abortion, euthanasia, business ethics, research ethics etc
COURSE RESOURCES:
Textbooks:
Sullivan S. & Percorino, P A. Ethics –An online Textbook
https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/ppecorino/ethics_text/default.htm
Archie , L Archie, J,G. Introduction to Ethical Studies, ( )
https://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/ethicsbook.pdf
Sullivan, R.J. (1989). Immanuel Kant’s Moral Theory. NY: Cambridge University Press.
Feinerg J. & Feinberg, P. (2014)Ethics for a Brave New World, 2nd
Smith, K. G .(2016). A Practical Guide to Biblical Ethics (Practical Guides to Christian Life, Ministry, and Theology Book 1) Kindle Edition
https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Biblical-Christian-Ministry-Theology-ebook/dp/B01JWHHEI2
Supplementary Reading:
Sommers, Christina, "Are We Living in a Moral Stone Age?," Imprimis, V. 27, N.3, March, 1998.
Himmelfarb, Gertrude, "A De-moralized Society?," Forbes, September 14, 1992.
Kohlberg, Lawrence, "The Cognitive-Development Approach to Moral Education", Taking Sides (ed. James Noll), 6th edition, Guilford, Ct., Dushkin Publishing, 1991.
Wynne, Edward, "The Great Tradition in Education:" Transmitting Moral Values, "Taking Sides (ed. James Noll), 6th edition, Guilford, Ct., Dushkin Publishing, 1991.
VII VIDEOS:
Professional Ethics: 174.9372 P 964,1991
SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES
Baum, R.J. Professional Ethics: A Multidisciplinary Journal. (A Quarterly journal – first publication, Summer, 1992)
Bennett, W.J. (1993). A Book of Virtues. NY: Simon & Schuster.
Board, C.D. (1965). Five Types of Ethical Theory. NJ: Littlefield.
Dewey, J. (1975). Moral Principles in Education. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.
Finnis, J. (1983). Fundamentals of Ethics. Oxford: Georgetown University Press.
Franklin, W.K. (1965). Three Historical Philosophies of Education. NY: Scott, Foresman & Co.
Gewirth, A. (1991). Can any final ends be rational? Ethics, 102, 66-95.
Glasser, J.W. (1994). Three Realms of Ethics. Kansas City: Sheed & Ward.
Glover, J. (Ed.). (1990). Utilitarianism and Its Critics. NY: Macmillan Publishing Company.
Goodlad, J. (1990). Moral Dimensions of Teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Josephson, M. (1992). Developing moral values in youth. Ethics: Easier Said Than Done. 34-88.
Kant, I. (1963). Lectures on Ethics. NY: Harper & Row.
Kidder, R. (1994). Shared Values for a Troubled World. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Kipnis, K. (1987). How to discuss professional ethics. Young Children. 26-30.
Kirby, S.C. (1993). Values in Leadership for Catholic Higher Education. Cincinnati: SCHCS.
Lerner, M. (1976). Values in Education. IN: Phi Delta Kappa.
Lickona, T. (1991). Educating for Character. NY: Bantam Books.
McClellan, B.E. (1992). Schools and The Shaping of Character: Moral Education in America, 1607-Present. IN: ERIC.
Mill, J.S. (1987). Utilitarianism and Other Essays. London: Penguin Books.
Murphy, J. (1991). Visions and Values in Catholic Higher Education. Kansas City: Sheed & Ward.
Nash, R.J. (1991). Three Conceptions of Ethics for Teacher Educators. Journal of Teacher Education, 42, 163-72.
Russo, F.X. (1990). Confronting Educational Issues. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Scheffler, S. (1988). Consequentialism and Its Critics. NY: Oxford University Press.
Schulte, J.M. & Cochrane, D.B. (1995). Ethics in School Counseling. NY: Teachers College.
Shaughnessy, M.A. (1993). Ethics and The Law: A Teacher’s Guide to Decision-Making. Washington, DC: NCEA.
Sockett, H. (1993). The Moral Base for Teacher Professionalism. NY: Teachers College.
Strike, K.A. & Ternasky, P.L. (Eds.). (1993). Ethics for Professionals in Education. NY: Teachers College.
Sullivan, R.J. (1989). Immanuel Kant’s Moral Theory. NY: Cambridge University Press.
Vaughan, G. (1992). Dilemmas of Leadership: Ethics in the Community College. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Wilcox, J. & Ebbs, S. (1992). The Leadership Compass: Values and Ethics in Higher Education. Washington, DC: ASHE-ERIC.
COURSE INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES & COURSE ACTIVITIES:
In this course the student will participate in various pedagogical strategies such as the following; Lecture, video, role play, case studies, individual presentations, In-class discussion, small group discussion, collaborative dialogues between students, reflective writing as well as Guest presenters. Consultation with the instructor outside of class is encouraged.
.
Assignments
There are 2 major assignments in this course. Assignment 1 and Assignment 3
Assignment 1
Reading Assignment:
Book Pastoral Ministry (E. G. White) : Chapter 9 Ministerial Ethics
Devotional Book Be like Jesus- Chapter 155 (June 4)
Read and make a 5 point summary of Ethical principles
I page long
Due Date TBA
Assignment 2 In class presentation Assignment
Due date TBA
Assignment 3 Case Studies
Given 2 case studies
Using Ethical Framework Discuss how you make a wise ethical decision.
Due Date TBA
COURSE CONTEN OUTLINE AND ACTIVTIES
|
SESSION |
Topics |
Specific Goals |
IFVL ACTIVITY |
|
Week 1 |
Overview of Ethics as a discipline Role of Ethics and Values in Society |
discuss the importance of ethics &values society |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 2 |
Teleological theories, Deontological Theories
|
Describe major theories in ethics and how each may be applied in solving ethical issues Teleological, deontological, fairness & justice |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 3 |
Rawls Theory- Justice & Fairness Relativism & Post modernism. |
key tenets of relativism & post modernism theories
|
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 4 |
Other modern Theories of Ethics Feminism Existentialism |
LECTURE NOTES COMPARING DIFFERENT THEORIES |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 5 |
Sources of Ethics and Morality Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory Biblical Basis of moral Decisions |
Discuss Relationship between religion and Ethics |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 6 |
MIDSEMESTER EXAMS |
|
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 7 |
Reading Assignment lecture Discussion
|
Imbedded in the course |
|
|
Week 8 |
Situation Ethics |
BIBLICAL Decision making framework in various situations |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 9 |
Conflict of Interest
|
discuss principles for managing conflict oFinterest |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 10 |
Framework for ethical decision making |
DISCUSSION ON PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 11 |
Corporate ethics, business ethics
|
Lecture Discussion |
Imbedded in the course |
|
Week 12 |
Other ethical issues – Business Ethics, Medical Ethics, Abortion, Euthanasia, academic. Grading & assessment Research ethics Discipline, Incentives, Hiring and Firing employees
|
PRESENTATION OF CASE STUDIES |
- Teacher: Costance Chifamba