REL 33500 Christianity, Ethics and Modern Society

(GE-Phl-Rel) This course serves as an introduction to Christian ideals of moral conduct and formation, community life, and modern disputes over the interpretation and application of these ideals. The course takes up questions such as: what do Christian beliefs and moral concepts imply about issues related to feminism, racism, economic practices, and pluralism? Are traditional Christian virtues and principles at odds with modern liberal democracy and its values rooted in post-enlightenment concepts of human rights, equality, and freedom The first half of the course will cover the history of Christian ethics. In the second half emphasis will be placed on a series of case studies covering contemporary social, political, and economic problems such as: marriage, homosexuality, abortion, bioethics, capital punishment, just war, the environmental crisis, and religion in the public square.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

ENGL 17000 or HIS 10000 or three credit hours of philosophy (PHL 10200 or higher) or three credit hours of religion (REL 15000 or higher) or permission of dean

Offered

Spring semester of even-numbered years only.