This module provides a study of the bases for Christian Ethics in relation (e.g.) to the Bible, tradition, Natural Law or context, together with a consideration of Christian responses to selected contemporary issues such as abortion, euthanasia, sexuality, capitalism war, and the environment.

• explore the historical richness of Christian ethics and provide an overview of different Christian ethical approaches.
• foster an awareness of the many complex interacting levels on which Christian (and indeed any) ethical discourse may operate.
• explore practical examples and concrete applications that demonstrate the relevance of the theoretical questions raised in Christian ethical discourse. 
• summarise and reflect upon conclusions drawn from these explorations, and to enable students to form a nuanced view of their own on the relationship between Christian belief and ethical practice

• Occasional use of suitable visual materials such as DVD clips.
• Lectures with time for questions, class discussion and for individual reflection.
• Small group discussion
• Occasional student led discussions

Knowledge and Understanding:

• understand the range of philosophical foundations for ethics.
• understand and appreciate the variety of possible foundations for Christian ethics, including appropriate ways of using the Bible, Christian tradition and key Christian thinkers and sources.

Intellectual Skills:

• have the theoretical resources to argue for and against Christian ethical commitments in the world of today, and make informed and appropriate use of Christian resources, notably the Scriptures, in relation to contemporary ethical issues.
• The ability to discuss specific ethical issues and concerns making good practical use of these general Christian and philosophical resources.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

• To develop skills of careful ethical listening and discourse, being able to form their own ethical arguments and appreciate ethical arguments that are not their own, in a manner that balances passion and intellect, commitment and tolerance.

Transferable Skills/Employability:

• To develop ability to work in a multi-cultural and diverse society with integrity.

For this module you are required to write two summative essays. Each essay must be no more than 2,000 words. Each essay will be worth 50% of the final module mark.

Part One: Foundations of Christian Ethics
 

Week 1                                                       
Introducing Christian Ethics – Philosophy, Theology and Ethics

Week 2                                                                                                                            
The Bible and Ethics

Week 3                                                       
The Quest for Universal Ethics: Natural Law, Deontology and Utilitarianism

Week 4                                                       
Virtue Ethics: Community and Character

Week 5                                                       
Radical Voices: Liberation Theology; Feminist Ethics

Part 2: Christian Ethics in Practice

Week 6                                                       
(a). Politics and Justice

(b). War and Peace

Week 7

(a). The Environment

(b). Technology

Week 8

A rights-based Ethic:

(a). Abortion

(b). Assisted Dying

Week 9

Human Relationships:

(a). Marriage and Divorce

(b). Same-sex relationships

Week 10

Ethics and the Christian Church

Living the Christian Story

Please see Background Reading List for an indicative list.

Neil Messer SCM Study guide to Christian Ethics  SCM 2007

Peter Singer (ed.), A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell, 1991

David Cook: The Moral Maze, SPCK 1983.

R. Gill: Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics, CUP 2000.

J. Macquarrie and J Childress, eds, A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics, SCM 1986

P. Wogaman: Christian Ethics, an Historical Introduction, SPCK 1994.

Peter Vardy and Paul Grosch, The Puzzle of Ethics, Fount, 1999 New Edition