Course Details in

Module Title	Theological Ethics
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Theology and Religion
Module Code	09 21389
Module Lead	Rev Dr Jeremy Kidwell
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1 or 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	MOMD numbers may be limited if necessary to ensure the quality of the student experience and manage staff workload. Students should ordinarily have successfully completed some modules in Theology and Religion and possess some elementary theological awareness.
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Seminar-10 hours Tutorial-3 hours Guided independent study-157 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module will introduce you to the nature, methods, insights, and contested dynamics of contemporary theological ethics. For example, is there anything distinctive about theological, as opposed to other kinds of ethics? What are some of the norms and principles that might inform such ethics? In what ways might theology, the Bible and other religious scriptures, common reason and the life of the church and other faith communities help to shape theological ethics? Why do members of the same faith communities, using the same sources seem to come to very different conclusions about ethical issues? How does theological ethical thinking and practice relate to other kinds of moral reasoning and practice in the contemporary world? How do and might people of faith contribute to contemporary moral debates and issues? After looking at some main theories and methods in ethical thinking you will go on to apply your theoretical knowledge by evaluating and analysing the place of theological ethical approaches and insights in relation to a variety of social and personal issues in contemporary Western society. This module will help you to think and argue better, and improve your analytical skills. It will require you to contribute fully to complex discussions of issues - helping you to speak more confidently and cogently. Your most treasured assumptions, norms and values may be called into question as you engage with some of the most contentious and interesting issues of our time. Ethics is about dynamic discussion, disagreement and argument about the nature of reality and of God and moral norms. This means that this module will involve your full participation, both orally and in writing. You may not be a morally better person when you have finished it, but you should be more aware of the complexity of contemporary ethical debates and assumptions, and you should be better able to hold your own in a complex and sensitive ethically-related discussion.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: outline some of the main distinctive features of theological ethics explain some of the main elements that contribute to the norms and methods of theological ethics expound how theological ethics relates to non-theological ethical systems, methods and insights identify and expound some current issues and debates using a range of appropriate methods, insights and sources, including sources drawn from the internet suggest and justify an ethical position within the context of live ethical discussion develop an ethically informed argument identify some of the strengths and weaknesses of a range of commonly used arguments and positions, identifying some of the assumptions, norms and values that underlie them prepare and present a topic for a seminar discussion through use of a handout
Assessment	21389-02 : 2000 word essay : Coursework (60%) 21389-04 : 1500 word essay (seminar handout) : Coursework (40%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 1 x 2,000 word essay on the first part of the course (theory and methods) (60%), 1 x handout for seminar presentation of 1,500 words (40%). Reassessment: As above.
Other
Reading List