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Course Offerings

Course Details

Fall 2010-2011
* REL 261 / CHV 261 (EM)  

Christian Ethics and Modern Society

Eric S. Gregory

An introduction to Christian ideals of conduct, character, and community, and to modern disputes over their interpretation and application. Are Christian virtues and principles fundamentally at odds with the ethos of liberal democracy oriented toward rights, equality, and freedom? What do Christian beliefs and moral concepts imply about issues related to feminism, racism, and pluralism? What is the relationship between religious convictions, morality, and law? Special emphasis on selected political and economic problems, sexuality and marriage, bioethics, capital punishment, the environment, war, and the role of religion in public life.

Sample reading list:
Obama, Nobel Peace Prize Speech
Niebuhr, Democracy, Secularism, and Christianity
Hauerwas, The Peaceable Kingdom
John Paul II, Euthanasia
Rorty, Religion as Conversation Stopper
Thomson, A Defense of Abortion
See instructor for complete list

Reading/Writing assignments:
Careful reading of the assigned materials each week and regular participation in preceptorial discussion. Two 5- page critical reflection papers.

Requirements/Grading:
Mid Term Exam - 20%
Final Exam - 30%
Papers - 30%
Class/Precept Participation - 20%

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
25118 L01 11:00 am - 11:50 am T Th   Friend Center of Engineering   101   Enrolled:187 Limit:230
P01 10:00 am - 10:50 am M   Class of 1879 Hall   137   Enrolled:12 Limit:12
P02 11:00 am - 11:50 am M   Class of 1879 Hall   137   Enrolled:9 Limit:12
P02A 11:00 am - 11:50 am M   Class of 1879 Hall   133   Enrolled:10 Limit:12
P03 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm T   Class of 1879 Hall   137   Enrolled:11 Limit:12
P03A 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm T   Class of 1879 Hall   133   Enrolled:10 Limit:12
P04 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm T   Class of 1879 Hall   137   Enrolled:12 Limit:12
P05 7:30 pm - 8:20 pm T   Frist Campus Center   206   Enrolled:11 Limit:12
P06 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm W   Class of 1879 Hall   137   Enrolled:14 Limit:12
P07 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm W   McCosh Hall   B12   Enrolled:10 Limit:12
P08 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm W   McCosh Hall   B12   Enrolled:11 Limit:12
P09 9:00 am - 9:50 am Th   Class of 1879 Hall   133   Enrolled:9 Limit:12
P10 10:00 am - 10:50 am Th   Class of 1879 Hall   133   Enrolled:13 Limit:12
P10A 10:00 am - 10:50 am Th   McCosh Hall   26   Enrolled:9 Limit:12
P10B 10:00 am - 10:50 am Th   McCosh Hall   30   Enrolled:11 Limit:12
P11 12:30 pm - 1:20 pm Th   Class of 1879 Hall   137   Enrolled:13 Limit:12
P12 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm Th   Class of 1879 Hall   133   Enrolled:12 Limit:12
P13 8:30 pm - 9:20 pm T   Frist Campus Center   206   Enrolled:10 Limit:12