Christian Ethics
Sex, Money, and Difference

REL 260 / 2 Credits / Northwestern College / Spring 2010

 Instructor: Dr. Michael Andres, andres@nwciowa.edu

Office/Hours: VPH115; Mon, Tue, Fri 3:30-5:00pm; ext. 7079

Class Time: MWF 10:40-11:40; 1/12-3/5

Class Location: VPH117

Course Description:

This course is a biblically based, theologically and historically informed study of both personal and social moral issues from a Christian perspective.

 Course Objectives:

• Students will identify key resources necessary for responsible Christian ethical reflection.
• Students will develop not only a personal approach to ethical reflection, but to develop a pastoral and social approach to persons involved with given ethical issues.
• Students will identify some of the current areas of ethical debate, articulate various positions held by Christians in these areas, and formulate one’s own moral beliefs.

Required Texts:

• Bible (modern translation, no paraphrase; bring to every class period).
• Clark, David and Rakestraw, Robert, eds, Readings in Christian Ethics, Vol 2: Issues and Applications (Baker, 2000).
• Simon, Arthur, How Much is Enough? Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture (Baker, 2003).
• Via, Dan and Gagnon, Robert, Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views (Fortress, 2003).

Course Requirements:

• Class attendance/participation: Participation highly encouraged.  Attendance is mandatory. After two unexcused absences, students will be graded down one half letter grade for every subsequent unexcused absence.  Students may not use laptop computers in class.  You may transfer written notes to your computer later.  Please turn cell phones completely off before class begins (not on ‘vibrate’). 
• Readings: Readings should be completed before class time listed. Students are responsible to be aware of forthcoming reading assignments given in syllabus.
• Case Studies:  Students should read and prepare to participate in an informed discussion of given moral issue.  In discussions students should make use of various sources for Christian ethical reflection (e.g. Scripture, tradition, reason, science, experience), and careful, sensitive application.
• Quizzes: Students are required to take six quizzes over terms from reading.  Lowest score dropped.
• Book Analysis:  Compare and contrast the views of Via and Gagnon, Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views, on biblical authority, interpretation, relation of OT to NT, the relevance of what is "natural" or "inborn", cultural relativity, and the role of experience.  Give reasons for why you prefer one author's arguments over the others.  Analysis should be 1500 words max and must accord with Writing and Submission Guidelines.  Please note that a hard copy of written assignments should be submitted to instructor and an electronic copy to My Northwestern. 
• Exam: One final exam consisting of short answers is given the last day of class (Mar 5).

 Course Assessment:

• Quizzes (33%) = 50 points / 10 points each
• Book Analysis (33%)  = 50 points
• Final Exam (33%) = 50 points

 Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

I have an open door policy.  Please come by my office, preferably at office hours, if you have any questions or are having any problems with the reading, lectures, note taking, written project, etc.  Or come by for a cup of tea and chat about life.  For further assistance in academic matters help is available through Tom Truesdell at Academic Support (VPH 125B).  Tutors are available.

Course Schedule: