REL 201 -- Semester -
101
T. McFarland, C.PP.S.,
Ph.D.
T,R - 2-3:15 ---- CEC 127
Office CEC 219 Res: MER 112
Office hours: M,W 2-3; T,R 10-11 (Other times by appointment)
Calendar
Links
Objectives:
Each student will come to an understanding of the language,
history and issues of moral theology in the Church today. Although the major
emphasis will be from the Catholic Tradition, students will also become aware of
concerns in other Christian denominations. It will provide a brief overview of
the history of moral theology and the contemporary issues and concerns of moral
theologians. Students will become familiar with the theological language,
sources, resources and method used in moral theology, and to current concerns in
the discipline by taking a position on a final theme-based paper and exams
throughout the semester.
Texts: Richard
Gula. Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of Catholic Morality Mahwah NJ: Paulist Press,
1989.
Richard Gula. The Call to Holiness. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press,
2003.
Other short readings as assigned in class
Grading: Grades
will be assigned on the basis of a point system. A letter grade will be
assigned, based on the proportion of total number of points received.
Exams 150 points
Article Summary
25 points
Bibliography
50 points
Natural Law Paper 50 points
Issue/Theme Paper 75 points
350
points
|
326-350 = A
315-325 = B+
305-314 = B
291-304 = B-
280-290 = C+
256-269 = C
245-255 = C-
228-244 = D+
210-227 = D
|
It goes without saying (hopefully) that
I expect student integrity, that is attendance at class, being prepared
for class and assignments submitted on time (I don't like late papers!).
Please refer to the back of this page for a calendar of the assigned readings
and papers. You should also be familiar with the College Policy on Academic
Honesty (see Catalog, p. 57-8).
Papers: Since
it is my intention to familiarize you with some of the history, issues,
method, sources and resources in moral theology, I have several written assignments.
- A theological article summary - you will be
responsible for reading the article, "Does Religious Faith Add to Ethical
Perceptions?" by Richard McCormick and writing a summary of no more than
three pages. Due September 14, 2010..
- Write a reflection on the use of natural law
in moral theology, taking into account the two major strands (physicalism
and reason). You should describe your understanding of Natural Law, compare
and contrast the the ways in which natural law is used in selected
ecclesiastical pronouncements. This paper should be about 3-4 pages. Due
October 21, 2010.
- The next assignment is to compile a bibliography of scholarly sources on
an issue. Our library does not necessarily have to have all these sources--I
just want you to be aware of the many sources that can be found using
indexes such as the Catholic Periodical Index, and the ATLA
Religion Index that are available in our electronic databases. This
bibliography should be typed to comply with MLA or Chicago Style as found in
The Everyday Writer (our Core style guide). (The databases demonstrate how
to format bibliographic entries.) You should have at least 20 sources, both
journals and books included. Due November 11, 2010
- The next assignment is a short paper (about 5-7 pages) on some theme or issue in moral theology. (You may choose the same one
as the bibliographic exercise) In this paper I want you to grapple with the
importance of the topic for moral theology, its historical significance and
what is the current thinking on this theme or issue. Due December 7,
2010.
Examinations: There
will be a final exam at the end of semester.
Special Needs: If
you are a student with special needs, please see me before the third week
of the semester so that we can arrange for you to best demonstrate your
mastery of the course.
Links
 | Research
|
| Historical
|
| Magisterial Documents
|
(Numbers after author represent CHAPTER numbers.)
| August |
| 24 Introduction |
26 What do ya' know? |
| 31 Theology & Its Methods (no reading) |
|
| September |
| |
2 Reason 1-2 |
| 7 Reason 3 |
9 Reason 4 |
| 14 Reason 5 (Summary
due) |
16 Reason 6 |
| 21 EXAM I |
23 Reason 7 |
| 28 Reason 8 |
30 Reason 9 |
| October |
| 5 Reason 10 |
7 Reason 11-12 |
| 12 Reason 15-16 |
14 Reason 15-16 |
| 19 Reason 13-14 |
21 Reason 17 (NL
Paper due) |
| 26 Reason 18-19 |
28 Reason 20-21 |
| November |
| 2 EXAM
II |
4 Holiness Intro & 1 |
| 9 Holiness 2 |
11 Holiness 3
(Bibliography) |
| 16 Holiness 4 |
18 Holiness 5 |
|
Thanksgiving Break |
| 30 Holiness 6 |
|
| December |
|
2 Contemporary Moral Issues |
| 7 Social Ethics (Paper
due) |
9 Final Review/Catch up |
|
Final Exam Dec 16 1 PM |
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| McFarland Home
| Saint
Joseph's College
Page updated 08/23/2010 by
T. McFarland, C.PP.S.,. Professor. of Religion
Saint Joseph's College.
Questions of comments about this page -- email timm@saintjoe.edu
|
