Contemporary Religious Values (RS 108ol-a)                              Manor College              

Fall Semester 2007

Instructor: Frank Farrell; Senior Associate Professor of Religion

Phone: 215-885-2360 (ext 251) Office Hours:  M,W, 1-2 

E-mail: FFarrell@Manor.edu

By Appointment

Web Page: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/index.htm

Course Description:

This course will be an introduction to the investigation of personal and societal values in light of current religious thought. In addition to religious background, students will draw upon insights from contemporary psychology and sociology to provide this course with a diverse prospective on key issues related to value theory and its contemporary practice.

Philosophy of the Course:

The goal of this course is to study the religious values systems that can be seen operating in the world today. Given the diversities of the relationships of these traditions, students will be encouraged to develop and articulate an understanding of the core tenets of the cultural and religious traditions explored here. While Catholic in orientation, the course will also explore value and virtue theory in other Christian and non-Christian religions.

Goals and Objectives:

1. Students will exhibit a basic understanding of the socio/religious dimensions of value and virtue theory, and historical developments.

2. Students will exhibit the ability to trace the major developments of religious values in their historical, cultural context.

3. Students will exhibit a basic understanding of virtue theory and develop the ability to articulate the dynamics of virtue theory as observed in society.

4. Students will be able to use varied information literacy techniques in analyzing the practical implementation of a response to a specific social initiative.

5. Students will hopefully exhibit a more open and positive attitude toward their own tradition as well as the tradition of others.

Grading:

1. 7 Reflection Papers (2 Pages typed max.)                  35 %

2. 5 e-mail quizes                         25 %

3. Mid Term                                                                  20 %

4. Final Test 20 %

Required Textbooks:

1. Higgins, Gregory C. Where Do you Stand? Eight Moral Issues Confronting Today's Christians, Mahwah, N.J. ; Paulist Press; 1995

2. Hinman, Lawrence Contemporary Moral Issues 3^rd edition

4. Selected Handouts  and Internet readings

5. Select internet video lectures

Approaches to Teaching:

The instructor will incorporate various methods to assist students in the learning process. The course will consist of weekly readings, facilitated discussion boards and audio/visual material. Students will be expected to add to the flavor of the course through reflection papers, and participation in group projects and discussion boards.

To insure the fullest learning experience for the entire class, students should prepared for class. This preparation should include a thorough reading of assigned text, as well as outside research when indicated.

Attendance:

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected. Plagiarism will be dealt with according to the policies outlined in the student handbook. Cheating on a test will result in a grade of zero.

Procedure for Grading:

Reflection papers will be graded on a scale of 1-10 on a basis of content and clarity of thought. Papers should be typed and no longer than two pages in length. Papers should be centered on the students integration of material presented in readings or class with their own experience. Paper topics should remain relevant to course material. Three of the seven reflections must use an internet reflection reading as their basis. Parenthetical notation is adequate. If a student is unsure of a specific topic, the student should check the topic with the professor. Please be sure to proof read all material before you submit it. Consistent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation could result in a lower grade. Papers which are submitted past due dates will be penalized 2 pts for each class day they are late. One paper is due every other Wednesday of weeks 2 through 14 .

Weekly Internet Study guide quizzes should be submitted via e-mail to the instructor. You are required to submit five quizzes which will be emailed to you. (revised 10/12/07)

Mid-Term Exam will be worth 15 points and will consist of a comprehensive review of material covered in the first half of the course. Questions will be developed directly from the texts covered and lecture notes. The exam will involve short essays, as well as other standard testing questions. The exam will be sent to you by e-mail at the end of week 2 and should be returned by Monday of week 4.

Final Exam will be worth 20 points and will consist of a comprehensive overview of the course. Questions will be developed directly from the texts covered and lecture notes. The exam will involve short essays, as well as other standard testing questions.

If you do not have Real Player, you can download it here: http://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=rnwk

Course Schedule

Date	Topic	Readings
Week 1	Introduction Historical Developments of Values and Virtue Why Study Religious Values Houston Smith Lecture (this lasts 70 minutes and you will need real player to view it) "Why Religion Matters. The Future of Faith in an Age of Disbelief	Higgins intro Hinman Intro The Common Good http://www.osjspm.org/majordoc_statement_of_note_common_good.aspx Catholic Social Teaching: Catholic Social Teaching Powerpoint Principals of Catholic Social Teaching: http://www.osjspm.org/major_themes.aspx Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk1.htm  Houston Smith Lecture on Religion: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/video/Kenan/Smith/Smith.ram
Week 2	The Problems and Practice of Christian Ethics Lawrence M. Hinman RealVideo Lecture on Religion and Ethics or RealVideo Lecture on Religion and Ethics with PowerPoint	Erikson and Moral development Global Aids Alliance Lawrence Hinman: Relationship of Religion and Ethics: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/video/hinman/theory/religion/religion.ram Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk2.htm
Week3	Virtue and the Life Cycle Moral and Civic Learning	Handout: Virtue and the Life Cycle Hinman 1 Study Quiz: http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/hinman/chapter2/deluxe.html Ehrlich Lecture: Moral and Civic Learning Readings Guide and Key Points: Virtue Theory http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk3.htm
Week 4	Moral reasoning Group Projects - Economic Justice Group Project Guide Sample Group Projects	Higgins 1 Reflection readings: Third World Debt Hinman 2 Study Quiz: http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/hinman/chapter1/deluxe.html Bishops Pastoral Tenth Anniversary of Bishops Pastoral  Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk4.htm
Week 5	Reproductive technology and Abortion Abortion: A Guide to the Ethical Issues Hinman	Higgins 2 &3 Hinman 3 Study Quiz http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/hinman/chapter3/deluxe.html Reflection Readings: Abortion Reproductive Humanae Vitae Hinman Video: Hinman Abortion Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk5.htm
Week 6	Sexual Ethics	Higgins 4 Hinman 4 Study Quiz http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/hinman/chapter4/deluxe.html Reflection Readings: Sexual Morality Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk6.htm
Week 7  Mid Term	Euthanasia Hinman: Ethical Issues at End of Life.ppt Kohlberg & Gilligan  Medical Ethics: Medical Ethics /Boyd and more Med Ethics Mid Term Study Guide: http://apps.manor.edu\ffarrell\rs108\MTSTUDY.htm	Higgins 6 Hinman 5  Reflection Readings: Euthanasia Readings Stages of Moral Growth Kohlberg Principle of Double Effect Kohlberg V. Gilligan Maslow Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk7.htm
Week8	Social Justice Callahan lecture Medical Ethics	Higgins5 Hinman 6 Justice and Peace Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk8.htm
Week 9	The Person as Moral Agent	Hinman 7 Moral Agency Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/faculty/ffarrell/rs108ol/wk9.htm
Week 10	The Reality of Sin War & Capital punishment Just war: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/video/SDSU/9_11/Arneson/index.html Capital Punishment:	Hinman 8 Higgins 7 & 8 Just war Death Penalty Links Readings Guide and Key Points: wk10.htm
Week 11	The Reality of Conscience Presentation of Group projects	Hinman 9 Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/faculty/ffarrell/rs108ol/wk11.htm
Week 12	The Counsels of Perfection   Environmental Ethics	Hinman 10 Environment   Links Connors 7 & 8 Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/faculty/ffarrell/rs108ol/wk12.htm
Week 13	Moral Rule & Law Future task of Virtue Theory	Hinman 11 Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk13.htm
Week 14	Family and Virtue Theory Final Paper Due	Hinman 12 Readings Guide and Key Points: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk14.htm
Week 6	Final Review Final Study Guide	Final Exams

Objectives, Measures, Standards

RS 108 -A

Spring  2007

Frank Farrell

Outcomes , Measures, Standards: Outcomes and Analysis

Outcome 1: To demonstrate knowledge of content and methodology of religion

Outcome Measure: Through reflection papers and exam questions, students will exhibit a basic understanding of the socio/religious dimensions of value and virtue theory, and their historical developments. Students will be able to note 3 historical developments of virtue theory, as well as describe three styles of virtue theory.

Outcome Standard: 70% of students will be able to express these.

Outcome Data:

Outcome 2: To recognize and value ethical and spiritual perspectives

Outcome Measure: Through reflection papers Students will exhibit the ability to recognize the major developments of religious values in their historical, cultural context.. Students will be able to take one value issue and trace the historical developments of the question.

Outcome Standard: 70% of students will be able to take one issue and trace its historical development.

Outcome Data:

Outcome 3: To communicate effectively in writing and speaking.