Contemporary
Religious Values (RS 108A)
Manor
College
Fall Semester 2008
Instructor: Frank Farrell; Senior Associate Professor of Religion
Phone: 215-885-2360 (ext 251) Office Hours: M,W, 12-1
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. 8 Reflection
Papers (1-2 Pages typed max.) 40 %
2. Class participation and Small Group
Presentation 20%
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,
2. Hinman,
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:
This is a course
which involves group case discussions and a group project. Attendance is
expected at each session. More than three absences will result in a lowering of
the student grade by 10%. Six or more absences 20%. Nine or more absences
30%.
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 1-5 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. Two of the eight 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 1 pt for
each class day they are late. One paper is due every Wednesday of weeks 2
through 10 . See rubric for grading: rs 108
reflection_rubric.htm
.
Small Group
Presentations will be worth 20 points and will be graded on the basis of clarity of
presentation and depth of research and or thought. You will be assigned a group
of 3-4 students. Work can be completed through e-mail or phone discussions or
in person on campus if the group agrees to this. These projects will involve
the application of virtue theory as it applies to the Bishops Pastoral on
Economics.. The projects will be
outlined in greater detail during the semester. The grade will consist of three
parts: A group self evaluation ( 5
points), attendance, and instructor evaluation (10 points). The
instructor evaluation will be for the entire group presentation and individual
research. The group self evaluation will entail an individual rating of members
of the group, as well as an evaluation of the groups effort. Group Project
Guide
Mid-Term Exam will be worth 20 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.
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
|
Date |
Topic |
|
|
|
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. |
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 http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk1.htm Houston
Smith Lecture on Religion: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/video/Kenan/Smith/Smith.ram
|
|
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Week 2 |
The Problems
and Practice of Christian Ethics
|
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 |
Handout:
Virtue and the Life Cycle Hinman 1 Ehrlich
Lecture: Moral and
Civic Learning |
|
|
Week 4 |
Moral
reasoning Group Projects - Economic Justice |
Higgins 1 Reflection readings: Third World Debt Hinman 2 Tenth
Anniversary of Bishops Pastoral http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk4.htm
|
|
|
Week 5 |
Reproductive
technology and Abortion |
Higgins 2
&3 Hinman 3 Reflection
Hinman Video: Hinman Abortion http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk5.htm
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Week 6
|
Sexual Ethics
|
Higgins 4 Hinman 4 Reflection
http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS108ol/wk6.htm
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Week 7
Mid Term |
Euthanasia Hinman: Ethical Issues at End of Life.ppt 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 Guide and Key Points: |
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Optional Readings Readings Guide and Key Points: |
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Just war: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/video/SDSU/9_11/Arneson/index.html Capital Punishment: http://ethics.sandiego.edu/presentations/AppliedEthics/DeathPenalty/index.html |
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Readings
Guide and Key Points: |
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