Contemporary Religious
Values (RS 108B)
Fall Semester 2004
Instructor: Frank Farrell; Senior Associate Professor of Religion
Phone: 215-885-2360 (ext 251) Office Hours: Monday 12-1
E-mail: FFarrell@Manor.edu Wed. 12-1
By Appointment
Web Page 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. Tutorial Assignments 15%
2. 4 Reflection
Papers (2 Pages typed max.) 40%
3. Group Project Case
Study
Individual Research
(emphasis on web based) 10%
Small Group
Presentation 5
%
4. Mid Term 15%
5. Final Test 15%
Required Textbooks:
1. Higgins, Gregory C.
Where Do you Stand? Eight Moral Issues Confronting Today's Christians,
2. Hannigan, James P.
As I have Loved You: The Challenge of Christian Ethics;
3. Connors &
McCormick Character, Choices, and
Community;
4. Selected Handouts and Internet readings
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 an on-line
class with a synchronous access. Students are required to attend an orientation
meeting, mid-term, and final exam. These dates will be published by the
professor at the beginning of each semester.
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. Two of the
four reflections must use an internet 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. First two reflections are due October 8; final
two November 19.
Tutorials 15 pts. This grade
will be based on student completion and submission of weekly tutorials
.
Small Group Presentations
will be worth 15 points and will be graded on the basis of clarity of
presentation and depth of research and or thought. These projects will involve
the application of virtue theory as it applies to religion and the family. The
projects will be outlined in greater
detail during the semester. The grade will consist of two parts: A group self evaluation ( 5 points) 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. Any student not present for class presentation
will receive no credit for the assignment.
Group Project
Guide
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.
Final Exam will be worth 15 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.
Course
Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
|
|
Week 1 |
Introduction Historical
Developments of Values and Virtue Why Study Religious
Values |
Higgins intro Hannigan intro Connors Ch1 New link for the
Common Good: http://www.osjspm.org/cst/q_cmgood.htm
Principals of
Catholic Social Teaching: http://www.osjspm.org/cst6prin.htm Readings Guide and
Key Points: Week 1 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/
|
|
Week 2 |
The Problems and
Practice of Christian Ethics |
Hannigan 1,2 Connors 6 Huston Smith Video : Multiphonic Chanting http://ethics.sandiego.edu/video/Kenan/Smith/Smith.ram tutorial:
http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week3 |
Virtue and the Life Cycle |
Handout Connors 2,3 |
|
Week 4 |
Moral reasoning Group Projects - Economic Justice First two Reflections
Due October 8 |
Higgins 1 Connors 5 Tenth Anniversary of
Bishops Pastoral tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/
|
|
Week 5 |
Reproductive
technology and Abortion |
Higgins 2 &3 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 6
|
Sexual Ethics |
Higgins 4 October 21 Mid Term tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 7
Mid Term |
Euthanasia Kohlberg & Gilligan
|
Higgins 6 Stages of Moral Growth Kohlberg tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week8 |
Social Justice |
Higgins5 Connors Ch4 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 9 |
The Person as Moral
Agent |
Hannigan 3&4 Connors 9 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 10 |
The Reality of Sin War & Capital
punishment |
Hannigan 5 Higgins 7 & 8 Death Penalty Links tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 11 |
The Reality of
Conscience Presentation of Group
projects |
Higgins 7 & 8 Connors 11 Hannigan 6 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 12 |
The Counsels of
Perfection Environmental Ethics April 7 Last two
Reflections Due |
Hannigan 9 Environment Links Connors 7 & 8 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 13 |
Moral Rule & Law Future task of Virtue
Theory |
Hannigan 7&8 Connors 10 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/ |
|
Week 14 |
Family and Virtue
Theory Final Paper Due |
Hannigan 10 tutorial: http://apps.manor.edu/Tutorials/rs108/
|
|
Week 15 |
Final Review |
Final Exams |
Objectives, Measures,
Standards
1. Students will
exhibit a basic understanding of the socio/religious dimensions of value and
virtue theory, and historical developments.
Measure: Through reflection papers
and exam questions, students will be able to note 3 historical developments of
virtue theory, as well as describe three styles of virtue theory.
Standard: 70% of students will
be able to express these.
2. Students will
exhibit the ability to trace the major developments of religious values in
their historical, cultural context.
Measure:Through reflection
papers students will be able to take one value issue and trace the historical
development of the question.
Standard: 70% of students will
be able to take one issue and trace its histrorical development.
3. Students will
exhibit a basic understanding of virtue theory and develop an argument
sustaining their position on a vialue issue of society.
Measure : Through essay
questions students will present a sustained argument incorporating learned
virtue theory.
Standard: 70% of students should
be able to present this sustained argument.
4. Students will
demonstrate the ability to integrate at least two sources in analysis of a specific
social initiatve. Information Literacy skills of retrieval and notation should
be properly demonstrated.
Measure: Through group project
research students should be able to demonstrate the use of at least to sources
supporting their action plan.
Standard: 75% of students will
achieve a score of 7 or higher for individual research in group project.
5. Students will
hopefully exhibit a more open and positive attitude toward their own tradition
as well as the tradition of others.
Measure: Through participation
in the group project students will be encouraged to share their own tradition
of value with other in addressing a practicle value questiuon of the day.
Standard: 80% of students will
be graded 7 or higher on peer evaluations of group project.