Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Contemporary Christian Ethics

Unit Code: 
DE350
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit considers ethics in a pluralist society. It offers an introduction to the principal theories of ethics such as utilitarianism, divine command ethics, basic goods theory. It explores the themes of Christian faith and ethics, Christian anthropology, and the sources of moral knowledge. These themes in turn give rise to consideration of the role of human experience, scripture, narrative, emotions, and worship, within contemporary Christian ethics. Further themes include an introduction to moral conscience, virtue, character and discipleship in the context of Christian ethics. The implications of these theoretical issues are considered in relation to their application to specific ethical issues.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a basic understanding of the principal theories of Christian ethics
  2. apply Christian ethical methods to contemporary case studies
  3. appraise the strengths and weaknesses of each theory of ethics
  4. discuss the relationship between Christian faith and contemporary ethics
Lecturer/s: 
Geoffrey King
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 2
Day: 
Tuesday
Time: 
2:15 - 5:15
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Biennial
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2013
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Field: 
Field D Theology: Mission and Ministry
Disciplines: 
Moral Theology
MDiv Field: 
Theology and the Public Realm
Department Name: 
Department of Moral and Practical Theology
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Integrative
Prerequisites: 

30 points of Foundational study in each of Biblical Studies and Christian Thought and History

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Teaching Methods: 

2 hour lecture + 1 hour tutorial weekly for 12 weeks

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
3
Expected personal study hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours for unit: 
144
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay

Weighting: 
50%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay

Weighting: 
50%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Biggar, N. The Hastening that Waits: Karl Barth's Ethics. Rev. ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1995.

Black, R. Christian Moral Realism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Finnis, J. Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980.

Hauerwas, S. The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1983.

Hauerwas, S. A Community of Character: Toward a constructive Christian social ethic. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1981.

Hoose, B., (ed.) Christian Ethics: An Introduction. London: Cassell, 1998.

Keenan, James F. Virtues for Ordinary Christians. Kansas: Sheed & Ward, 1996.

Porter, Jean. The Recovery of Virtue. London: SPCK, 1994.

Singer, P. (ed.) Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994.

Spohn, W. What are they Saying about Scripture and Ethics. New York: Paulist Press 1995.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.