Description    Learning Objectives     Textbooks     Requirements     Grading Basis     Schedule

Course Description:  A close reading and evaluation of the book, Kingdom Ethics, during which students will reflect on the centrality of Jesus' life and teaching to the formation of Christian character and Christian ethical principles, with special attention to the Sermon on the Mount. Students will also work through specific ethical issues and situations in light of their learning.

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Learning Objectives:  As a result of completing ETH401 in an attentive and disciplined manner, students will:

1.  have studied, discussed, and be able to articulate a paradigm for Christian Character Ethics based on Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

2.  be able to articulate their perceptions and evaluation of the strengths and/or weaknesses of this particular paradigm and any correctives necessary.

3.  have researched, pondered, discussed, written and presented on a major ethical issue in contemporary church and society, with special reference to this particular paradigm.

4.  have rehearsed and practiced applying ethical theory to real life situations they will encounter in life and ministry.  

Textbooks:  Students must purchase and bring to every class the required texts. Those who do not will receive no higher than a C for the class. I will conduct a book audit in the 2nd week of class.

Stassen, Glen H., and David P. Gushee.  Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context.  Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

The Holy Bible in any respectable committee translation.

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1.  Constructive and disciplined engagement in the learning process inside and outside of the classroom.  This will be assessed by:

a.  Consistent and punctual class attendance with textbooks, notebook, and a positive attitude (10% of class grade): genuine emergency is the only excuse for absence, which adversely affects your learning, Every unexcused absence after the first will lower your grade by twenty points. Chronic lateness will also lower your grade.

b.  Close reading and study of the sections in the required text or handouts relevant to each day’s discussion, evidenced by informed dialogue in class (10% of class grade). Every student is expected to participate in discussion. Each exam will include a statement about required reading. Failure to read and discuss will lower your final grade.

2.  Memorization of three brief portions of Scripture relevant to ethics:

a.  Deuteronomy 10.12, 16-19, due as part of the First Exam, Tuesday, 2/21/06.

b.  Micah 6.6-8, due as part of the Second Exam, Thursday, 3/23/06.

c.  James 1.26-27, also due as part of the Second Exam, Thursday, 3/23/06.

3.  Completion of two exams, each of which will focus on recent reading and class discussion (see course schedule), but which may also (in the case of the second) include some cumulative material:

a.  First Exam, 2/21/06 (25% of final grade).

b.  Second Exam, 3/23/06 (25% of final grade).

4.  Completion of a 1500-1700 word paper discussing a specific issue in contemporary church and/or society, articulating the opposing viewpoints, and detailing your own position with particular reference to the paradigm we have been studying in this course: double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt, 1" margins all round, with Face and Works Cited/Consulted pages, all in MLA format (30% of class grade); paper to be presented in class on a date to be arranged with class members by the teacher.

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Final Examination: Due to the nature of this course and the material to be covered, the weight of examination will be distributed, as noted above and below, between two examinations, each testing a portion of the material, and a paper, which will take the place of a final exam.

Grading Basis Explanation: The grading scale and grading formula used to determine your final grade are as follows:

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Incompletes are discouraged. They are intended for use only in emergency situations, not simply to cover failure to submit assigned material on time. Where a genuine emergency exists, the student must prepare a petition for an incomplete on the appropriate form available from the academic office, and present it to the instructor before the last class date. If the petition is approved, the student has six weeks from the last class date to complete course requirements.

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Adjustments to Syllabus/Schedule: The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus or the requirements of the course throughout the semester.

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Special Needs: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to ‘reasonable accommodations.’ It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of any special needs before the end of the second week of class.

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Course Schedule:

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Bibliography  

Inclusion of these resources is for purposes of broad general information, and does not necessarily imply approval of their content or desire to propagate particular views expressed.

Print Resources

Barton, John.  Understanding Old Testament Ethics: Approaches and Explorations. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.

Birch, Bruce C., and Larry R. Rasmussen. Bible and Ethics in the Christian Life. 2^nd ed. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.  Ethics. Vol 6 of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.

Brill, Earl H.  The Christian Moral Vision.  San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1979.

Grenz, Stanley J.  Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living.  Wheaton, IL: BridgePoint/Victor/SP Publications, 1996.

________.  The Moral Quest: Foundations of Christian Ethics.  Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Hays, Richard B.  The Moral Vision of the New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics.  San Francisco: Harper, 1996.

Kaiser, Walter C. Jr.  Toward Old testament Ethics.  Grand Rapids: Academie/Zondervan, 1983.

Meeks, Wayne A.  The Origins of Christian Morality: the First Two Centuries.  New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 1993.

Mott, Stephen C.  Biblical Ethics and Social Change.  New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982.

Ramm, Bernard.  Offense to Reason: a Theology of Sin.  San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.

Schnackenburg, Rudolf.  The Moral Teaching of the New Testament.  Montreal: Palm Publishers, 1965.

Sweet, Leonard.  Post-Modern Pilgrims: First Century Passion for the 21^st Century World. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2000.

Trull, Joe E.  An Introduction to Christian Ethics.  Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997.

Wilkens, Steve.  Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics.  Downers grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

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Internet Resources

“Christian Ethics Today,” maintained by the Christian Ethics Today Foundation. http://www.christianethicstoday.com/

“Ethics Resource Center,” maintained by the Ethics Resource Center. http://www.ethics.org/

“Ethics Updates,” maintained by Lawrence M. Hinman, University of San Diego. http://ethics.acusd.edu/

“Josephson Institute of Ethics,” maintained by the Josephson Institute of Ethics.  http://www.josephsoninstitute.org/

“Religion & Ethics,” maintained by the BBC.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/