Course Description
An introduction to the academic study of religious ethics, including major themes and methods, with application to contemporary ethical problems.
Athena Title
Intro to Religious Ethics
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and discuss a variety of ways in which different religious traditions, in different parts of the world, approach ethical problems.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to compare how different religious traditions have developed different standards of conduct based on different ethical principles and moral reasoning, including patterns of similarity and difference across the traditions. Students will develop such comparisons based on analysis of the various religions' ethical writings and the methods used by religious ethicists to analyze such writings.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to construct a coherent personal ethic in conversation with the competing ethical traditions surveyed in the course, demonstrating an ability to recognize the complexity of such ethical differences while basing their own ethical views on sound reasoning.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to propose meaningful solutions to contemporary ethical problems through engaging with class activities and assignments and developing their own arguments based on evidence and thoughtful judgment.
Topical Outline
- I. Introduction to Religious Ethics
- II. Ethical Methodologies
- III. Jewish Ethics
- IV. Christian Ethics
- V. Muslim Ethics
- VI. Hindu Ethics
- VII. Buddhist Ethics
- VIII. Applied Case Studies
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
