E9647
Course Unit Outline
Unit Code
E9647
Unit Name
Human Life, Family, and Society
Unit Weighting
9 credit points
Type of Unit
Specialised
Prerequisites
E8501 Principles of Christian Ethics or a submajor in Christian Ethics in the BTh.
Academic Staff
Peter A. Comensoli, STB (CIS), STL (Alphonsianum), PhD (Edinburgh, 2011), DD. Lecturer
Gerald Gleeson, STB (CIS 1978), MA (Cantab 1987), PhD (Leuven 1989), Associate Professor.
Curriculum Objectives
This unit provides an advanced study of the ethical issues arising in the contemporary experience
of marriage and personal relationships. Historical, sociological and theological insights will provide
a context for examining Christian responses to family life today.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. critically explain the biblical and ecclesial theological foundations for the Catholic teaching on
sexuality, marriage and family
2. critically address the challenges to a Christian theological anthropology presented by
contemporary attitudes to human sexuality, marriage and the family
3. connect the insights of psychology and the human sciences with the theological understanding
of human sexuality
4. discuss the wider implications of Catholic teaching for the ethical aspects of human sexuality
and interpersonal relationships
5. apply the Catholic teaching on marriage, family, and divorce to complex pastoral situations
Threshold concept to be acquired in this unit
Nil
Content
1. The history of the Catholic Church’s teachings on human sexuality, marriage and procreation
2. Theological perspectives for human sexuality: Trinity, creation and covenant, theology of the
body, sacramentality
3. Theological aspects of family planning and responsible parenthood
4. Ethical issues at the beginning of human life
5. Contemporary issues in sexual ethics, including homosexuality
6. Ethical aspects of human development and sexual maturation
Learning Activities
Lectures, seminars, student presentations.
Required Specialist Facilities or Equipment
Nil
Assessment Profile
Assessment tasks are designed both to help students attain the unit outcomes and to enable
teachers to assess student attainment. In this unit, the required assessment tasks will enable
students to demonstrate how successfully they can:
1. Critically explain the way a Catholic theological anthropology understands human sexuality (e.g.
in an essay). [Outcomes 1 and 2]
2. Discuss and respond to the challenges to Catholic sexual ethics raised in contemporary western
culture. (e.g. in an essay). [Outcomes 2, 3 and 4]
3. Present a theological and pastoral analysis of a pastoral situation arising for people striving to
live out the Church’s teaching (e.g. in a essay or oral presentation). [Outcomes 2, 3 and 5]
Representative References
1. Cloutier, David (ed). Leaving and Coming Home. New Wineskins for Catholic Sexual Ethics.
Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2010.
2. Cloutier, David. Love, Reason and God’s Story: An Introduction to Catholic Sexual Ethics.
Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2008.
3. Collins, R.F. Sexual Ethics and the New Testament. Behavior and Belief. New York: Crossroad,
2000.
4. Farley, M.A. Just Love. A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics. New York: Continuum, 2006
5. Garcia de Haro, R. Marriage and the Family in the Documents of the Magisterium. A Course in
the Theology of Marriage. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1993.
6. Genovesi, V.J. In Pursuit of Love. Catholic Morality and Human Sexuality. 2nd ed. Collegeville:
Liturgical, 1996.
7. Grabowski, John. Sex and Virtue. An Introduction to Sexual Ethics. Washington, Discipline
Coordinators: CUA Press, 2003.
8. Grisez, Germain. The Way of the Lord Jesus. 1: Christian Moral Principles. Quincy, Ill: Franciscan
Press, 1993.
9. Kaczor, Christopher. Proportionalism and the Natural Law Tradition. Washington, Discipline
Coordinators: CUA Press, 2002.
10. Keenan, James F. A History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century. New York:
Continuum, 2010.
11. Lawler, M. Marriage and the Catholic Church. Disputed Questions. Collegeville: Liturgical Press,
2002.
12. May, W.E., R. J. Lawler & J. R. Boyle. Catholic Sexual Ethics. 3rd ed. Huntington: Our Sunday
Visitor, 2011.
13. May, William E. Theology of the Body in Context. Genesis and Growth. Boston, MA: Pauline
Book and Media, 2010.
14. McDonagh, Enda & Vincent MacNamara. An Irish Reader in Moral Theology. Vol. 2: Sex,
Marriage and the Family. Dublin: Columba Press, 2011.
15. Roberts, Christopher C. Creation and Covenant. The Significance of Sexual Difference in the
Moral Theology of Marriage. New York: T&T Clark, 2007.
16. Salzman, T.A., T.M. Kelly & J.J. O’Keefe (eds). Marriage in the Catholic Tradition: Scripture,
Tradition and Experience. New York: Crossroad, 2004.
17. Shivanandan, M. Crossing the Threshold of Love. A New Vision of Marriage in Light of John Paul
II’s Anthropology. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1999.
18. Smith, J. E. Humanae Vitae. A Generation Later. Washington: CUA, 1991.
19. Wojtyla, K. Love and Responsibility. Translated by H. T. Willetts. London: Collins, 1981