E9690

Course Unit Outline
Unit Code
E9690
Unit Name
Case Study in Applied Ethics
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 enables the graduate student to apply principles of Christian ethics and moral decision making to contemporary ethical issues.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
1.
critically explain the historical and cultural and personal circumstances bearing upon the case study they are investigating
2.
identify and discuss the texts and theological sources relevant to their case study
3.
critical explain the principles of Christian ethics relevant to their case study
4.
apply the principles of Christian ethics to the issues raised by their case study
5.
engage with the pastoral complexities of the case study
Threshold concept to be acquired in this unit
Nil
Content
A suitably complex contemporary issue that calls for ethical analysis and resolution.
Learning Activities
Orientation lectures; research projects; 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.
Describe the historical and cultural and personal circumstances bearing upon the case study they are investigating (e.g. in a student presentation) (Early diagnostic task). [Outcome 1]
2.
Identify the sources and principles of Christian ethics relevant to their case study (e.g. in a long essay). [Outcomes 2 and 3]
3.
Develop an integrated ethical reflection on a contemporary issue in applied ethics. [Outcomes 4 and 5]
Representative References
Readings will vary with the case study, but may include:
1.
Black, Rufus. Christian Moral Realism: Natural Law, Narrative, Virtue and the Gospel. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2000.
2.
Finnis, John. Fundamentals of Ethics. Washington: Georgetown University Press, 1983.

3.
Frey, R. G. (ed). A Companion to Applied Ethics. Oxford: Blackwell, 2005.
4.
LaFollette, Hugh (ed). Oxford Handbook to Applied Ethics. Oxford: OUP, 2005.
5.
Mattison, William C. Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues. Grand
Rapids: Brazos Press, 2008.
6.
May, William E. An Introduction to Moral Theology. Huntingdon, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor
Publishers, 1990.
7.
Oderberg, David. Applied Ethics: A Non-Consequentialist Approach. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000.
8.
Pinckaers, Servais. The Pinckaers Reader: Renewing Thomistic Moral Theology. Washington:
Catholic University of America Press, 2005.