Foundations of Theological Ethics
BIOE 670.01
T 6:00-8:30 p.m.
James J. Walter, PhD
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is devoted to a critical analysis of theological ethics firmly rooted in the historical method. The
goals are to uncover the foundations of theological ethics and then to study the various ethical methods,
methodological issues, critical questions, and the personalities who have shaped the discipline of theological
ethics. Special attention will be given to the Roman Catholic tradition, but attention will also be paid to the
Protestant traditions and to Judaism and Islam. The course will proceed through both lecture and
discussion formats, and applications will be made where possible to contemporary topics in bioethics.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
To understand the nature and function of foundational ethics
To understand the essential elements of fundamental theological ethics
To apply both foundational and fundamental ethics to concrete ethical issues
REQUIRED TEXTS:
John Paul II, The Splendor of Truth, 1993.
Ronald P. Hamel and Kenneth R. Himes, Introduction to Christian Ethics: A Reader (New York: Paulist Press,
1989). [Loaned out by Professor]
Stephen Happel and James J. Walter, Conversion and Discipleship: A Christian Foundation for Ethics and Doctrine
(Philadelphia: Augsburg/Fortress Press Ex Libris Series, 2007).
National Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, 1983.
Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on The Dignity of a Person: On Certain Bioethical
Questions, 2008.
CLASS DISCUSSIONS:
A class discussion of the theological and ethical implications of the readings will be held on a regular basis.
Students should be prepared to discuss these implications and to raise questions about the material under
discussion. It is required that a two-page analysis of the readings be written out and handed in at the end of
each class that is designated a Discussion.
TAKE-HOME MID-TERM EXAM:
There will be a take-home Mid-Term Exam in the course, and the questions for this exam will be based on a
list of questions provided to the student before the exam.
REQUIRED FINAL PAPER:
Each student will write a paper comparing and contrasting the NCCB's The Challenge of Peace with the CDF's
Instruction on The Dignity of a Person. The paper should be approximately 12-15 double-spaced, typed pages,
and it should concentrate on analyzing 8-10 different ethical and theological issues contained in these two
documents.