CCS 400 Leininger
Paper Two
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Paper Two: An Exercise Narrative ethics or Casuistry
(Optional: You may focus on Christian narrative ethics or Christian casuistry.)
Length: 5-7 pages (not including Bibliography and Appendix)
Due: as indicated in the syllabus (on course website)
in basket marker “Papers for Dr. Leininger” in L32
Assessment: Papers will be graded according to the “Paper Guidelines: Dr. Leininger”
handout (on course website) and how well you execute each of the following tasks.
Option I: Moral Casuistry
1. Abstract. See item 2, “Abstract: A Map of Your Argument,” in “Paper
Guidelines: Dr. Leininger.” Examples of abstracts can be found on pages 126 and
105 of the Course Reader.
2. More Detailed Road Map if Helpful. 1-2 paragraphs. See the last three sentences of
item 2, “Abstract: A Map of Your Argument,” in “Paper Guidelines: Dr. Leininger.”
3. Brief Explanation of Casuistry. 1-1.5 pages. Drawing upon the assigned readings
from Keenan and Jonsen explain how moral casuistry can enhance moral
reflection. Be sure to demonstrate your understanding of how these authors
argue that analogies, paradigms, and taxonomies can be applied to moral
reflection. Do not simply quote or paraphrase their arguments. Instead, explain
the relevance of their arguments in your own terms and with your own examples.
4. Application of Casuistry to a Case. 3-5 pages. Construct your best arguments
as to how moral casuistry should be employed to reflect on the central moral
issue raised by the case summarized in your appendix. Be sure to cite to your
appendix the first time that you refer to its facts. Discuss how your exercise in
moral casuistry illustrates, supports, and/or challenges the arguments that you
explained above.
5. Conclusion: What Follows from Your Arguments? 1-3 paragraphs. Draw
conclusions from your analysis. What does it demonstrate about the promises
and pitfalls of moral casuistry and about the moral issue that you addressed?
What questions does it raise? If your analysis is correct, then what follows?
6. Appendix: Summary of Case. Attach a 1 page or less appendix with a title to the
back of your paper (do not count this page as part of the required page length) in
which you summarize the case to be resolved and identify the central moral
question that you will address. For a collection of cases and/or help in
constructing your arguments you may consult the texts listed as “Recommended
(on reserve at DML)” in your syllabus.
7. Bibliography. See Paper Guidelines: Dr. Leininger.
CCS 400 Leininger
Paper Two
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Option II: Narrative ethics
1. Follow steps 1-2 in “Option I” above.
2. Brief Explanation of Narrative Ethics 1-1.5 pages. Drawing upon the lecture
notes and assigned readings from at least TWO of the following authors: Crites,
Tilley, O’Connell, and Hauerwas, explain how stories can enhance moral
reflection. Be sure to explain what a virtue is and what difference a story
makes for how the virtue is understood. In addition, demonstrate your
understanding and synthesis of the arguments of the two authors. Do not simply
quote or paraphrase their arguments. Instead, explain their arguments in your
own terms and with your own examples.
3. Application of Narrative Ethics to a Moral Issue. 3-5 pages. Examine how the
story summarized in your appendix displays a virtue or virtues (you may also use
vices) that could inform moral reflection on a moral issue. Discuss how this
story illustrates, supports, and/or challenges the arguments that you explained in
step 3 above. For example, you could use virtues displayed in the story told in
Sometimes in April to inform moral reflection on race relations, peacemaking, or
humanitarian interventions.
4. Conclusion: What Follows from Your Arguments? 1-3 paragraphs. Draw
conclusions from your analysis. What does it demonstrate about the promises
and pitfalls of narrative ethics and the moral issue that you addressed? What
questions does it raise? What changes does it suggest to the approaches of the
two authors that you outlined above? If your analysis is correct, then what
follows?
5. Appendix: Summary of Story. Attach a 1 page appendix to the back of your
paper (do not count this page as one of the required 5-7 pages) in which you
summarize the story that you will use to reflect on a moral issue.
6. Bibliography. See Paper Guidelines: Dr. Leininger.