Major Issues in Contemporary Moral Theology (DT9011Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit explores church teaching and pastoral responses in relation to a range of issues currently discussed in ecclesial, secular social and political forums. Issues to be explored in this unit may include: the controversial papacy of Pope Francis, 'a Christian theology of the body', questions raised by the LGBTQ+ community, euthanasia and assisted dying, reproductive technologies, communion for divorced/remarried, the place of religion in public life, environmental issues and human rights, mass migration, human trafficking and modern forms of human slavery, and the use of artificial intelligence.

Unit code: DT9011Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Moral Theology

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Evaluate the nature, methods employed, and purpose of Catholic church teaching relating to contemporary moral issues
2.

Critique 'secular' and 'church' stances taken on contemporary moral issues in the public forum
3.

Engage in critical dialogue using Christian ethical methodology in current discussions on contemporary moral issues
4.

Evaluate the complexities of the human condition that make moral judgments and decisions less assured and difficult
5.

Present a cogent and sustained argument for a position taken on a specified issue
6.

Develop critical research skills focused on a project

Unit sequence

1 unit in Moral Theology or equivalent

Pedagogy

Input from lecturer (power point /video and lectures), class participation through student tutorial presentations, discussions and debates, research essays, and readings

Indicative Bibliography

  • Callahan, Daniel, The Roots of Bioethics: Health, Progress, Technology, Death. Oxford Uni press: Oxford / New York, 2012.
  • Czerny, Cardinal Michael, and Barone, Christian. Siblings All, Sign of the Times: The Social Teaching of Pope Francis. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2022.
  • Kasper, Walter Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2014.
  • Keen, Karen R. Scripture, Ethics and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B.Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2018.
  • Martin, James. Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity. New York: HarperCollins Publishing Inc., 2017.
  • Pabst, Adrian. Postliberal Politics: The Coming Era of Renewal. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2021.
  • Phan, Peter C. (ed.). Christian Theology in the Age of Migration: Implications for World Christianity. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books 2020.
  • Pope Francis. Amoris laetitia, Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation March 19 2016.
  • Pope Francis. Laudato Si', Encyclical Letter 24 May 2015.
  • Williams, Oliver F., C.S.C. Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of Business in Sustainable Development New York: Routledge, 2014.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper 2800 40.0
Essay 4200 60.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Jun, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-06-27 10:35:17 +1000