ST 80 CHRISTIAN ETHICS

Fall 2005
3 Semester Credit Hours

Professor:  R.J. Gore, Jr., Ph.D.

phone: O- 864.379.8885                                                                e-mail: rgore@erskine.edu
               H- 864.379.2439

Due West: Thursdays 8-11 AM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the nature and principles of Christian ethics and the application of these principles to current social issues. Emphasis is given to the study of Biblical morality.

COURSE PURPOSE:

To introduce the student to the study of Christian Ethics. To identify and evaluate contemporary approaches to ethics; to survey and critique the history of ethical systems; and to construct an ethical approach, in light of Scripture, that incorporates normative, situational and existential perspectives.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

            1.  To introduce the nature and contents of Ethics so that students can identify significant ethical issues and develop a method for resolving ethical conflicts.

            2.  To lead the student to understand the methodologies of various ethical systems and critique their effectiveness.

            3.  To enable the student to explain the truths of biblical morality and to illustrate them in light of his/her own theological commitment.

            4.  To guide the student in the application of normative, situational, and existential perspectives to ethical decision-making.

            5.  To challenge the student to develop and to formulate ethical constructs that apply biblical criteria to contemporary social issues.

COURSE METHOD:

The purpose and objectives of this course will be achieved through four learning components. The first is the Content Component, the student’s own mastery of material, accomplished by completing the required readings and measured objectively by a Final Examination. The ability to engage in ethical decision-making is affected largely by the student’s understanding of the various ethical systems.

The second is the Discussion Component. Each class will incorporate discussion and lecture.  A vital exchange of ideas is essential to the process of exploration. Students will build on their classroom preparation (the Content Component) by participating in the discussion of ethical decision-making and contemporary social issues. In addition, the final portion of the course will be conducted as a seminar. Each student will make a presentation and lead the classroom discussion on an approved ethical issue.

The third is the Research Component.  Each student will research and write a formal  paper. Drawing from the student’s mastery of the content of the study of ethics and building on the lessons learned from the interchange of ideas in classroom discussions, the student will engage in original research, theological reflection, and positive formulation.

The fourth is the Practical Component.  Students will prepare an applied ethics project, a classroom presentation on some ethical issue.

These four components will provide a well-rounded learning experience for the thoughtful student.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

            John Frame, Perspectives on the Word of God. Wipf and Stock.
            John J. Davis, Evangelical Ethics.  Presbyterian and Reformed .
            J. Douma, The Ten Commandments. Presbyterian and Reformed .

All students will read the required texts: Perspectives on the Word of God will be completed prior to the second class, 15 September 2003. Evangelical Ethics will be completed by 13 October 2003. The Ten Commandments  will be completed by 8 December 2003.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Requirement One:  Attend class regularly, complete the required reading, and participate in the opening dialogs. No absences are excused. Students who miss more than a total of three hours will be assigned additional work at the rate of 3 hours of work for every hour missed. Students will be expected to complete the required reading prior to the class assigned. Each student will turn in a Reflection Paper on the due date for each of the readings. The papers will be single-spaced, two pages in length for Frame, and two-three pages each for Davis and Douma. In the reflection papers, students will explain how their assigned reading enabled them to reach a better understanding of Christian ethics. Total estimated time required for successful completion: 35-40 hours.

Requirement Two:  All students will research and write one academic research paper. The paper will be on a topic of the student’s own choosing and will be due by close of business, 3 November 2005. This student will select one ethical issue (no later than 22 September 2005) in contemporary American society and evaluate according to the model of ethical decision-making offered in this course. The paper will be 10-12 pages in length, exclusive of bibliography.  Proper footnote/endnote form will be followed (using 6^th ed. Turabian, Manual for Writers). This paper will count as one-fourth of the final grade. Total estimated time required for successful completion: 15-20 hours.

Requirement Three: Each student will complete an applied project that deals with an ethical issue in contemporary American society and will be treated according to the model of ethical decision-making offered in this course. The applied project will be on a topic of the student’s own choosing and will be presented in class during the last few weeks of the semester. The issue may NOT be the same as that selected for Requirement Three. The student will select a topic and a method of presentation no later than the end of class, 22 September 2005.  On that date, students will sign up for dates and times to make their presentations in class. Regardless of the method of presentation, the student will provide the instructor with a hard copy of any materials that would normally be expected for such a presentation. For example, a student who does a Sunday School Lesson will provide a copy of the lesson plan and any handouts or AV materials that would be used in an actual presentation. M.Div. students who choose the sermon as the method of presentation will provide a typed copy of the sermon manuscript along with all notes used in the preparation of the sermon (handwritten notes are acceptable). Students who have any questions about their method of presentation should see me immediately. Do not select sermon as your method of presentation unless you plan to present all the paperwork that led to the completion of your manuscript. This applied project will count as one-fourth of the final grade. Total estimated time required for successful completion: 15-20 hours. Students will select a method of presentation (30 minutes) from among the following options and identify their target audience:

           Sermon                                                          Sunday School Lesson

            Seminar Presentation                                   Video Training Film

            Bible Study                                                    Youth Retreat Presentation

            In-Service Training                                        Teacher Training Event

Requirement Four:  All Students will complete a Final Examination on the methodology developed in this course. The final examination will be due by close of business 8 December 2003, and will count as one-fourth of the final grade. Total estimated time for successful completion, 8-10 hours.

STANDARDS FOR RESEARCH PAPERS:

            A.........No more than 4 misspellings or grammatical errors in total

                        Identified the most significant articles, books in bibliography

            Used research materials expertly, leaving no unanswered

questions

                        Thesis statement clear and proved

                        Model for Ethical Decision-Making used skillfully

            B.........No more than 2 misspellings or grammatical errors per page

                        Identified a number of important articles, books in bibliography

                        Used research material fairly, addressed most problem areas

                        Thesis statement clear and sustained

                        Model for Ethical Decision-Making used properly

            C.........No more than 3 misspellings or grammatical errors per page

                        Used the minimum required number of bibliographical entries

                        Used research material adequately

                        Thesis statement not clear and/or not sustained

                        Model for Ethical Decision-Making used acceptably

            D.........More than 3 misspellings or grammatical errors per page

                        Failed to use minimum number of bibliographical entries

                        Research poorly done

                        What thesis statement?

                        Model for Ethical Decision-Making- What’s that?

COURSE SCHEDULE:

8 September         I.            INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF ETHICS

15 September      II.            SURVEY OF ETHICAL SYSTEMS                    Frame                 

22 September      III.            SURVEY OF ETHICAL SYSTEMS                   Topics Chosen

29 September     IV.            INTRO TO CHRISTIAN ETHICS

6 October             V.            CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Cont.

13 October          VI.            CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Cont.                                Davis

20 October          VII.            CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Cont.                          

27 October         VIII.            SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS

3 November         IX.            SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS                           Paper Due               
                                                                                                                             
10 November       X.            SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS               

17 November      XI.            SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS

1  December       XII.            SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS

8 December       XIII            SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS                           Douma/Exam               

KEY DATES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE:

            15 September: Complete reading of Perspectives on the Word of God

           22 September: Selection of Applied Project Topic and Method of Presentation

            13 October: Complete reading of Evangelical Ethics

3 November: Research Paper due

8 December: Final Examination due

8 December: Complete reading of The Ten Commandments

POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS  Click Here

CLASS NOTES  Click Here

            Registration: Once a student has completed, signed, and submitted his/her registration to the Registrar for this class, it is a binding contract, and billing will be based on this registration.  If the student decides not to take this class, a “drop/add” form must be completed and the appropriate signatures must be secured.  Failure to withdraw from the class properly will result in the student’s receiving a grade of “F” for the course, and full tuition charges will apply.  No exceptions will be made to this policy.

            Inclusive Language: The Seminary encourages all students to make use of language, in reference to human beings, that is inclusive rather than needlessly exclusive. It is a mark of a good communicator to build bridges rather than barriers; therefore, such language should be used in all written work and oral presentations. The Seminary Catalog stands as an example of recommended usage.

            Form of Written Work: For the research paper, students are required to follow the form and style guidelines found in Turabian, A Manual for Writers (6th edition). These guidelines are summarized in the Erskine Seminary document “Style and Form Guidelines for all Masters Level Programs.”

            Plagiarism: Any student who commits plagiarism is in violation of Seminary policy and is liable for dismissal. See Seminary Catalog for complete information.

           Late or Incomplete Work: Any work not submitted by the due date will be assessed a late penalty. The final deadline for submitting all late work and make-up work is noon on Monday, May 16. Any work not received by this deadline will be given a grade of “0,” unless the student has made prior arrangements to take an incomplete for the course. Incomplete (I) marks will be handled in accordance with policy statements in the Catalog. In particular, one should note that the student does not automatically have the privilege of taking an incomplete. Rather, it is the professor’s prerogative to give an incomplete, and only when the student has completed most of the work for the course and has been providentially hindered from completing the remainder.

FEDERAL PRIVACY GUIDELINES DO NOT ALLOW THE RETURN OF STUDENT DOCUMENTS TO AN UNSECURED MAIL BOX UNLESS THE STUDENT GRANTS PERMISSION IN WRITING. STUDENTS WHO WISH TO HAVE THEIR WORK RETURNED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO THEIR STUDENT MAIL BOXES WILL PLACE THEIR STUDENT BOX NUMBER ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THEIR SUBMISSIONS. THIS WILL BE VIEWED AS WRITTEN PERMISSION TO RETURN DOCUMENTS IN THIS MANNER. STUDENTS WHO DECLINE TO GIVE SUCH PERMISSION WILL RECEIVE THEIR SUBMISSIONS AT A LATER TIME.