AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
Department of Philosophy and Theology
Senior Seminar: Social Ethics
Spring 07 Phil 496 01- 3 Units
W 4:20-7:20
Professor: MS Abare
Students can e-mail me at any time at: . Students can also call my cell phone: 626-390-2715 anytime. I will also be available to meet with before class upon request.
Course Description:
This course considers ethical issues in the modern world from a Christian perspective. Included is an examination of options in ethical theory, biblical ethics, and professional responsibility. Meets general studies requirement of a Senior Seminar. Prerequisites include: senior standing, a completion of the majority of the units required for God’s word and the Christian response: completion of the majority of the course work in a major.
Course Objectives:
-To develop a basic understanding of ethical theory from a Christian perspective
- To explore the relationships between Christianity and contemporary society
- To construct a bridge between theory and practice by understanding and applying moral theory consistent with the Christian worldview to contemporary social issues
Texts:
-Mappes, Thomas A., Zembaty, Jane S. Social Ethics: Morality and Social policy. 7th ed., McGraw- Hill, 2007.
-Shaeffer, Francis A., A Christian Manifesto., Crossway Books, 1981.
Course Requirements:
A. Participation
You should read the assignments before coming to class. You should be prepared to discuss the reading assignments in a critical manner. This means that you should be able to both identify the main points of the reading, as well as critique the arguments based upon your own reasoning. Your participation grade will be determined by the amount and quality of your in-class discussion of the material, the quality of your weekly written notes, and attendance.
B. Thesis
This assignment involves a fifteen minute in-class defense of your essay. The essay will consider one of the contemporary social problems covered in this course from the perspective of one’s major and the Christian faith. The defense and accompanying 15-20 page, typewritten essay should contain the following elements:
1. A definition of the problem 10POINTS
2. The ethical issues involved 10 POINTS
3. An overview of the relevant history legal status, and/or factual background10 POINTS
4. A summary of two contrasting positions on the issue10 points
5. Your conclusions on the problem as well as a justification of your position that integrates your major and faith 20 POINTS
6. Application of your views to a relevant case study10 POINTS
7.
8. General thesis evaluation, organization, and grammatical evaluation 5 POINTS
Each class member will also be responsible for reading the theses of 2 other students after which they will turn in a written evaluation. ½ of the grade on this assignment will be assigned by your peers, the other ½ by the instructor.
Three copies of the essay are to be turned in the class period before your defense. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Method of Grading:
Participation- 100
Thesis paper- 150
Thesis Defense- 50
Midterm Exam- 100
Final exam 100
Total points 500
COURSE SCHEDULE
Exact pages to be announced
JAN 10- Course introduction, Christian foundations
Jan 17 Moral Theory I: Kant, Mill
Jan 24 Moral Theory II: Virtue, and Relativism
Jan 31 Life Issues I: Abortion
Feb 7 Life Issues II. Euthanasia, Capital Punishment
Feb 14 Liberty Issues I. Sex and Marriage, midterm exam
Feb 21 Liberty Issues II. Terrorism, Rights/Liberties
Feb 28 Justice Issues I. Social/Economic Justice
Mar 7 no class common day of learning
Mar 14 Justice Issues II. World Hunger and Poverty
Mar 21 Planetary issues Animals, The Environment
MAR 28 Schaeffer 1-3, Thesis defense
April 4 no class Easter Break
April 11 Schaeffer 4-5, Thesis defense
April 18 Schaeffer 6-8, Thesis defense
April 25 Schaeffer 9-10 Thesis defense, finals distributed
May 2 Finals due at regular class time
APU’s Final Exam Policy:
“No final examination shall be given to individual students BEFORE the regularly scheduled time. No exception can be made to this rule without the written approval of the instructor, the department chair, and the Dean of the School of Theology.”
Attendance Policy:
As a senior seminar, attendance is crucial both for the student and for the overall success of the class. The student is allowed 1 free absence during the semester. Each absence after the first will be a 10 point deduction to the students grade. Arriving late or leaving early will count as ½ an absence. An absence on the day of your scheduled thesis defense will result in zero points for that grade.
Student resources:
Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him/her from fully demonstrating his/her abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment center as soon as possible in initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that might be necessary to ensure your full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.
Students are encouraged to make use of the resources available at the Writing Center, offices located in the Marshburn Library East Campus. The Writing Center is available to help students with all aspects of their writing projects.
Important dates:
Jan 11- last day to register
Jan 19 Last day to add or drop
Mar 7- common day of learning: no class
Mar 16- last day to withdraw
Mar 31-Apr 9- Easter break
Apr 30-May 4- Final exams
Student Info Sheet:
Name:
Phone#:
Address:
Email most frequently checked:
List major and reason for your choice:
Career plans:
Year:
Other colleges attended:
Reason for attending APU:
Is there anything about yourself that you would like me to know?
What do you hope to learn from this class?