Course No: BIOE 670
Course Title: Foundations of Theological Ethics
Professor: James J. Walter, Ph.D.

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. The course will proceed through both lecture and discussion settings.

Required Texts:

· John Paul II, The Splendor of Truth (Washington, D.C.: USCC, 1993).

· Ronald P. Hamel and Kenneth R. Himes, Introduction to Christian Ethics: A Reader (New York: Paulist Press, 1989).

· Stephen Happel and James J. Walter, Conversion and Discipleship: A Christian Foundation for Ethics and Doctrine (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986). (offprint)

· National Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response (Washington, D.C.: USCC, 1983).

· Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation (Washington, D.C.: USCC, 1987).

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 one-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 Respect for Human Life. 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.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able:

• 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