Ethics: The study of ethics is the study of right and wrong. This course will look into ethics from a Christian perspective on 3 levels: the descriptive, the prescriptive and the metaethical. Since Christians believe that God has revealed critical information in the Bible, Christian ethicists try to find out how the Bible speaks to our reasoning about right and wrong, AND how the Bible directs us with regard to a given issue.

This course consists of two studies: ethical systems and Christian ethics and topics. We will examine both Christian and nonChristian ethical systems to gain a philosophical understanding of theories. The student also will investigate a specific topic as a Christian ethicist.

Class: The instructor will use a combination of lecture and guided discussion. Students are expected to prepare and participate in discussions. A large amount of participation is required for this class and nonparticipation will affect your grade.

The book: Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics by Steve Wilkins.

Reading must be complete through chapter 11 by the last quiz on February 4. This could be accomplished by reading roughly 9 pages for each day of class, but you will need to be ready for the quizzes as listed below.

Evaluation:

1. There will be four quizzes to chart your reading progress. (5% each, 25% of final grade)

Mondays: January 14, 21, 28 & Februrary 4..

i. January 14 (pages 1‑44)

ii. January 21 (pages 45‑98)

iii. January 28 (pages 99‑148)

iv. February 4 (pages 149‑186)

2. Quizzes will be based on the material as covered in class.

3. There will be a final exam which will include essay questions. (25 %)

4. A five page research paper (7 sources) due on Monday, February 11. (25 %)

An oral presentation on your topic the last week of class, Feb.11-14. (10 %)

5. Regular classroom participation (15%)

The research paper. Please see the Ethics Research Paper Powerpoint on the public server. Students will choose any subject which raises an ethical point. It does not have to be an issue that is under scrutiny in the contemporary world. Historical issues are acceptable.

The paper is to be 5 full pages in strict conformance with the MLA handout available online at the library section of the RBC Web site. PAPERS THAT DO NOT CITE SOURCES , HAVE PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS & A WORKS CITED PAGE WILL BE RETURNED TO THE STUDENT WITHOUT A GRADE (THIS COULD MEAN FAILING THE CLASS).

The paper will make use of 7 sources. It is unlikely that you will find 7 adequate sources online.

Oral Presentation. Each student will give a brief (roughly 5 minutes long) oral presentation on his or her topic, . Presentations must include a brief discussion of sources, the best arguments for and against a conclusion, and an explanation as to why the student finds one side convincing.

Topics to consider: Topics are not limited to the list of suggestions below. Many of the topics could be considered in either their historical or contemporary contexts and hopefully all papers will consider both dimensions in some measure. Topics will be submitted by Monday January 14^th.

Abortion

Alcoholic Beverages

Animal rights

Assisted Suicide

Birth Control

Body Art

Capital Punishment

Church reform & schisms

Church Music

Civil Disobedience

Cloning

Colonialism

Cosmetic Surgery

Crusades

Daycare

Divorce

Environmental Issues

Feudalism/manorialism

Firearm ownership

Fraternities & Sororities

Genetically altered food.

Homosexual marriage/adoption

Hunting for sport

Idolatry

Labor Unions

Life raft scenarios

Lying

Martyrdom

Political Activism

Revolution

Segregation

Self-defense

Slavery

Smoking

Social Dancing

Stem Cell Research

Torture

Triage (medical)

Vegetarianism

War

Westward Expansion

Xenotransplantation