Course Description

A study of contemporary issues within the context of a biblical ethic of human life. This course will examine Christian principles about human life and flourishing, reflecting on issues concerning the beginning and end of human life as well as those social and personal factors that promote a flourishing human life. Topics will include: Personhood, abortion, personal relationships, social and class relationships, social conflicts, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.

Rationale

In recent years, traditional models and values of human life have come under serious question. With the growing acceptance of ethical relativism as well as the acceptance of functionalistic and materialistic models of human beings, moral values and decisions have become vague and confusing. This course will help students to steer more clearly through the moral fog they will encounter as they attempt to live out a Christian ideal of a flourishing human life themselves and within a social matrix with others of varying beliefs and values. If you want help with other classes browse our liberty university list.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain a Christian conception of personhood and human life.
2. Evaluate contemporary theories of personhood.
3. Defend a Christian assessment of issues concerning the beginning and end of human life.
4. Evaluate various social issues within the context of a Christian conception of human life.
5. Recognize the ways an absence of a Christian ethic hinders human flourishing.

Foundational Skill Learning Outcomes (FSLOs): Critical Thinking (CT)

1. CT 1: Determine the validity and logical consistency of claims and/or positions, using reading comprehension strategies when relevant.
2. CT 2: Structure an argument or position using credible evidence and valid reasoning.
3. CT 3: Compare and contrast the biblical worldview with a non-biblical worldview, evaluating the influence of assumptions and contexts on ethics and values.
4. CT 4: Plan evidence-based courses of action to resolve problems.
5. CT 5: Relate critical thinking and ethics to participation in God’s redemptive work.

Secondary Foundational Skill Learning Outcomes (FSLOs): Civic and Global Engagement (CGE), Social and Scientific Inquiry (SSI), and Christianity and Contexts (CC)

1. CGE 3: Apply the Christian principles and general practices for effectively engaging people from different social and/or cultural backgrounds.
2. SSI 3: Apply solutions for a social and/or scientific question experienced in nature or society.
3. CC 3: Apply the biblical text and its principles to life in a manner that bridges various contexts and considers the implications for personal growth.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided promptly for each forum. Each thread must be 250–350 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 100–150 words (CLO: A, B, C, D; FSLO: CT 2, 3, CC 3, CGE 3, and SSI 3).

Topic and Bibliography Assignment

The student will submit a topic and bibliography in preparation for the Ethical Issue Research Paper Assignment. The topic submission must include a 50–100-word explanation and rationale. Web links to at least 2 relevant scholarly sources must be included in the bibliography (CLO: A, B, C, D; FSLO: CT 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, CC 3, and SSI 3).

Ethical Issue Research Paper Assignment

The student will write a 1,800–2,300-word research-based paper that focuses on an ethical issue within his/her chosen field. The paper must include at least 3 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible (CLO: A, B, C, D; FSLO: CT 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, CC 3, and SSI 3).

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week(s). Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, containing 25 multiple-choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions. In addition, quizzes will contain one 75–150-word essay question and have a 1-hour and 15-minute time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E; FSLO, CT 1, 3, 5 and CGE 3).