Course Summary
An introduction to the formation of values
The course deals with moral principles or rules of conduct. The quest is concerned primarily with the content of different ethical systems and the foundation upon which each rests. The study is organized in five modules: (1) Introduction to Ethical Systems, (2) Biblical Ethics, (3) Buddhist Ethics, (4) Hindu Ethics, and (5) Islamic Ethics. 3 semester hours of undergraduate credit.
Objectives
• Identify the principles and issues in four ethical systems
• Demonstrate how to evaluate an ethical system
• Compare and contrast Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic ethical systems
Credit. Credit for the course requires a score of 70% or greater on three multiple choice examinations, a book review, and a 2000-word essay. Each element represents 20% of the course grade. A sample problem of the multiple-choice exam is given below.
Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with (A) human character and conduct, (B) human consciousness, (C) outward conduct only, (D) the nature of man.
Resources
The necessary readings for the course are found in the Electronic Collection and are available to the student without cost. If, however, hard copies of alternate texts desired, the following resources are recommended.
Gudorf, Christine. Comparative Religious Ethics: Everyday Decisions for Our Everyday Lives. Fortress Press, 2013. 256 pages. $37.24 ISBN: 978-0800698614
Heidt, Mari Rapela. Moral Traditions: An Introduction to World Religious Ethics. Anselm Academic, 2010. 138 pages. $22.95 ISBN: 978-0884897491
