Ethics

• STH TS 950: History of the Social Teachings of the Church
  This seminar will explore the development of the social teachings of the Church from the time of Jesus through the 20th century. The works of E. Troeltsch and H.R. Niebuhr will be relied upon, with a focus on the development of the early Christian social teachings, the medieval synthesis, the Reformation era, and especially the rise of urban-industrial capitalism and its impact on the social teachings of the Churches. Special emphasis will be given to the major events of the 19th century such as the abolition of slavery as well as the beginnings of the women's suffrage movement and other dimensions of the liberation of women.
• STH TS 951: Contemporary Social Teachings for the Christian Church
  An in-depth study of major contemporary social issues, utilizing the works of key Christian social ethicists, as expressed in the Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions and in theologies of liberation. Issues such as sexuality and human reproduction, war and peace, economic and social justice, racism, gender, social class, and the use/misuse and protection of natural resources, will be viewed through the perspective of different religious traditions. Special emphasis will be placed on ecumenical and interfaith social ethics, the rise and significance of the Christian Right, and development of the tools needed to do social ethics in different social and cultural contexts.
• STH TS 957: Seminar: the Church and Human Rights
  Philosophical, religious, and social problems of defining human rights and the related ideas of human dignity, justice, and the common good. Special attention to comparative understanding of human rights in Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam, exploring an alternative economic order and society that would serve the human person.
• STH TS 961: History of Western Ethics and Social Philosophy
  This seminar focuses on the ways Greek philosophy (Plato, Aristotle, Stoics) influenced Christian theology and ethics (Augustine and Aquinas), and how that Christian theological and ethical tradition influenced Luther, Calvin and other Reformers. There will also be a look at the key figures in philosophy (Hume, Kant, Grotius, and others) who shaped modern Western ethics. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of Western social and political philosophy which led to the modern democratic state (Locke, Bentham, J.S. Mill, A. Smith), utilitarianism and cost-benefit analysis, as well as the works of revolutionary thinkers (Nietzsche and Marx) and also the seminal feminist thinkers (C. DePizan, M. Wollstonecraft, H. Taylor). In addition, there will be efforts to explore the social and philosophical roots of the movements that led to the abolition of slavery as well as to the promotion of gender equality. Consideration will be given to the social/political/economic context that influenced the thinking of the writers, as well as a look at some of the readings from a feminist and multicultural standpoint. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relevance of these thinkers in our society. We should be aware of their shortcomings (class, cultural, racial and gender biases), but also be appreciative of their contributions to modern thinking.
• STH TS 962: Global Ethics in Cultural Contexts
  An in-depth study of distinctive approaches to economic, ethnic, gender and political justice in diverse regions: North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Israel/Palestine. Liberation theology perspectives - African American, Feminist, Womanist, Mujerista, Latin American, Native American, Asian, African, Jewish and Palestinian - will provide bases for developing transcultural social ethics.

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