Religious Studies 200

Introduction to Religious Ethics

Syllabus [Scroll down]

Schedule of Classes-Winter Term

Essay Topics

Study Questions for Final Examination (to be posted by April 7)

St. Francis Xavier University, 2011-2012

Instructor: Dr. Robert Kennedy

Office: Nicholson Tower 406

Telephone: 867-3851

E-mail: rkennedy@stfx.ca

Office Hours, Term 1: Tues. Noon-2 p.m.; Thu. Noon-2 p.m.; Fri 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Office Hours, Term 2: Mon. 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.; Wed. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.; Fri. 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Please contact me by e-mail if you would like to meet with me outside these hours.

Course Description

An introduction to religious ethics, this course examines Christian and other religious traditions and their approaches to such issues as social justice, ecology, pluralism, healthcare, and non-violence. Six credits.

Assignments and Method of Evaluation

Short Assignment (September): 10%

Mid-term Examination (October and February): 25%

Proposal for Research Paper (November): 15%

December Examination: 50%

Research Paper (March): 35%

Final Examination: 40%

Final Grade = Average of Fall Term grade (40%) + Spring Term grade (60%)

Texts

Smith, David Whitten, and Elizabeth Geraldine Burr. Understanding World Religions: A Road Map for Justice and Peace. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2007.

Patton, Laurie. The Bhagavad Gita. London/New York: Penguin, 2008.

Śāntideva. The way of the Bodhisattva : a translation of the Bodhicharyāvatāra. 2nd ed. Boston: Shambhala / Random House, 2006.

Confucius. The analects (Lun yü). Harmondsworth /New York: Penguin Books, 1979.

Laozi, Tao te ching. London/New York: Penguin Books, 1963.

The Bible (New Revised Standard Version)

Augustine, True Religion. Trans. Edmund Hill. In On Christian Belief. Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, 2005.

Aquinas, Thomas. Selected Writings. Ed. Ralph McInerny. Penguin, 1998.

Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Ed. Mary Gregor. Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Khalidi, Tarif. The Qur'an : a new translation. London/New York: Penguin Books, 2008.

Important Dates*

Thursday, September 8: First day of classes

Monday, Sept. 19: Last day to change first-term or full-year classes

Thursday, Sept. 22: Short assignment due

Monday, October 10: Thanksgiving, no class

Monday, Oct. 17: October mid-term examination

Friday, November 11: Remembrance Day, no class

Monday, November 21: Research proposal due

Friday, December 2: Last day of classes

TBA: December Examination (Note: Examinations are held through Dec. 17^th)

Wednesday, January 4: Second term classes begin

Wednesday, Jan. 11: Last day to drop full-year courses or change second-term courses

Monday, Feb. 13: February mid-term examination

Monday, Feb. 27: Classes resume after reading week (“mid-term break”)

Monday, March 12: Research paper due

Friday, April 6: Good Friday, no classes

Tuesday, Apr. 10: Last day of classes

TBA: Final Examination (Note: Examinations are held through Apr. 24^th)

*A complete schedule, which I will update regularly, is available through my website (http://people.stfx.ca/rkennedy/). Students are responsible for checking this site for assigned readings, deadlines, etc.