Common Good, Social Ethics

This course examines both the importance and challenges of "common good" and of "community" for the social witness of the church as integral form of the mission of church in the world. Students will clarify their moral stances through close readings of texts and contexts, develop skills to discern and evaluate various policies and activities on specific topics of public concern and attend to implications for social ministry and the public vocation of Christian ethics. Discussion, engaged reflection papers and major project. (This course qualifies as a designated elective in theology or ethics.) Pre-requisites: basic courses in ethics and theology.