Pontifex University

MTS program: Fundamental Moral theology

3 credit hours

Professor: Arielle Harms, PhD

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to the fundamental issues and concerns of Catholic Moral Theology as a science of Christian praxis. Starting with the renewal of moral theology by Second Vatican Council, we will then trace the scriptural and historical background to this renewal effort; focusing especially on the outline of Thomas Aquinas, who details the relationship of faith and reason (grace and nature) in ethical reflection; and the meaning of moral-theological categories such as virtue, law, sin, authority, conscience, and freedom. Special emphasis is given to the significance of the virtues (theological and cardinal) in a contemporary context.

 

TEXT AND REQUIRED MATERIALS

Servais Pinckaers, O.P., The Sources of Christian Ethics trans Sr. Mary Thomas Noble, O.P. (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 1995).

 

Servais Pinckaers, O.P. Passions and Virtue, trans Benedict M Guevin, OSB (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2015).

 

John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor, 1993.  May be found online.

 

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae.  May be found online.

 

Romanus Cessario.  Introduction to Moral Theology. (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2001).

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

This course is offered asynchronously on our LMS, NEO.  To access the course and complete it successfully, you will need an internet capable device with sound and a current internet browser: either the current or the previous release of Chrome, Firefox and Safari, or Internet Explorer 11+ (for Windows 8 and previous versions), and Microsoft Edge (for Windows 10+) to run the LMS.  In addition, courses require the use of, a PDF viewer, word-processing software compatible with Microsoft Office suite and a current email address. For help with the NEO platform see the Help Center in the LMS, found by clicking on the “?” in the upper right hand corner after you have logged in.  For log in questions, registration questions, or problems with missing content or content malfunctions, contact the teaching assistant, Elizabeth Froula at [email protected].

 

 

COURSE-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to give an account of:

1. The importance of Christian Anthropology for Moral Theology
2. The basic principles of Catholic Moral Theology
3. Fundamental categories of Catholic Moral Theology including Natural and Divine Law, Grace, Sin, and the Virtues: Theological, Infused and Acquired.
4. The practical application of the Principles of Catholic Moral Theology to particular moral issues.

GRADING CRITERIA

 

Class engagement 10%

Papers/Assignments 40%

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 30%

 

Grading Scale

Grade	Numerical Equivalent*	Grade	Numerical Equivalent*
A	94-100	C	74-76
A-	90-93	C-	70-73
B+	87-89	D+	67-69
B	84-86	D	64-66
B-	80-83	D-	60-63
C+	77-79	F	Below 60

* Grades will be rounded up or down to nearest whole number based on 10^th percent.

 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES

Students in this course are expected to read, discuss, and write about the course content that reflects the competency of graduate level theological studies.  Proper grammar and good writing style is expected, both in longer and shorter written assignments.

 

Any discovered instance of plagiarism will not be tolerated. All submitted work should be original.  Any direct quotes or paraphrasing of other authors should be cited properly, using in text citations for shorter assignments or Chicago Manual of Style for essays and papers.   The professor is happy to help you give proper credit for sources used. If you have questions, please ask.  Penalties for violations may include grade reduction or course failure. 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

 

• Papers: will periodically gauge the student’s engagement with the overarching themes of the course. All essays require a strong introduction, appropriate thesis statement, well-supported argument and a solid conclusion.   Graduate level writing ability, expression, grammar and use of sources are expected.
• There will be one 5-7 page paper that will gauge the student’s engagement and understanding of the course material. Invention, organization and style will be stressed. The papers will be expository and argumentative. Paper formatting will follow The Chicago Manual of Style, Sixteenth Edition.
• There will be one case study project, due at the end of the course. The student will be asked to examine an area of moral controversy, applying the themes and ideas presented in this course, and write a 10-12 page paper.  Invention, organization and style will be stressed. Topics can be expository and argumentative. Paper topics with a proposed outline must be approved by the professor. Once you have an idea for the topic, submit the idea to the professor for approval before beginning work on the outline and the paper.  This essay topic may be proposed at any time. 
• The midterm exam will gauge the student’s familiarity with the texts under consideration
• The final exam will gauge the student’s overall understanding of the course material. The final exam will test both the student’s engagement with the course’s overarching themes and with the details of the course texts.  The final exam will be comprehensive. 

 

 

 

            COURSE OUTLINE

 

Part One: Introduction

 

Lesson 1: Morality and Reason

            Fides et Ratio

 

Lesson 2: Morality in the Modern Church

            Veritatis Splendor

 

Lesson 3: What is Christian Ethics?

            Sources of Christian Ethics, pp. 1-167

 

 

 

Part Two: Foundations of Moral Theology

 

Lesson 4: Human Nature and the Good

            Cessario pp. 22-51 Summa Theologiae, I-II 1-5

 

Lesson 5: Passions in Moral Theology

            Pinckaers, Passions and Virtue, 1-48; Cessario pp. 100-128

 

Lesson 6: Virtues in Moral Theology

            Pinckaers, Passions and Virtue, 74-136; Cessario pp. 128-148

           

Lesson 7: Infused Virtues; Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

            Cessario, Chapter 5 and Summa Theologiae I-II, 62, 63, 65, 68.1-3

 

Lesson 8: Law and Natural Law

            Summa Theologiae, I-II 91.1-4; Handout: Hittinger (intro and pp. 3-79)

 

Exam 1 due

 

Lesson 9: Vice and Sin

            Summa Theologiae I-II, 71.1-2; 73.2-3, 7; 81, 82.1; 85.1-6; 88.1-6;

           

Lesson 10: Grace

            Handout: Aumann (pp. 66-84), Summa Theologiae I-II, 109, 110, 112.1, 113.2

 

Paper 1 due

 

Part Three: History and Method

 

Lesson 11: History of Post Enlightenment Moral Theology

            Sources of Christian Ethics, 191-326

 

Lesson 12: Sources of Morality

            Cessario, chapter 4 pp 166-183; Handout: Long Intro and Chapter 1

 

Lesson 13: Principle of Double Effect

            Handout: Long Chapter 3 and conclusion

 

Lesson 14: Particular Issues in Moral Theology

            Handouts: Austriaco: Brain death and Organ donation; Villaca: Brain death

 

Lesson 15: Moral Theology Today

            Handout: Fortin

 

PROPRIETARY INTEREST POLICY

Faculty are permitted to refer to notable past work and achievements (including publications and educational activities not offered by Pontifex University, and even those offered for personal profit) in their published biography on the Pontifex website and course promotions. In the context of educational activities undertaken for Pontifex University, including videos, live or recorded, teachers, can recommend or bring to the attention such work for students (even if for personal profit, for example, books or podcasts) but only with approval by Pontifex University and when it is related to the teaching purpose of the class.  An instructor’s related work will be noted in the syllabus as appropriate.  Instructors may use their own materials as required in their courses and learning events as long as the materials are appropriate for the particular learning event.

 

Failure to comply with this policy will result in a warning or administration modification of course materials. Violations of this policy should be reported to the Provost.

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