Professor Beth Newman

Saint Mary's College

Religious Studies 235

"Christian Ethics"

"Ethics" examines the moral life, specifically the actions of people viewed with concern for good and evil, virtue and vice, right and wrong. In this class, we will focus particularly on those convictions and practices that are integral to Christian living. How do such convictions and practices shape one's understanding of both morality and specific ethical issues? For example, how do such practices as forgiveness or hospitality affect the way one thinks about issues like the death penalty or homelessness? Conversely, how does contemporary culture, science and technology impact our perception of ethics, as well as create new ethical dilemmas? Ethos literally means "way of life" and this class is intended to assist the student in thinking deeply about what constitutes a Christian moral life.