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HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Ad Veritatem per Fidem et Rationem Grade 11 INSTRUCTOR: COURSE TITLE: Dr. Thomas Kryst ([email protected]) Moral Theology COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course serves as the capstone for the theology curriculum. By examining the beatitudes, human actions, the moral and theological virtues, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and natural and divine law, this course will investigate how Christians are conformed to Christ in their lives. We will begin with a simple question: Why be virtuous? Even to ask this question presupposes that we already know something about the nature of virtue. Yet we must begin with this question, because you deserve some justification for all of the time and effort we are demanding of you. Thus we will approach this question first of all from the point of view of one of the ancient philosophers, who posed it millennia ago. We will consider how his reflections are transformed with the Christian view. We will explore other similar and equally important questions. Why does morality matter? For whom does morality matter? What does morality have to do with my well being? What is the moral life? What is conscience and what does it mean for me? What is virtue and what are its types? What makes us moral beings? What does morality have to do with grace and sin? In exploring these basic issues we will find ourselves coming to a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly human. As Christians we know that the basic question of human existence ultimately leads to Christ, the exemplary human, and how we ultimately conform our lives to him. The details of such a formation will occupy us for the remainder of the term. We will delve into specific realms of morality that are particularly important to us such as bioethics, the ethics of human relations, and the morality of war. Our overall goal will be to form a basis for understanding what it means to live a life of virtue and equip you to make the concrete decisions that form it. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. To appreciate better what virtue is and how it relates to our own well-being. 2. To gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of moral theology. 3. To grasp of the methodology and tools utilized in moral theology. 4. To become familiar with some of the wealth of moral teaching in the Church. 5. To understand the underlying reasons for the Church’s position on some contemporary moral issues. 6. To learn how to better live a virtuous life. 7. To better appreciate Christ as the Savior of fallen humanity. SCOPE AND SEQUENCE: First Trimester: Happiness and the Internal Principles of the Moral Life 1. Introduction to Moral Theology 2. Happiness 3. Human Acts -1- 4. The Passions 5. Moral Conscience 6. Virtues 7. Sin Second Trimester: The External Principles of the Moral Life: Law and Grace 1. Law: Eternal, Natural, Human, and Divine 2. Grace Third Trimester: Contemporary Moral Problems 1. Abortion/Stem Cell Research/Human Reproduction 2. Social Justice 3. War 4. Capital Punishment COURSE TEXTS: Catechism of the Catholic Church Treatise on Law, Aquinas The Prince, Machiavelli Dignitatis Humanae, Vatican II Humanae Vitae, Paul VI Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Charter for Health Care Workers, Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers "Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace", USCCB Other materials as assigned SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS: The Sources of Christian Ethics (Servais Pinckaers, O.P.) Selections from Summa Theologiae, I-II (Aquinas) [Handout] Veritatis Splendor (John Paul II) Love and Responsibility (Wojtyla) The Theology of the Body (John Paul II) Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II) Centesimus Annus (John Paul II) COURSE SUPPLIES: Binder with paper or notebook At least two pens/pencils GRADING: Your grade has four principal components: participation, tests, assignments, and formal papers. The participation grade counts 25%. 17% of this component consists of checks that discern your familiarity with the homework reading assignment, checks of your ability to prepare -2- the class for the day’s discussion, and checks of your ability to summarize the discussion at the end of the period. The remainder measures your quality involvement in the discussion of the day (8%). Tests comprise 35% of your grade. Included are the in-class tests (10% ea.) and the final exam (15%). Informal written assignments count as 20% of your grade. These consist in periodic single page handwritten papers on an assigned topic. These are normally graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory, with some opportunity for extra credit. Formal assignments count for the remaining 20% of your grade. These assignments, on a topic selected by the instructor will be submitted either orally, in class, or in formal, typewritten form which conforms to well accepted standards of documentation. HOMEWORK: Homework will normally consist of an assigned reading with occasional other assignments as announced. WRITTEN HOMEWORK: Essays will be assigned each trimester on a topic related to moral theology. I will expect a paper copy at the beginning of the class on the day it is due. Late submissions will incur a penalty of 3% per day. -3-