SJE Sem:Christian Bioethics Debates

Click link below for syllabus in Word

AlumkalISTSJEBioethicsW2017v2.doc

Monday 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Instructor:  Antony Alumkal

Office Phone: 303-765-3131

Email: aalumkal@iliff.edu (fastest way to contact me)

Course Description:

A survey of major bioethical debates and the perspectives offered by different Christian denominations and organizations. Topics include stem cell research, cloning, human genetic engineering, and euthanasia. Students will learn how the specific debates are shaped by larger religious dynamics, such as the ways in which both liberal and evangelical Protestants have historically turned to science to validate their theological stances.

The course will explore the following:

1. The different types of ethical reasoning used to justify positions on bioethical issues.
2. How religious beliefs, culture, politics, and socioeconomics all influence the positions that individuals and organization adopt.
3. The role of (and disregard for) scientific data and logic in arriving at bioethical positions.
4. The student’s own tentative positions on bioethical issues.

1. The following books are required texts for the course.

Cole-Turner, Ronald, ed. 2008. Design and Destiny: Jewish and Christian Perspectives on Human Germline Modification. Cambridge: MIT Press.

Shannon, Thomas A. and Nicholas J. Kockler. 2009. An Introduction to Bioethics. Fourth Edition. New York: Paulist Press. 

Waters, Brent and Ronald Cole-Turner, ed. 2003. God and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning. Washington D.C.: Georgetown University Press.

2. The following readings are available as pdfs on the Canvas site: 

Alumkal, Antony. Forthcoming. Paranoid Science: The Christian Right’s War on Reality. New York: New York University Press. Chapter 3.

Balmer, Randall. 2006. Thy Kingdom Come: An Evangelical’s Lament. New York: Basic Books. Chapter 1.

Battin, Margaret P. et al. 2007. “Legal Physician-Assisted Dying in Oregon and the Netherlands: Evidence Concerning the Impact on Patients in ‘Vulnerable’ Groups.” Journal of Medical Ethics 33:591-597.

Christian Century. 2007. “Extraordinary Measures.” Christian Century 124 (October 16):5.

Foley, Kathleen and Herbert Hendin. 2002. “Changing the Future.” Pp. 311-32 in The Case Against Assisted Suicide: For the Right to End-of-Life Care. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Jones, Rachel K. and Jenna Jerman. 2014. “Abortion Incidence and Service Availability in the United States, 2011.” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 46:3-14.

Quill, Timothy E. and Margaret P. Battin. 2004. “Excellent Palliative Care as the Standard, Physician-Assisted Dying as a Last Resort.” Pp. 323-33 in Physician-Assisted Dying: The Case for Palliative Care and Patient Choice. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Saunders, William L. 2004. “The Human Embryo in Debate.” Pp. 115-135 in Human Dignity in the Biotech Century, edited by Charles W. Colson and Nigel M. de S. Cameron. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Stassen, Glen H. and David P. Gushee. 2003. Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Contexts. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Chapter 10.

Van der Heide, Agnes et al. 2003. “End-of-Life Decision-Making in Six European Countries: Descriptive Study.” Lancet.

3. The following readings are available for free download.

Labossiere, Michael C. 1995. Fallacy Tutorial 3.0

http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/

Miller, Robert T. 2005. “The Legal Death of Terri Schiavo.” First Things

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2005/05/the-legal-death-of-terri-schiavo

State of Oregon. Death with Dignity Act Annual Reports.

https://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/EvaluationResearch/DeathwithDignityAct/Pages/ar-index.aspx

Requirements:

1. Attendance, Presentations, and Academic Decorum

Students are expected to attend every class, except for cases of illness or family emergency. It is not possible to pass the class if you miss more than two classes.

Students must make several in-class presentations. Each one is described in the course schedule below.

Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions in ways that show respect for others even while disagreeing about ideas. Please refer to the Iliff Community Covenant for more details.

http://www.iliff.edu/index/learn/the-iliff-experience/community-covenant/

2. Final Research Paper

The paper should be 8-10 pages and demonstrate their understanding of the course readings.

a) Option 1: Describe a source (book, article, movie, etc.) presenting an individual or organization’s perspective on a bioethical issue. Compare and contrast it with the perspectives in the course readings.

b) Option 2: Some other type of research paper related to the material in the course. Be sure to clear it with the instructor before starting.

Grading:

Attendance, Presentations, and Academic Decorum —25%

Final Paper—75%

This course may be taken pass/fail, but you must request this in writing (email is fine) during the first two weeks. It is not necessary to provide a justification for your request.

My working assumption is that students in a masters program can be expected to produce above average academic work. Therefore, the modal grade I assign is B+. A paper will earn a B+ if it 1) fulfills all of the requirements of the assignment and 2) demonstrates that the student has a solid (though not necessarily flawless) understanding of the con­cepts in the course readings and lectures. A paper will earn a grade higher than a B+ if it fulfills the assignment and demonstrates exceptional insight into the course concepts. A paper will earn a grade of B or B- if there are minor to moderate shortcomings in either fulfilling the assignment or demonstrating understanding of course concepts. Grades below B- are reserved for papers with major shortcomings in either area.

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.