Christian Ethics and Society

CS550 TUTORIAL IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SOCIETY (1-3)

Pohl, Thobaben
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of introductory study in Christian Ethics and Society. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

CS599 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN CHURCH IN SOCIETY (1-3)

Pohl, Thobaben
Guided, independent, introductory research in Christian Ethics and Society. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

CS601 CHRISTIAN ETHICS (2)

Edgar, Pohl, Thobaben
Prepares students to analyze and address the moral life from a Christian perspective. Introduces students to historical and contemporary sources for Christian ethics. Explores how responses to moral problems and integrity shape the Christian community. Provides a foundation for further studies in Christian ethics and for congregational/institutional responses to social and moral concerns. Prerequisite: IS501.

The core elective requirement in Understanding the World and in Christian Ethics can be met by courses in the range, CS610-39.

CS610 WOMEN IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY (2-3)

Pohl
Drawing upon the insights of biblical theology, history, sociology, and anthropology, this course explores the places of women in society and in the church - both as they are and as they should be. Examines various views of how maleness and femaleness are instilled by society and nourished in the church. Critically analyzes feminist thought and the experience of women in the U.S. and other cultures for the insights they may provide. Develops a vision of redeemed community in which there is sensitive communication along with mutually edifying relationships. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS620 HISPANIC THEOLOGY AND SOCIAL ETHICS (3)

Staff
This course provides an introduction to the history, culture, economics, and politics of the Hispanic/Latino(a) presence in the U.S., through studying the main Hispanic/Latino(a), key themes, and methods of this recent theological articulation that emerges from the religious life, shared experiences, and struggles of Latinos and Latinas in the U.S. This course will assist students in developing practical applications and tentative responses in welcoming and reaching out to Hispanics in the U.S. in their places of ministry. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS621 HISPANIC HISTORY, THEOLOGY, AND MINISTRY (3)

Staff
An examination of the relationship between the dominant white majority and Hispanic groups within the United States, the Hispanic experience in America, and their contribution to what constitutes the American experiment. The role of the church as both perpetuator and reconciler will be considered. Prerequisite: CS 601.

CS625 BLACK HISTORY, THEOLOGY, AND MINISTRY (3)

Gray
An examination of black history with a view toward better understanding of the black pilgrimage in the North American environment, and the black consciousness that has emerged. Explores theologies and approaches to ministry that have developed out of this consciousness. Prerequisite: CS601.

The core elective requirement in Understanding the World can be met by taking courses in the range, CS640-49.

CS632/MS652 CHRISTIAN MINISTRY IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY (3)

Staff
This course equips and prepares students for Christian ministry in a multicultural society. It is designed to provide historical, sociological, theological and ethical foundations for ministry in a diverse society; to provide relevant models for developing a multicultural approach to ministry; and to assist in developing practical applications and new ministry programs that are relevant and meaningful for a multicultural, pluralistic, and diverse society. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS637 RURAL COMMUNITY AND MORAL CONCERNS (3)

Thobaben
Though the U.S. population has "urbanized" over the past century, substantial portions remain in rural areas. Many seminary students will take positions in such settings upon graduation. To properly serve, students should gain knowledge about the economic and social structure of rural communities. CS643 introduces students to appropriate secular literature and resources, and provides Christian models for responding to various moral problems and conflicts. Particular ethical foci for the course are the cultural interpretations of n/Nature, land, work, stewardship, and Christian service. Costs include tuition and travel. The course is to be offered in conjunction with AMERC. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS640 SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3)

Thobaben
This course is designed to prepare students for ministry by training them to analyze the structure, function, role, and interpretation of religion at the turn of the 21st century. Students are introduced to classical and contemporary sociological interpretations of religion, taught the vocabulary of the sociology of religion, and introduced to qualitative and quantitative research methods. The primary emphasis throughout the course will be on Christianity, specifically in the Northern Hemisphere. References to other religions and to non-Western expressions of Christianity are included to facilitate integration of the Sociology of Religion material with material from other courses. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS641 SOCIAL WORK AND THE CLERGY (3)

Staff
A survey of public and private social service delivery systems and the profession of social work. Focuses on the minister's role in problem identification and referral for the purposeful utilization of community resources. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS642 MAJORITY-MINORITY RELATIONS (3)

Gray
An examination of the relationship between the dominant white majority and ethnic minority groups within the United States, their experience in America, and their contribution to what constitutes the great American experiment. Additionally, the question of the role of the church as both perpetrator and reconciler will be considered. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS650 TUTORIAL IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SOCIETY (1-3)

Pohl, Thobaben
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of intermediate study in Christian Ethics and Society. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

The core elective requirement in Christian Ethics can be met by courses in the range, CS651-98.

CS651 CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (3)

Pohl
To enhance the Christian's understanding of justice, this course examines selected biblical materials, writings of Christian theologians (e.g., Augustine, Calvin, Wesley, R. Niebuhr) and secular writings (Utilitarian, Social Contract, and others) which are particularly instructive on the subject of social justice. Special attention will be given to the way that each perspective views the individual, society, equality vs. inequality, and justice vs. love. Applications to practical problems will be made. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS652 ETHICS OF HOSPITALITY AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES (2-3)

Pohl
This course introduces students to the Christian tradition of offering hospitality to strangers. Students will examine and interact with biblical texts on hospitality and with numerous historical and contemporary practices and writings on hospitality in the church. Students will learn to use hospitality as a moral framework in developing a pastoral response to issues of diversity and inclusion in church and society. Careful attention will be given to tensions and difficulties in welcoming strangers. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS653 THE POOR IN WESLEY'S SOCIAL ETHICS (3)

Staff
This course is designed to develop ministers who are responsive to the needs of the poor and other marginalized groups in society and church; to provide Wesleyan foundations, ethical and theological, to equip ministers and their congregations for understanding their moral responsibility toward the poor and the oppressed; and to assist in developing practical applications and tentative responses to poverty related issues. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS654 MORALITY AT THE END OF MODERNITY (2-3)

Thobaben
The course examines how "modern" culture has been interpreted for society by analyzing fictional portrayals of society, especially utopias and dystopias. The moral implications of various conceptualizations of freedom, free-will, personal identity, etc. are considered in light of changing technologies and forms of social organization. Among the Christian and non-Christian authors whose works are read are: C.S. Lewis, Dostoyevsky, Golding, Huxley, Kafka, MacDonald, and Orwell. Students develop methods for understanding narratives as moral presentations and examine how stories reinforce or challenge social views. Students consider how stories impact the understanding of Christianity in the broader society and how Christians can tell the Gospel story in light of significant social changes. One of the evaluation options includes writing a piece of fiction and, then, analyzing that work using tools developed in the class. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS/NT655 FAITH AND WEALTH IN NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE (2-3)

Staff
How closely the New Testament message is related to the realities of human existence at the turn of the third millennium is evident from a consideration of its contents against its socio-economic backdrop. By means of an exploration of the social, economic, and political environment in which the Christian movement took shape in the first century, students will understand better that issues of wealth are no more significant in this industrial-cum-information-cum-cyber era than in the first-century Roman world. This course examines how Jesus and various New Testament writers worked out the socio-economic implications of the gospel in their settings and how their witness might inform and shape our own. Prerequisites: NT520 and CS601.

CS/CD670/MS616 DISCIPLING FOR EVANGELISM & SOCIAL JUSTICE (2-3)

Gray
An examination of the strategic role of the pastor, minister of discipleship, minister of youth, or other ministry leader in discipling a faith community for commitments to and ministries of evangelism, reconciliation, and social justice.

CS680 BIOETHICS: DEATH & DYING (1)

Thobaben
Students will examine the social and cultural interpretation of death and the theological implications. The ethical focus is on euthanasia and the morality of care for the dying. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS681 BIOETHICS: TECHNOLOGY & CULTURE (1)

Thobaben
Students will examine the social and cultural interpretation of biotechnology (including altering genetic structures) and the theological implications. The ethical focus is on genetic modification of humans, as well as other life forms. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS682 BIOETHICS: CREATURES & THE ENVIRONMENT (1)

Thobaben
Students will examine the social and cultural interpretation of n/Nature and the theological implications. The ethical focus is on environmental actions, animal rights/welfare, etc. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS683 BIOETHICS: SICKNESS & DISABILITY (1)

Thobaben
Students will examine the social and cultural interpretation of sickness and disability and the theological implications of physical suffering. The ethical focus is on the morality of care for the sick, how Christians should "be sick", how healthcare is distributed, and a faithful response to those with disabilities. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS684 BIOETHICS: EVOLUTION & CREATION (1)

Thobaben
Students will examine the social and cultural interpretation of the creation/evolution debate, including its history and the theological implications. The ethical focus is on how believers should interact with secularists, as well as how they should discuss the issues within the community of faith. Prerequisite: CS601.

CS699 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SOCIETY (1-3)

Pohl, Thobaben
Guided, independent, intermediate research in Christian Ethics and Society. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

CS750 TUTORIAL IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SOCIETY (1-3)

Pohl, Thobaben
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of advanced study in Christian Ethics and Society. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

CS799 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND SOCIETY (1-3)

Pohl, Thobaben
Guided, independent, advanced research in Christian Ethics and Society. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

CS850 MASTER OF ARTS THESIS (6)

Staff
A culminating project for the Master of Arts (Research) in Theological Studies. See academic policy and procedures. Credit only.

Asbury Theological Seminary

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