MT 521
Fall Semester 2010
Professor: Rev. Edward J. Richard, M.S.
Contact: Room 107; Office Phone 314-792-6107; www.edwardjamesrichard.com; email=richard@kenrick.edu.
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, after class or by appointment. Of course, you are free to stop by my office anytime I am there.
1. Course Description and General Objectives
This course is a presentation of the elements of Catholic moral teaching in the magisterium of the Church in light of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis splendor. The goals of the course include introduction of the student to (1) the influence of Sacred Scripture, especially the Pauline letters and the Sermon on the Mount, on Christian ethics; (2) the moral teaching of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas and the relationship between virtues, grace, and law; (3) the influence of nominalism upon modern moral theology; and (4) the relationship between freedom, conscience, and truth. Classes will include lectures and discussion.
2. Course Materials
Required Reading (assigned sections of):
Texts:
Servais Pinckaers, OP. The Sources of Christian Ethics, CUA Press, 1995.
Antony Koch and Arthur Preuss. A Handbook of Moral Theology. Vol. 1 and 2 or any available moral manual, such as Handbook of Moral Theology by Dominic Prummer,OP.
Documents:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Part III. ##1691-2082
Veritatis splendor.
Additional Bibliography:
Our Moral Life in Christ. (College ed.) Peter Armenio. Midwest Theological Forum, 2009. Clear, straightforward presentation of the basics. Recommended for teachers.
Introduction to Moral Theology. Romanus Cessario. CUA Press, 2001. Contains some useful material and a good resource on Natural Law. You might find this helpful if you are looking for resources for teaching adults on an advanced level.
The Lord's Sermon on the Mount. St. Augustine. Paulist Press, 1948. Everyone should read this at least once in their life.
Living the Truth in Love: A Biblical Introduction to Moral Theology. Benedict Ashley, O. P. Alba House, 1996. This book is quite useful if you want a straightforward treatment of the virtues with a reference to the Catechism.
The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics. Romanus Cessario, O.P. University of Notre Dame Press, 1991. This book has a good treatment of Prudence.
A Course in Thomistic Ethics, D. Q. McInerny. Indispensible for any budding Thomist.
Moral Theology. Heribert Jone, OFM, adapted by Urban Adelman, OFM. Newman 1946 (Tan edition). Easy to obtain.
3. Course and Classroom Procedures.
Generally, assignments are posted in the class schedule. The professor might alter those, however, and the website www.edwardjamesrichard.com should be checked regularly for changes in the schedule. The professor expects that students will prepare for class by reading the required material, the assigned documents, and the articles of the Catechism specified in the class schedule. The procedure in the classroom will include lectures and occasional discussions. Questions and comments are always welcome and encouraged.
4. Examinations.
There will be three examinations covering the reading material and the lectures. One examination will be in the form of a study guide in preparation for the final. See the class schedule for dates.
5. Grading.
Grading will be conducted according to the Kenrick catalogue based upon the examinations and class participation which should demonstrate knowledge of assigned reading. The percentage-composition of grades will be 25% each for the examinations, and 25% for class participation which includes attendance and active participation in any assigned discussion boards.
6. Class Attendance.
Class attendance is required. Students planning to be absent should personally contact the instructor prior to the absence, if possible.