Syllabus - Ethics and Morality

(One Semester)
Learning Expectations
Catholic students will acquire a solid understanding of
the fundamental principles of moral theology as taught
by Catholic Church. This understanding that will
contribute to a personal relationship with God and the
development of moral values. ESRL 1.
Non Catholic students will acquire a solid
understanding of Catholic moral theology and its
logical, scriptural and traditional basis. This
knowledge will contribute to the students spiritual
and ethical growth in a multicultural society. ESRLs
1, 4.
Principles of moral theology will be taught with
academic rigor appropriate to grade level but also with
an appreciation that part of the mission of Serra High
School is to form adult Catholics. ESRLs 2, 3
Students will develop the reading and writing skills
necessary to use analytical tools of moral theology in
concrete situations and assessments. ESRL 2
Students will practice effective communication skills
in the context of ethical dilemmas and challenges
encountered by high school and college-age students.
ESRL 3
Catholic students will internalize Catholic teaching as
part of their formation as adult Catholics. ESRL 1, 4.
Self control and application will be required of all
students. ESRL 4.
Standards.
Students will understand the logical, biblical and
traditional sources of Catholic moral theology and
ethics.

Students will understand the Catholic Churchs

teachings on the nature of man, original sin, and free
will.
Students will understand the connection between
freedom, imputability and responsibility.
Students will understand the ethical obligation to form
a true conscience and the threats that rationalization,
misinformation and secularization.
Students will understand the distinction between a
naturalistic system of ethics and a Christian system,
namely that Christian ethics is informed by revelation
and tradition and has a supernatural objective.
Students will understand Catholic principles of moral
analysis and the fallacies of ethical relativism.
Students will understand that the only sure test of
success in life is sainthood.
Prerequisites.

None

Texts.
The New American Bible: St. Joseph Medium Size Edition
Catholic Book Publishing Company.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catechism)
Image Books, Doubleday, New York.
Our Moral Life in Christ,
The Didache Series
General Editor: Rev. James Socias
Midwest Theological Forum, 2003
Our Moral Life in Christ, Workbook
The Didache Series
Rev. Fred Gatschet
Midwest Theological Forum, 2006.

Real Love: Answers to Your Questions on Dating,

Marriage and the Real Meaning of Sex
Mary Beth Bonacci
Ignatius Press, 1996.
Course Outline.
See Course Description above.
Week of
8/20

8/27
9/3
9/10

9/17

9/24
10/1
10/8
10/15
10/22

10/29

11/5

Tentative Subject Matter

Classroom procedures and standards,
Overview and expectations,
Overview of the liturgy of the Mass,
Introduction to Conscience and the
Natural Law.
Conscience Informed by Revelation.
Freedom, Imputability and Responsibility
Basic Principles of Catholic Moral
Theology:
The Christian concept of humanity
The New Life of the Spirit
Defense of truth
Basic Principles of Catholic Moral
Theology:
Christian social responsibility
Sources of moral theology
Formation of a true conscience
The moral conscience.
Laws and ethics.
Morality in the concrete:
Components of moral choice
Principle of double effects
Morality in the concrete:
Objectivity of good and evil
Historical arguments for moral
objectivity
Fallacies of Moral relativism
Sin and conversion
Definition of sin
Real meaning of sin from the Bible
Sin as a Personal Act
Sin and conversion
Loss of the meaning of sin
3

11/12

11/19
11/26
12/3
12/10
12/17

Kinds of sin
Cooperation in evil
Sin and conversion
Effects of sin
Conversion and forgiveness
Sacrament of reconciliation
Sin and conversion
Justification
Conversion
Social teachings of the Catholic Church
Social teachings of the Catholic Church
Review
Review

Teaching strategies.

(Tentative)

Lecture and notetaking almost daily.

Quizzes almost daily.
Journalling almost daily.
Reading text or finding answers to specific questions
within the text.
Games and contexts occasionally with prizes.
Research assignments limited to legitimate text
sources.
Dramatizations, debates and news presentations.
Types of Assessment
Quiz virtually every class session, one-half new
questions, one-half old questions
Note taking mandatory. Notes will be reviewed and
graded. Quizzes may include finding relevant
information in notes.
Journals and work book will be assessed with students
regularly.
4

Classroom participation and projects including debates,

news shows, skits or dramatizations. Notes and
homework will be part
Research projects.
Essay final exam.
Grading scale.
Grading is on a modified curve. Class average
translates to 78. Highest three combined scores
translate to 98%. Grades scaled relative to those
guide posts.
Quizzes will represent 30% of final grade,
participation (including graded notes) 30%,
journal and project 30%,
final exam 10%.
Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught
cheating will necessarily be reduced one grade level
(i.e. from A+ to A) in addition to a zero on the test,
quiz or assignment. Disciplinary consequences as
specified in the Student Handbook.
Failure to return homework when due reduces grade on
that assignment by at least half. Late homework will
be accepted at any time, but the later the submission
the lower the grade is likely to be.
Extra credit will be given for exceptional performance
and points deducted for refusal to participate or
disruption of the learning opportunities of others.
Extra credit work will be available to students who
request the opportunity to make up for disappointing
performance in other respects.
Extra credit is added or deducted on an individual
basis and not used in calculating guide posts.