Life, Love and Death: Catholic Moral Theology

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

In this course we will study the Catholic theological foundations for sexual ethics and bioethics. Topics in sexual ethics will include love and marriage, contraception, homosexuality, and gender identity. In the area of bioethics, we will first consider the moral dimensions of the creation of human life by examining Catholic teachings on reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization, gamete donation and commercialization, surrogacy, and genetic testing and screening. We will also cover end-of-life issues, with special attention to Catholic resources on the topics of euthanasia, assisted suicide, palliative care, and artificial nutrition and hydration. The formats will be lecture and discussion, with regular consideration of cases and scenarios. Requirements include several short perspective/reflection papers, a mid-term exam, and a final research paper on a topic of interest to the student.