R661 Religion and Social Criticism (3 Cr.) - Smith M 4:00-6:00  (Poynter
Center 618 East 3rdStreet) PJ 107 (Smith)

A selective introduction to several different ways of relating religious
metaphors, principles and conceptions of the good life to questions of
ethics and social policy.  The overarching issue is the tension between
religious particularity or specificity, on the one hand, and general
applicability, public argument and social pluralism, on the other.  Most
of the religious writers considered will be Christian; I am particularly
interested in religious views that are intellectually sophisticated and in
particular in the theological "school" H. R.  Niebuhr.  Subjects to be
discussed range from basic questions of method in ethics through issues in
normative ethics and problematics in the teaching of ethics.  On the
normative level we will consider several issues but give particular
attention to some questions bearing on care for the dying.

Writers to be read include (but are not limited to) H. R. Niebuhr, Paul
Ramsey, Sallie McFague, Michael Perry, James F. Childress, William F. May
and Kenneth Kirk.  This is the Track I seminar.  Requirements will be six
short papers, due at intervals, and a final examination given at the time
designated in the schedule of classes.  Students will have ample
opportunity to choose the topics of their short papers and for focused
work on the final.  Meets with R713.