DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Social Ethics & Service-Learning Placement
Module Code TP301
School 59
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Ethna Regan
Semester 2: Ethna Regan
Autumn: Ethna Regan
Module TeachersEthna Regan
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

The purpose of this module is: (1) to examine classical and contemporary Christian social ethics, and select related Jewish and Islamic texts; (2) to engage with the wider community beyond the university through participation in a service-learning placement. In this module, students develop knowledge of primary texts – biblical, patristic, medieval, modern and contemporary – on matters of social and global justice. Students develop skills of critical analysis in relation to a number of national and international issues in social ethics. In semester one, students participate in lectures and weekly discussions about select readings. There is an 80% attendance requirement in semester one in order for a student to progress to the service-learning placement. In semester two, students do a service-learning placement with an organization that works for social justice through direct service provision (for example, services for people who are homeless) or through advocacy and policy development (for example, Trocaire). The module will conclude with the submission of a reflective placement report which combines theory and reflection on service-learning practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of foundational areas of theological Social Ethics.
2. Identify and analyse key themes in the Christian tradition, and related themes in the other Abrahamic faiths, and their relevance for contemporary social ethics.
3. Critique a range of texts on justice, peace and integrity of creation.
4. Engage in analysis of and reflection upon contemporary social issues, with particular reference to the Irish context.
5. Collaborate effectively with individuals and groups working in the area of social ethics.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Lectures
Independent Study40Placement Preparation and Induction
Clinical placement40Placement
Independent Study72Independent learning
Independent Study50CA preparation
Report24Reflective Placement Report
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Justice in the Hebrew Scriptures

Inter-Testamental Perspectives

New Testament and Social Ethics

Patristic Perspectives on Wealth and Poverty

Justice, War and Non-Violence: From Augustine to Martin Luther King

Aquinas on Justice and Love

Ethics, Pacifism and the Arms Trade

Catholic Social Teaching: from Leo XIII to Francis

The Option for the Poor: Theology and Practice

Religion and Human Rights

Religious Ethics and the Environment

Religion and International Development

Religion and Civil Society

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Written ExamFour short papers50%n/a
Report(s)Placement Report50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • E.M. Atkins and R.J. Dodaro, eds.: 2001, Augustine, Augustine’s Political Writings, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
  • Callicott, J.B.: 1997, Earth's Insights: A Multicultural Survey of Ecological Ethics from the Mediterranean Basin to the Australian Outback, Berkeley, University of California,
  • Charles, Rodger: 1998, Christian Social Witness and Teaching: the Catholic Social Tradition form Genesis to Centesimus Annus, Vol.1, From Biblical Times to the Late Nineteenth Century, Gracewing, Herefordshire,
  • Cooke, Michael: 2001, Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong in Islamic Thought, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
  • Carbonnier, Gilles: 2013, International Development Policy: Religion and Development, Palgrave Macmillan, London,
  • Gill, Robin, ed.: 2001, The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
  • Heschel, Abraham: 1992, The Prophets, Harper Torchbooks, New York/ London,
  • Leemans, Johann, Brian Matz & Johann Verstraeten, eds.: 2012, Reading Patristic Texts on Social Ethics: Issues and Challenges for the Twenty-First Century, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, DC,
  • Novak, David: 1992, Jewish Social Ethics, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Pope, Stephen, ed.: 2002, The Ethics of Aquinas, Georgetown University Press, Washington, DC,
  • Schubeck, Thomas L.: 2007, Love that does Justice, Orbis, Maryknoll, NY,
  • Stassen, Glen, ed.: 1998, Just Peacemaking: Ten Practices for Abolishing War, The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland,
Other Resources

36130, 0, Select primary texts and readings on particular issues will be distributed weekly,
Programme or List of Programmes
BAJHBachelor of Arts (BAJH)
BAJHIBachelor of Arts (BAJHI)
BAJPBachelor of Arts (BAJP)
BAJPIBachelor of Arts (BAJPI)
BAJPNBachelor of Arts (BAJPN) - Intra P
Archives:

My DCU | Loop | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement