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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Systematic & Moral Theology
Module Code EDU1041 (ITS: CCE201)
Faculty DCU Institute of Education School Human Development
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

The module explores moral decision-making within a Catholic/Christian context that includes an analysis of secular moral systems and philosophies. The module also aims to introduce students to the theology of the Trinity. The Creeds of the Church contain summaries of the essential doctrines of the Church down through the centuries and have a Trinitarian structure.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E1472BA-C6EB-0001-C6CD-185071AB1A7E
2. Understand the difference between moral philosophy and moral theology as well as the common ground between both disciplines.
4. 7,6,8,10
5. 1
6. 1E1472BA-D2BB-0001-852C-15AE1ADCC1D0
7. Evaluate the morality of specific acts from both theological and philosophical perspectives.
9. 20,8,11,9,10
10. 2
11. 1E1472BA-DC19-0001-5523-D86FC6E4154A
12. Understand the difference between objectivity and subjectivity in relation to the moral agent and the act carried out.
14. 7,8,21,10
15. 3
16. 1E1472BA-E62D-0001-5ECB-896DCD801263
17. Understand the relationship between psychological health and moral freedom.
19. 7,6
20. 4
21. 1E1472BA-F075-0001-294F-1100F663194A
22. Critically assess Catholic Church teaching on bioethical issues.
24. 20,7,6,11,9
25. 5
26. 1E1472BA-FA5D-0001-13E1-19501640102B
27. Assess the Christian contribution to morality.
29. 21,11,9,10
30. 6
31. 1E1472BF-53E8-0001-5078-F95819001AA6
32. Demonstrate an understanding of the central beliefs of Christianity in relation to God, humanity, the economy of salvation and role of revelation.
34. 7,6
35. 7
36. 1E1472BF-5D26-0001-3333-1FC01C5EA260
37. Engage in critical debate/discussion in relation to the module’s theological topics.
39. 20,8,9,10
40. 8
41. 1E1472BF-66D5-0001-374F-FD9D7BB4117D
42. Develop their critical, reflective skills in relation to content of the Christian Tradition.
44. 20,7,6,8,11,9,10
45. 9
46. 1E1472BF-6C18-0001-2EDF-1B401B26A6A0
47. Demonstrate an understanding of the import of and foundational connection between core Creedal affirmations and religious education curriculum.
49. 7,6
50. 10


Total Workload: 0
Section Breakdown
CRN10451Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorColette MaloneyModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayAn essay of 1,500 words based on one of the course topics.50%n/a
EssayAn essay of 1,500 words based on one of the topics from the Creed and Trinity component of this module.50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

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

Introduction to Ethics

The Human Act

Conscience

The Natural Law in the Catholic Moral Tradition

Relativism

Special Moral Theology/Assisted Human Reproduction: IVF

The Church and Morality

Christianity and Morality

Articles of the Creed
Faith; God; Revelation; Creation; Incarnation; Redemption; Holy Spirit; The Trinity; Mary; Church

The Economy of salvation
Role of Revelation; Christian Anthropology; Dialogue of Doubt and Faith; Creed / Doctrine and Human Experience

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Hamel, R and Himes, K. (Eds.): 1989, Introduction to Christian Ethics: A Reader, Paulist Press, Mahwah NJ,
  • MacNamara, V.: 1998, The Truth In Love, Gill, Dublin,
  • Harrington Donal: 1996, What is Morality?, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Singer, P. (Ed.): 1991, A Companion to Ethics, Blackwells, Oxford,
  • Genovesi, Vincent J: 1996, In Pursuit of Love: Catholic Morality and Human Sexuality, Liturgical Press, Minnesota,
  • Gula, Richard: 1989, Reason Informed by Faith, Paulist Press, New York,
  • Hanley, A. and Smith, D. (Eds.): 2005, Quench not the Spirit, The Columba Press, Dublin,
  • O’Connell, T.: 1978, Principles for a Catholic Morality, Seabury, Minneapolis,
  • Varga, A.: 1978, On Being Human: Principles of Ethics, Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ:,
  • Hession, Anne and Kieran, Patricia (Eds): 2007, Exploring Theology, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Kuhse, H. & Singer, P. (eds): 2004, Bioethics: An Anthology, Blackwell, Oxford,
  • Marthaler, B.: 1987, The Creed, Twenty Third Publications, Connecticut,
  • Pope Francis: 2013, Lumen Fidei, Veritas, Dublin,
  • Catholic Church: 1995, Catechism of the Catholic Church Part Two, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

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