Module: Social Ethics & Service-Learning Placement

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Social Ethics & Service-Learning Placement
Module Code	RET1039 (ITS: TP301)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

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.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures
Independent Study	40	Placement Preparation and Induction
Clinical placement	40	Placement
Independent Study	72	Independent learning
Independent Study	50	CA preparation
Report	24	Reflective Placement Report
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11525	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ethna Regan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Written Exam	Four short papers	50%	n/a
Report(s)	Placement Report	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

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

0: Select primary texts and readings on particular issues will be distributed weekly,