Ethics - Society - Religion

Teacher(s)

Odak Stipe;

Language

French

Main themes

To meet these objectives, the course is broken down as follows:
- (Module A: ethics and society) a general introduction to ethical reflection on social matters; conceptual work is combined with case studies (the question of sustainable development is addressed among other topics) ;
- (Module B: social ethics and religion) the influence of religious traditions, in particular Christian social teaching, on theories and real life in a pluralistic and multicultural society.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	By the end of this course, the student should be able to: - articulate questions regarding norms and values in institutional contexts; - indicate the ethical implications of social sciences and law; - work with the key concepts of social philosophy; - understand the role of religions within theories of justice and concrete commitments.

Content

How do the concepts of religion, society, and ethics relate to each other? What are the dynamics and tensions between them? The first part of the course seeks to address these two pivotal questions. various viewpoints regarding the nature and role of religion in contemporary societies with a special emphasis on secularization and religious resurgence. Subsequently, we scrutinize the multifaceted notion of power to grasp how religious groups and ideologies shape societal transformations. Finally, the discussion extends to the notion of social justice, exploring the meanings of freedom, solidarity, and responsibility, as well as the boundaries of pluralism and tolerance.
In the second phase of this course, theories and concepts gleaned from the initial stage are applied towards understanding contemporary ethical dilemmas. These include, but are not limited to, religious violence and peacebuilding, technology and artificial intelligence, human rights, and identity politics.

Teaching methods

The course is structured as a series of lectures delivered by the instructor, complemented by active discussions that are integral to each session. The course also includes collaborative group work and student presentations focusing on selected contemporary ethical issues.

Evaluation methods

The course grade is determined by two components: continuous evaluation (40%) and a final paper (60%).
Continuous evaluation assesses students' active engagement through two mid-term submissions. Students may choose the format of their submissions in consultation with the instructor, such as written essays, podcasts, vlogs, public discussions, open-mic nights, or street surveys. The final paper must be submitted via Moodle during the exam period.

Other information

While the language of instruction for this course is French, accommodations are available for non-native speakers. Students may pose questions, engage in consultations with the instructor, and submit their assignments in English.

Online resources

A selection of scholarly texts and online resources will be made available on Moodle.

Faculty or entity

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