Ethical Reasoning - Ethics and Religion


In this lesson we will be exploring the relationship between religion and ethics as expressed on the PBS website - Religion & Ethics Newsweekly


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify core religious beliefs related to a current event news item.
  • Identify multiple perspectices on the same issue.
  • Formulate a personal perspective that takes into consideration others' perspective on the issue.

Teaching

In this assignment we will explore religious diversity through the lens of ethical practice. To do so we are going to explore feature articles on the PBS website "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly"

Click HERE to visit the site

Ethical decision making is the process by which we analyze the facts of a situation and formulate an opinion or action to that situation that is in line with our beliefs. Others may come to different conclusions despite the facts being the same; they hold different belief systems. Perspective taking is the ability for us to see a situation from another person's viewpoint. Being able to see a situation from anothers' viewpoint does not have to entail changing one's own viewpoint, but it does allow for empathy and sympathy for that other persons' views. This is a key aspect in the process of problem solving and conflict resolution.

In this assignment you will be examining your own beliefs and how those beliefs impact your ethical decision making...in addition you will be exploring the beliefs expressed in an article and contrast it with your ethical decision making process.

You are to do the following:

  • Find a news item of interest in the Religion & Ethics Newsweekly website (you will include a link to news item in your paper).
  • Identify your own viewpoints on the issue.
  • Identify the religious based viewpoint(s) expressed in the article.
  • Write the paper in accordance with the rubric below.
  • Submit the paper in MS Word or PDF format to the appropriate drop box.

Grading Rubric

The following criteria will be used to evaluate and grade your submission: