Scope and sequence
Scope and sequence
Part 1: Ethical systems Lesson
Core concepts
Lesson aim
Learning intentions
Lesson 1
Ethics is about
To introduce students
څKnow a clear definition of ethics (and
Introducing
exploring the ‘best
to ethical thinking and
ethics
way’ for life when
questions and to get
deciding what makes
students to consider
actions, speech,
whether ethics (and
thoughts and
morals) is merely a matter
proposals right or
of opinion or something
wrong, good or bad
that stands outside of
It involves thinking about our identity as
morals) څDefine objective and subjective approaches to ethics څBegin to appreciate where ethics impacts real life.
ourselves, our culture and our time.
moral agents, people who constantly make decisions about right and wrong, good and bad Two overarching approaches are subjective vs objective. Lesson 2
One approach to
To introduce students to
Individualism
ethics is to favour the
the various arguments in
rights of the individual
favour of the individualistic
to choose, based
approach to ethics and
on either pleasure
show how and when it
(hedonism), feelings
can conflict with the rights
(romanticism) or logic
of others.
څKnow (define) the difference between individualism and collectivism څBegin to appreciate the implications of ethical choices based on individual pleasure and feelings څBe able to apply these theories
(rationalism). This
(hedonism, romanticism, rationalism)
approach can clash
to real life and critique them for their
with the rights of
inadequacies particularly in relation to
others (collectivism).
the rights of others (collectivism).
Scope and sequence
Lesson
Core concepts
Lesson aim
Learning intentions
Lesson 3
A rule-orientated
To introduce students
څKnow the difference between a rules-
Rules vs
approach to ethics
to both rule-based and
based approach to ethics (deontology)
results
(deontology) believes
results-based approaches
and a results-based approach
that right is right,
to ethics and to see that
(consequentialism)
regardless of the
while each have their
results.
place, neither is enough
A result-orientated approach
to deal with all of life’s complexities.
څBegin to appreciate how deontology and consequentialism play out in real life situations څBe able to describe the implications
(consequentialism)
of a strict adherence to either one of
believes that the
these theories, with a sense of their
results tell you whether
inadequacies.
an act was good or bad. Lesson 4
Rather than judging
To introduce students to
Values and
our ethics by acts or
the idea that our character
virtues
decisions made in the
and motivations have a
light of rules of results-
strong influence over our
type thinking, ethics
ethical decisions and both
is more about what
character and motivation
kind of people we wish
are powerfully influenced
to be.
by our values.
څKnow the difference between actions and values (and virtues) څBegin to appreciate the importance of motivation and character in influencing ethical choices and actions. څBe able to articulate the importance, and the limitations, of values and virtue in motivating and assessing actions.
Scope and sequence
Part 2: A brief introduction to biblical ethics Lesson
Core concepts
Lesson aim
Lesson aim
Lesson 5
At the heart of creation
To introduce students to
څKnow that the starting point for
Created: How
is an objective moral
the idea of an intrinsic
Christian ethics is a belief in an objective
God made it
order emerging from
moral order, that is in both
moral order that comes from God’s
the objective nature
us and the world around
character and which gives creation a
and purpose of all
us, and which emanates
plan and purpose
created things. This
from the character of God
moral order emanates
as a relational being.
from the character
څBegin to appreciate that in Christian understanding the purpose of creation lies in relationships: between God and
of God.
people, between people and people, and between people and creation څHave considered how the Christian claim that humans alone are created in the image of God affects their relationships and approach to ethics.
Lesson 6
Humanity rebelled
To introduce students to
The fall: How
against God’s good
the idea of a fallen creation
meaning of the Fall as it relates to ethics
did it get so
design and rule,
that is not as God originally
now
messed up?
leading to subjective
intended and the idea that
individualism. This
try as we might, because
is sin and we are
of the effect of sin, we are
powerless against it.
unable and unwilling to
All our relationships—
always perfectly judge and
with God, others and
choose the good.
creation—suffer as a result.
څBe able to critically evaluate the
څBegin to appreciate the catastrophic nature of the actions of humanity in breaking relationship with God څKnow the impact of the Fall on human perception of, and willingness to choose, what is good څHave considered the way the Fall has impacted their own lives.
Scope and sequence
Lesson
Core concepts
Lesson aim
Lesson aim
Lesson 7
Despite our inability
To introduce students to
څKnow that Jesus’ life, death and
Redemption:
to perfectly choose,
the Christian idea of ethics
resurrection are God’s answer to our
How does
or desire, the good,
as bound up in the life,
problem of fractured relationship
Jesus make a
God has provided
death and resurrection
with him (and each other) and
difference?
a solution; not in
of Jesus; and that biblical
that repentance and faith are the
more rules but in the
ethics desires not us
appropriate response
Bible’s over-arching
following more rules or
story of redemption
achieving good results, but
culminating in the life,
living lives transformed by
death and resurrection
the future hope.
of Jesus. Only in
څBegin to see links between the Bible’s account of redemption and ethics in a world heading for renewal څHave considered how the hope of
this is the possibility
redemption—both now and in the
of justice and
future—affects their lives now.
forgiveness necessary for the restoration of humanity to their designed purpose. Lesson 8
Jesus’ life, death and
Jesus’ life and teaching
A Jesus
resurrection not only
show us the best way to
around Jesus as the culmination of the
-shaped ethic
secure our redemption
live a biblical ethic; his
Bible’s teaching
but as the culmination
death shows us the place
of the Bible, they
of forgiveness and justice;
shape biblical ethics.
and his resurrection
There is often no neat
secures our purpose and
answer in ethics but
hope which transforms
what is best will always
life now.
be ‘Jesus-shaped’.
څKnow that biblical ethics centres
څEthical questions are too complex to have neat answers. In the Bible we see the questions that God’s revelation leads us to answer when evaluating thoughts, words and actions. څGod calls us to live in ways that promote our relationship with God and each other.
Scope and sequence
Part 3: Ethics in the real world Lesson
Core concepts
Lesson aim
Learning intentions
Lesson 9
Just War Theory
To show students that
څKnow about Just War Theory
War
provides a means
the Jesus-shaped ethic
of applying a Jesus-
(as expressed in Just War
shaped ethic to the
Theory) gives a far more
complex problem
nuanced method for
of war.
approaching the ethics of war than a rules vs
څConsider how Just War Theory affects decisions of when to go to war and how wars should be fought څHave expressed their opinions about the complexities of international conflict.
results, or rights of the individual vs the collective approach can. Lesson 10
Caring for the world
To show students how
Environmental
God created and
a Jesus-shaped ethic
ethics
promises to redeem
compels us to care for our
makes sense for
environment, even as we
those who want to
hope for a new creation
please him.
where everything will be restored.
څUnderstand the Bible’s attitude to creation څConsider the implications of a loving creator God for environmental ethics څBe challenged to live in the light of the Bible’s picture of creation being renewed.
Lesson 11
Christian support for
To show students how
Human rights
human rights stems
a Jesus-shaped ethic
human rights is closely connected to
from a belief that all
leads to the most
responsibilities and communities
humans are made
comprehensive and lasting
in the image of God,
foundation for human
the dignity this belief
rights.
affords to all people, and the obligation to
څKnow that Christian understanding of
څUnderstand that those who follow Jesus ought to be especially concerned with the interests and rights of other people څGrapple with some difficult ethical issues
love one’s neighbour.
related to rights and responsibilities څBe challenged to consider that the Christian message offers the most comprehensive and lasting foundation for human rights.
Lesson 12
Christian ethics
To show students that
Compassion
demands mercy,
a Jesus-shaped ethic
compassion and care
compels us to show
for people who are
compassion for all people.
suffering.
څKnow the Bible’s call to offer love and show compassion to those in need څUnderstand the place of compassion as a right response to the mercy offered by Jesus څBe challenged to consider the ethical response to people in need in light of a Jesus-shaped ethic.
Scope and sequence
Lesson
Core concepts
Lesson aim
Learning intentions
Lesson 13
Technology is not
To show that the questions
څTo evaluate whether technology is
Life online
an optional tool for
of what it means to be
individuals and society.
human, that is, how to
It’s all-pervasive
live the best way, how
nature impacts our
to interact with others
relationships and our
and how to understand
understanding of what
oneself, are at the heart
human flourishing is.
of our engagement with
consider the impact of technology on
Students will consider
technology.
their views of sex, their compassion,
morally neutral څTo reflect on their own views and usage of technology to consider its impact on their identity and relationships څTo apply a Jesus-shaped ethic to
how this aspect of their
appreciation of knowledge and other
life is both a God-given
practical applications.
good and a vehicle for sin and idolatry. Lesson 14
A belief in humanity
To show students that
Sanctity of life
being made in the
a Jesus-shaped ethic
Christian opposition to practices which
image of God has a
leads to a concern for all
assault the notion of the sanctity of life
profound impact on a
human life.
Christian’s assessment
څKnow the theological underpinnings for
څBegin to understand why a Jesusshaped ethic would lead to ruling out
of the practice of
abortion as a legitimate course of action
abortion and of cloning for embryonic stem
څBegin to understand why a Jesus-
cell research.
shaped ethic would lead to resisting cloning for embryonic stem cell research څBe personally challenged to consider their own ethical stance on the two issues.
Lesson 15
Ethics infiltrates all
To have students articulate
So where are
of life; it is an issue of
and evaluate their ethical
shaped ethic on their own thinking
we now?
identity and purpose.
world view and their sense
regarding ethical questions
Discerning the
of purpose and identity
best way to live is a
in light of their learning
reflection of who we
throughout the unit.
wish to be and our
څArticulate the impact of the Jesus-
څEvaluate the big picture of biblical ethics in relation to the purpose of their life څReflect on the biblical versus secular
understanding of God.
approaches to the best way for life and
We navigate life best
articulate their views.
when we consider our ethics.