The good the bad and the ethical 2021 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

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.