Syllabus for "Jesus and the Pursuit of Morality"
Overview
This is a sample syllabus for a moral reasoning course that will explore the historical life of Jesus of Nazareth, analyzing his role, influence, and teachings. We will look at examples of his impact on the lives of other famous historical figures and consider how his moral philosophy can apply to our contemporary life.
The course is designed for students of all traditions, backgrounds, and lifestyles. All faith views will be invited and encouraged to share in civil interfaith dialogue.
Sample Syllabus for a Course about the Moral Philosophy of Jesus
This syllabus is an example of a sample course for a Moral Reasoning requirement for a university or high school curriculum. It dives into the life of Jesus, highlighting the importance of objective discussion and open-minded examination of his teachings. Jesus is a significant historical figure, so studying his moral philosophy and having a decent grasp of things he was documented to have said and did is essential for moral education.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to understand the documented life of Jesus and describe his place and significance in history. (Who was Jesus?)
Students will be able to analyze and interpret the teachings of Jesus. (What did he say? What does it mean?)
Students will be able to discuss Jesus’ moral philosophy and formulate questions about how to relate it to contemporary life. (How do his teachings continue to impact life? What did he say about the contemporary issues we face daily, to include anxiety, relational conflicts, and handling money?)
Students will be able to judge which aspects of Jesus’ moral philosophy individual students will choose to accept as they develop their own moral philosophy and consider how to practically apply these precepts. (How can his moral philosophy influence my decisions?)
Themes will include - love/compassion, anxiety/peace, hope, forgiveness, joy, relationships, conflict, morality, money.
I hope this is helpful for you!