010181 SE Global Debates in Comparative Theological Bioethics (2025W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Tu 02.09.2025 10:00 to Th 25.09.2025 10:00
- Deregistration possible until We 15.10.2025 23:59
Details
max. 30 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Wednesday 08.10. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
- Wednesday 22.10. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
- Wednesday 05.11. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
- Wednesday 03.12. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
- N Wednesday 17.12. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
- Wednesday 14.01. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
- Wednesday 28.01. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum 2 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
The course intensifies contemporary global debates in comparative theological bioethics. Numerous contemporary diseases pose huge challenges to global health in majorly two categories as either infectious diseases (IDs) or noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). For NCDs, the course majorly focuses on the theological bioethics of cancer, while for IDs, it majorly pays attention to HIV/AIDS in its discussion of comparative theological bioethics. Strengthening theological bioethics’ emphasis of the role of normative ethics is freshly strengthened with a renewed approach of virtues. The course helps students to combine normative ethics with global comparative methods in theological bioethics that ethically orient the human person towards living virtuously, an approach that can play a crucial role in numerous bioethical concerns as well as lessening various structural problems like Organ Transplant Tourism (OTT).
Assessment and permitted materials
Regular active attendance with a reflective position paper to be written at the end of the semester with approximately 30,000 characters (min. 10 – max. 15 pages). Active participation includes mandatory attendance of at least 80% of the sessions. For the assessment of exam components, see “Type of performance assessment and permitted aids” and “Minimum requirements and assessment criteria”.
• Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät, KI in der Lehre. URL: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Im_Studium/Leitlinien_KI_der_KTF_Endfassung.pdf [Accessed 07.08.2025].
• Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät, Leitlinien für wissenschaftliche Arbeiten. URL: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Studienabschluss_HP_neu/Zitierrichtlinien.pdf [Accessed 07.08.2025].
• Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät, KI in der Lehre. URL: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Im_Studium/Leitlinien_KI_der_KTF_Endfassung.pdf [Accessed 07.08.2025].
• Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät, Leitlinien für wissenschaftliche Arbeiten. URL: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Studienabschluss_HP_neu/Zitierrichtlinien.pdf [Accessed 07.08.2025].
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
The main method of evaluating the understanding of students, and retention of material will be through assignments, which may be cumulatively graded or not. Grades will be solely based on each one’s cumulative efforts.
In the written reflective paper, it must be proven that the basic concepts in theological bioethics have been clearly understood and can be systematically expounded.
In the reflective paper, the central ethical issues of the course must be reflectively and critically discussed along the chosen theme with me against the background of the current theological-bioethical question posed.
Generally, in all assignments, students must be able to interpret classic and modern texts in theological bioethics against contemporary debates. The minimum requirement is a positive overall assessment.
Assignments will be graded on a descending scale of 1-5 (1=very good; 5=unsatisfactory). Sehr gut (1), Gut (2), Befriedigend (3), Genügend (4), und Nicht genügend (5).
In the written reflective paper, it must be proven that the basic concepts in theological bioethics have been clearly understood and can be systematically expounded.
In the reflective paper, the central ethical issues of the course must be reflectively and critically discussed along the chosen theme with me against the background of the current theological-bioethical question posed.
Generally, in all assignments, students must be able to interpret classic and modern texts in theological bioethics against contemporary debates. The minimum requirement is a positive overall assessment.
Assignments will be graded on a descending scale of 1-5 (1=very good; 5=unsatisfactory). Sehr gut (1), Gut (2), Befriedigend (3), Genügend (4), und Nicht genügend (5).
Examination topics
The assignments cover the required literature and the discussed material throughout the semester sessions in its eventual application to contemporary debates in theological ethics. In writing a paper, it must be a personal reflective engagement with the contemporary debates in theological bioethics. If AI is used in preparation of the paper, the totality of steps must be stated in addition to the text, mentioning all AI prompts and commands used without exceeding 5%. Otherwise, AI detection tools might classify AI-generated paper content as plagiarism.
Reading list
Elementary knowledge of ethics or theological ethics is a prerequisite for fully profiting from this course. For basic initiation, kindly read:
• KEENAN, James, A History of Catholic Theological Ethics, 1st ed., New York 2022. Library online access.
Required Readings
ETHICS AND THEOLOGICAL BIOETHICS
• BEAUCHAMP L. Tom - CHILDRESS F. James, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 8th ed., Oxford 2019. Available in library.
• Cahill, Lisa Sowle, Theological Bioethics: Participation, Justice, and Change, Washington D.C. 2005. Available in library.
• CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH, Dignitas personae (2008). URL: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_200812 08_dignitaspersonae_en.html [Accessed: 1. August 2025] Open Access.
• CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH, Donum vitae (1987). URL:
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_198702 22_respect-for-humanlife_en.html [Accessed: 1. August 2025] Open Access.
• MARSCHÜTZ, Gerhard, theologisch ethisch nachdenken. Bd.2: Handlungsfelder, Würzburg 2016 (2. komplett überarbeitete und aktualisierte Auflage).
HIV/AIDs
• AZÉTSOP, Jacquineau, Structural Violence, Population Health and Health Equity: Preferential Option for the Poor and the Bioethics of Health Equity in sub-Saharan Africa, Saarbrücken 2010. 88€ Amazon.
• OROBATOR, E. Agbonkhianmeghe, From Crisis to Kairos: The Mission of the Church in the Time of HIV/AIDS–Refugees and Poverty, Nairobi 2005.
• LAURITZEN, Paul, Technology and Wholeness: Oncofertility and Catholic Tradition, in: Cancer Treatment Research 156 (2010) 295–306 [doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-6518-9_23]. Online access.
• WOODRUFF K. Teresa - SNYDER Ann Karrie (eds.), Oncofertility: Fertility Preservation for Cancer Survivors (Cancer Treatment and Research, Band 138), New York 2016. 83€ Amazon.
ORGAN TRANSPLANT TOURISM
• INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON TRANSPLANT TOURISM AND ORGAN TRAFFICKING, The Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, in: The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 5(2008) 1227-1231. Online Library Open Access.
• THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, Summit on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, Casina Pio IV, Vatican City 30 (2017) 1-12. Online Library Open Access.
• UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Uganda,1-43. URL: https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/415610_UGANDA-2022-HUMAN-RIGHTSREPORT.pdf [Accessed: 3. August 2025]. Open Access.
• UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Trafficking in Persons Report, 2021, 1-638. URL: https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2021/09/TIPR-GPA-upload-07222021.pdf [Accessed: 3. August 2025]. Open Access.CRITIQUE AND FUTURE OF GLOBAL THEOLOGICAL BIOETHICS: VIRTUOS LIVING
• ABRAM, Anna (ed.), The future of Catholic theological ethics, Basel – Beijing – Wuhan – Barcelona – Belgrade 2018 [ https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03842-772-8]. Free online access.
• BRETZKE, T. James, A morally complex world: engaging contemporary moral theology, Collegeville [Minnessota] 2004. Available online.
• BUYONDO, Jude Thaddaeus, The Critique of Bioethical Principlism in Contrast to an African Approach to Bioethics, Eugene [Oregon] 2024. Available in G. W. Hunold library (Institute Systematic Theology and Ethics).
• HOGAN, Linda (ed.), Applied Ethics in a World Church: The Padua Conference, Maryknoll, New York 2008. Library online access.
• KEENAN, James, A History of Catholic Theological Ethics, 1st ed., New York 2022. Library online access.
• KEENAN, James (ed.), Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church. The plenary papers from the first cross-cultural Conference on Catholic Theological Ethics, New York – London 2007.
• SELLING, Joseph A., Reframing Catholic Theological Ethics, 1st ed., Oxford 2016 https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198767121.001.0001]. Available online.
• KEENAN, James, A History of Catholic Theological Ethics, 1st ed., New York 2022. Library online access.
Required Readings
ETHICS AND THEOLOGICAL BIOETHICS
• BEAUCHAMP L. Tom - CHILDRESS F. James, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 8th ed., Oxford 2019. Available in library.
• Cahill, Lisa Sowle, Theological Bioethics: Participation, Justice, and Change, Washington D.C. 2005. Available in library.
• CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH, Dignitas personae (2008). URL: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_200812 08_dignitaspersonae_en.html [Accessed: 1. August 2025] Open Access.
• CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH, Donum vitae (1987). URL:
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_198702 22_respect-for-humanlife_en.html [Accessed: 1. August 2025] Open Access.
• MARSCHÜTZ, Gerhard, theologisch ethisch nachdenken. Bd.2: Handlungsfelder, Würzburg 2016 (2. komplett überarbeitete und aktualisierte Auflage).
HIV/AIDs
• AZÉTSOP, Jacquineau, Structural Violence, Population Health and Health Equity: Preferential Option for the Poor and the Bioethics of Health Equity in sub-Saharan Africa, Saarbrücken 2010. 88€ Amazon.
• OROBATOR, E. Agbonkhianmeghe, From Crisis to Kairos: The Mission of the Church in the Time of HIV/AIDS–Refugees and Poverty, Nairobi 2005.
• LAURITZEN, Paul, Technology and Wholeness: Oncofertility and Catholic Tradition, in: Cancer Treatment Research 156 (2010) 295–306 [doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-6518-9_23]. Online access.
• WOODRUFF K. Teresa - SNYDER Ann Karrie (eds.), Oncofertility: Fertility Preservation for Cancer Survivors (Cancer Treatment and Research, Band 138), New York 2016. 83€ Amazon.
ORGAN TRANSPLANT TOURISM
• INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON TRANSPLANT TOURISM AND ORGAN TRAFFICKING, The Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, in: The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 5(2008) 1227-1231. Online Library Open Access.
• THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, Summit on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, Casina Pio IV, Vatican City 30 (2017) 1-12. Online Library Open Access.
• UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Uganda,1-43. URL: https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/415610_UGANDA-2022-HUMAN-RIGHTSREPORT.pdf [Accessed: 3. August 2025]. Open Access.
• UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Trafficking in Persons Report, 2021, 1-638. URL: https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2021/09/TIPR-GPA-upload-07222021.pdf [Accessed: 3. August 2025]. Open Access.CRITIQUE AND FUTURE OF GLOBAL THEOLOGICAL BIOETHICS: VIRTUOS LIVING
• ABRAM, Anna (ed.), The future of Catholic theological ethics, Basel – Beijing – Wuhan – Barcelona – Belgrade 2018 [ https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03842-772-8]. Free online access.
• BRETZKE, T. James, A morally complex world: engaging contemporary moral theology, Collegeville [Minnessota] 2004. Available online.
• BUYONDO, Jude Thaddaeus, The Critique of Bioethical Principlism in Contrast to an African Approach to Bioethics, Eugene [Oregon] 2024. Available in G. W. Hunold library (Institute Systematic Theology and Ethics).
• HOGAN, Linda (ed.), Applied Ethics in a World Church: The Padua Conference, Maryknoll, New York 2008. Library online access.
• KEENAN, James, A History of Catholic Theological Ethics, 1st ed., New York 2022. Library online access.
• KEENAN, James (ed.), Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church. The plenary papers from the first cross-cultural Conference on Catholic Theological Ethics, New York – London 2007.
• SELLING, Joseph A., Reframing Catholic Theological Ethics, 1st ed., Oxford 2016 https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198767121.001.0001]. Available online.
Association in the course directory
für 011 (15W) FTH 17 oder FTH 25 oder FTH 26, 198 418 BA UF RK 16, 199 518 MA UF RK 02 oder RK 05, 033 195 (17W) BRP 18krp, BRP 18ktb, 795 [2] M3, M4, M5
Last modified: We 24.09.2025 16:25