This course will focus on the moral teachings of the Bible, conscience formation,processes used for moral decision-making, and bioethics. Issues will be analyzed inthe light of current debate and the teachings of the Church. Catholic and biblicalteaching as a counter-cultural force is examined. Topics will include beginning of lifeissues such as fertilization, abortion, surrogacy, and cloning. End of life issues such assuicide, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, hospice, and living wills will beexamined. Death and dying, as well as grief instruction, will also be presented. Moralityin the business world and in technology will also be covered.Students will understand the Church’s teaching on Social Justice issues, includingtheir sources rooted in the Old and New Testament plus Papal and Episcopaldocuments. This first-semester course will call students to discern discrepancies,where they exist, between social realities and Gospel values, and to develop strategiesto make Gospel values operative. The students will develop a foundation for a socialjustice consciousness and learn how the Church addresses current social justiceissues of our time.We will also will focus on specific justice issues including the ethics of life, racism,poverty, environmental concerns, and the challenge of peace. An appreciation fordiversity through culture, tradition, and other world religions will be explored.