THEO 340 - Health, Religion & Ethics

3 Credit Hours
The course explores the intersections of religion, spirituality, and healthcare through reflecting on diverse religious perspectives on how Ultimate Reality/God is connected to human suffering, injustices and our responsibility to care for creation and those who are suffering in the world. The course is rooted in the Jesuit vision (GC 34, Decree 12) for practicing theology in an ecumenical, interreligious, and global context and is committed to form students in this broadly open, dialogical and compassionate perspective. It will introduce students to the principles of Ignatian discernment and the formation of reflective self-knowledge. Building on this foundation, we will proceed to examine diverse understandings of the Sacred, the meaning of life, the challenges of evil, suffering, death, and life after death in a manner particularly relevant for those preparing to work in healthcare fields. The course will explore Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist traditions to equip students with a deeper understanding of their own spirituality and the spiritualities of those they will care for as healthcare professionals. Students will be empowered to apply their interfaith competence in their professional activities to honor the dignity of all human persons regardless of their creed, race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and ability. The course will also facilitate the development of students’ own practices of self-care that are shaped by spiritual literacy to promote resilience and work-life balance in their chosen professions.

Course Attributes: Diversity Flag, ERS Focus Elective, Humanities Elective, Theology Perspectives, Theology - Persp on God & Hum, Theology - Spirituality

Levels: Graduate Undergraduate

College of Arts & Sciences Theology