Religion and Bioethics (373-0-20)
Topic
Religion and Abortion
Instructors
Ashley Helen-Louise King
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L04: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
When the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Kentucky was one of 13 states to begin enforcing a "trigger law" that effectively bans abortion. That October, three Jewish women brought a lawsuit arguing that Kentucky's ban violated their religious freedom, writing, "Jews have never believed that life begins at conception." In Missouri, an interfaith group of Christian and Jewish religious leaders filed a similar suit to block their state's abortion ban. And in Idaho and Indiana, the Satanic Temple did the same.
These lawsuits illustrate how religious views on abortion are varied and complex. Moreover, religious people's ethical reflections and medical decisions may run against the grain of official doctrine. This course examines why some religious groups have opposed abortion rights, while others have actively campaigned for them. We will also discuss how some traditions have created space for people who have abortions to receive spiritual care or participate in special rituals, such as funerary rites for aborted fetuses in Japanese Buddhism or full-body immersion (mikveh) in some forms of Judaism.
The legal challenges discussed above also highlight the fraught intersection between religious practice, medical ethics, and abortion law. This course focuses on four case studies to explore these issues: the United States, Ireland, Israel-Palestine, and Japan. Readings comprise historical and legal studies on abortion alongside anthropological, autobiographical, and artistic representations of the women, trans men, and nonbinary people who seek abortions.
Student evaluation is based on participation, short writing assignments, and a final project. Required readings will be made available on Canvas or through links printed in the syllabus.
Learning Objectives
1. Analyze the varied views on abortion in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and other religious traditions. 2. Reflect critically on the ways religious practice has influenced (and been influenced by) medical ethics and abortion law in the United States, Ireland, Israel-Palestine, and Japan.
3. Apply analytical, critical, and interpretive skills vital to the pursuit of liberal arts studies and professional development
Teaching Method
Class Materials (Required)
Required readings will be made available on Canvas or through links printed in the syllabus.
Class Attributes
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area