January 2016. Health and medicine lie at the intersection of thea/ologies, morals, and our bodies. This course draws from theological, philosophical, and sociological perspectives to examine the foundations of bioethics and the complexities of health, illness and health care. Through analyzing ethical principles, moral questions and clinical cases, the course will address key issues in bioethics, such as death and dying, access to health care, medical research, reproductive justice, and social movements for health. Special attention will be paid to cutting edge discussions of social determinants of health and the perspectives of historically marginalized communities. Through this interactive course that maximizes the use of exciting web and multimedia resources, religious leaders and scholars will equip themselves with the biopolitical knowledge and skills to reflect on the sacred–and the controversial–with their faith communities.

A live, in-person or web-based, seminar, in which we:

• center the perspectives of historically marginalized people;
• disrupt the boundaries of ethics and ministry;
• redefine and define again the multiple terms of “life or death” issues;
• build supportive community of religious leaders concerned about health, illness, and bodies
• connect bioethics to public ministry, social movements for health, and what we value

This course is offered through Starr King School for the Ministry, a member school of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.