Minor in Bioethics

Build an informed, Christ-centered response to life’s moral dilemmas

We live in an age of prolific scientific advancements. The dizzying pace at which researchers are developing biomedical technologies necessitates that we also have people who are asking the right questions: What are the moral costs of this research? At whose expense is it done? What does God’s Word have to say about it? And sometimes we might find that just because we have the technology to do something, doesn’t mean we should use it.

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Program Overview

This minor will give you the philosophical and legal background to critically think through how to ethically treat and serve other human beings. You'll get to take classes like Human Dignity, Bioethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Society, Christian Caregiving, and a wide selection of electives including Environmental Ethics, Religion and Law, and Research Ethics.

With six elective credits, you have the ability to tailor your minor to fit your future career in the health professions, law, psychology, or church work. Because our program expectations include elements specific to CUW, any previous credits you have are transferred on a case-by-case basis.

What to Expect

You are going to learn to challenge the status quo. Why? Because issues like human subject research, assisted reproductive technologies, and end-of-life care demand it. You’ll learn to think ethically by first studying the human person as an immortal being designed by God. Next, you'll begin to explore the meaning of ethics, today's current culture, the implications of certain technological advancements, and proper research skills in bioethics. All of these topics will be addressed in a way that affirms biblical truth, seriously answers objections, and provides relevant and practical knowledge, enabling one to act assuredly on ethical principles.

How to Apply

Undergraduate Application Steps

It’s time to help you become a Falcon! Just follow these simple steps to complete your application.

For first-time freshman:

Submit your online application
Submit the Common Application
Have your school send your official high school transcripts. Transcripts may be mailed or sent via a transcript processing service to:

Concordia University Wisconsin
Admissions Office
12800 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Mequon, WI 53097
Send your official ACT or SAT scores.

Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official. If your school does not put scores on transcripts, please contact ACT at www.act.org or College Board at www.collegeboard.org.

For transfer students:

Submit your online application
Submit the Common Application
Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

*Transfer students with less than 60 college credits completed will also submit official high school transcripts. Students who have less than 30 college credits also need to submit official ACT or SAT scores. Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official.

Minimum Requirements

A minimum GPA of a 2.5/4.0 (C average) or higher
ACT composite of 18 or above
SAT equivalent of 940 or higher for combined math and evidence-based reading and writing (for tests taken after March 2016).

*If your GPA or ACT score falls below the minimum for acceptance, your admissions counselor may ask you to retake the test or supply additional documents, such as an essay or letters of recommendation, to complete the application.

Required Academic Coursework in High School

A minimum of 16 units of high school (secondary school) work is required, of which at least 11 should be in basic liberal arts areas. Units should be distributed as follows:

English: At least three units, but four are strongly recommended.
Mathematics: Two units of college-prep math, preferably one each in Algebra and Geometry.
Natural Science: Two units, preferably one each in Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
Social Studies: Two units, preferably one each in world history and American history.
Liberal Arts: Two units of the same foreign language or additional units in one or more of the other listed subjects or in fine arts.
Other Electives: Five units from any area of academic study, but ideally from the areas listed above.
German or Latin is recommended for pre-seminary students.

Curriculum

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Required Core Courses
CCE 1030	Western Thought & Worldview This course is a Christ-centered reflection on the great conversation between the leading minds of Western philosophy. Mindful of Paul’s admonition to avoid captivity to ideas contrary to Christ, and equipped with the tools of logic and worldview analysis, students engage the great ideas of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary philosophy. Along the way, students are trained to give clear definitions, to state worthwhile theses, and to defend them with cogent arguments. There is a particular emphasis on defending the merits of a biblical understanding of the world (apologetics), living a Christian life (ethics) and the relevance of philosophy (evaluating and applying worldviews) to our many vocations. This class is part of the Common Concordia Core required for all traditional students.
REL 2010 And REL 2020 Or REL 1000
REL 2030	Biblical Theology This course is a systematic study of major areas of Christian doctrine with an emphasis on what Scripture says, as well as how Lutheran doctrine reflects what Scripture teaches. This introductory course satisfies the core curriculum requirement for Christian doctrine, and is required for students in a church-work program. Note: For registration, enrollment in a church-work program or permission of the instructor is required.
or REL 1100	Christian Faith
Required Minor Courses
HIST 2680	Rats, Lice & Mice: History of Diseases & Epidemics This course examines the global history of medicine and disease from antiquity until the 20th century. The overall theme is the biological and cultural impact of disease (especially epidemics) on society. The course focuses upon major historical infectious disease outbreaks e.g. plague, smallpox, AIDS, Ebola and examines the course of the disease, medical/health responses to the disease and the political/economic/cultural/social impacts upon the affected societies.	3
PHIL 2500	Moral Philosophy This course examines the central ethical systems of philosophy in dialogue with Christian presuppositions and with a Lutheran understanding of Law and Gospel. Participants will study classical and contemporary sources of ethical foundations in the Western tradition. Analytical methods of philosophical inquiry are explained and applied. Case studies provide occasions for fostering in-depth class discussions and application of ethical theories, principles, and tools.	3
PHIL 3500	Bioethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Society This course will study basic concepts concerning in vitro fertilization, genetic testing and therapy, stem cell research, cloning, organ transplantation, end-of-life care, human subject research, and access to health care. Students will examine how contemporary philosophers address bioethical issues. They will be enabled to articulate their perspectives and make informed decisions compatible with the Christian faith. This course is particularly suited for those in medical, biology, pre-seminary, director of church ministries, teaching, and philosophy programs. Note: It is recommended that students take CCE 1030, PHIL 2010, or PHIL 2500 before enrolling.	3
REL 2870	Christian Care Giving This course offers the student the opportunity to understand and apply the theology of the cross and the practice of the church in Christian care giving. Prerequisites: (REL 100, 1000, 201, 2010, 203 or 2020) and (REL 110, 204, 1100 or 2030).	3
or REL 3150	Christian Care-Giving for Health Professionals
Minor Electives
Select two of the following: ¹		6
PHIL 2400	Environmental Ethics This course is a grounding in the theory and practice of environmental ethics. The course studies both secular and religious principles that impact environmental care, and examines the foundations and consequence of anthropocentric, biocentric, and eco-centric approaches and “deep ecology,” in dialogue with a developed biblical concept of stewardship. The course has no prerequisites and assumes no prior exposure to philosophy.
PHIL 3250	Christian Apologetics This course is an introduction to the art of defending the truth claims of the Christian faith. Students learn the biblical warrant for apologetics, the merits of rival methodologies, and study philosophical, scientific, and historical evidences. They are equipped to respond to the skeptical challenges of atheism and the contrary claims of rival religions.
PHIL 3700	Philosophy of Mind This course is an in-depth exploration of the character of mind and of the relationship between the mind and the physical world. Students learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of materialist, dualist, and neutral theories, and to see how they arise from and influence foundational worldviews. Pre-requisite: at least one other philosophy class or enrollment in the minor or major in psychology, or permission of instructor.
REL 3140	Christian Ethics This course explores the distinct nature of Christian ethics in dialogue with other forms of ethical inquiries. Contemporary Christian responses to timely ethical issues (including medical topics) will also be explored. Prerequisites: (REL 100, 159, 1000, 1590, 201, 2010, 203 or 2020) and (REL 110, 204, 1100 or 2030).
REL 2980	Faith and Culture This course explores the role of religion in defining our way of life and self-understanding and how culture, in turn, may shape spirituality. Major world views and their influence on the faith experience will be analyzed. Special attention will be given to Christianity in the interrelationship of faith and culture. Prerequisites: (REL 100, 1000, 201, 2010, 203 or 2020) and (REL 110, 204, 1100 or 2030).
HIST 2220	The City & American Culture This course examines the history of cities in the United States, their portrayal in American culture, and their effects on society and social policy. Students will study the central role cities have played in American society and culture from the Industrial Revolution to the Progressive Era and into the age of suburban sprawl and post-industrialism. Finally, students practice the methods of cultural history and sociology to examine how Americans have thought about cities and their role in the nation.
HIST 2600	History of Food This course will examine the history of food, beginning with the Neolithic revolution that gave rise to the agriculture and animal domestication and ending with the quandaries over diet that plague modern society. The course will highlight food economically, socially and culturally, looking at how different societies have procured sustenance, and how they have attached different meanings to what they consume.
HIST 3220	Indus America:1865-1920 This course explores the development of the United States from an agrarian to an industrial nation and from a hemispheric to a world power.
Total Hours		18

¹: The two electives may not carry the same prefix.

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