This semester in Junior theology the focus of the class was centered on Christian and Catholic Morality. I felt that I learned a lot during this class and what I liked most was that I was able to do research on topics that interested me. I founds three things particularly that I learned from. The resaeach paper and the Catholic position paper, both on topics of my choice, and the small goup conversations.
With the research paper I was able to learn about a topic that I always wondered about. I always knew how felt about this issue, but I had never taken the time to thoroughly compare the valid arguments of the opposing viewpoint. My reasearch paper was on Capital Punishment. With the research that I did I not only learned new reasons for my viewpoint, but I understood how the opposing side felt. I realized a lot of resonable things that the opposing side brought to the table. Not taking a particular side of the issue, but gathering information about both viewpoints, was a good idea. The Catholic Position Paper was also a good learning tool. I liked the fact that there was a solid source that identified how it felt about a certain topic. I researched the Cathlic position on Capitalism and found information that I had never thought about and very reasonable.
The small group discussions were also another good part of the class. I reallly got to learn how other classmates felt about certain issues. When we discussed our views on Just War it was interesting to see how people who agreed with me about Just War also disagreed about when war is just. I enjoyed the first hand experience of hearing an oppoing view. My favorite small group discussion was about "the accident on the highway" trial. In my small group we realized how complicated it is to sort through some moral deliemas. Throughout the entire course I really learned how to reflect upon a situation and not just react.
