Christianity & Ecology: Exploring Faith's Role
Discover how Christianity addresses ecological issues in this Yale course on religious environmental engagement.
Discover how Christianity addresses ecological issues in this Yale course on religious environmental engagement.
Delve into the rich ecological dimensions of Christianity in this comprehensive course from Yale University. Led by experts Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, this course explores how different Christian traditions view and relate to the natural world. You'll examine key concepts like creation, incarnation, and sacraments, and how they connect to modern ecological challenges. The course covers Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant approaches to environmental care, including influential figures and movements. From Pope Francis's encyclical on climate change to grassroots Christian environmental justice initiatives, you'll gain a deep understanding of Christianity's evolving role in addressing global environmental issues. Ideal for those interested in religion, ecology, or seeking to understand faith-based approaches to sustainability.
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What you'll learn
Understand the emergence of ecotheology and its significance in Christianity
Explore diverse Christian perspectives on nature and environmental stewardship
Analyze key Christian concepts (creation, incarnation, sacraments) in relation to ecology
Examine influential Christian figures and movements in environmental thought
Study major Christian documents and initiatives addressing ecological issues
Investigate the intersection of Christianity with environmental justice
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
1.5 Hours PreRecorded video
8 assignments
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There are 10 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Christianity's engagement with ecological issues. It begins by introducing the field of religion and ecology, focusing on Christian perspectives. The curriculum covers key theological concepts like creation, incarnation, and sacraments, and their relevance to environmental concerns. It examines diverse Christian traditions, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant approaches to ecology. The course delves into influential figures and movements in Christian environmentalism, from historical theologians to contemporary eco-justice advocates. Topics include Pope Francis's encyclical on climate change, Orthodox views on nature as a sacred icon, and Protestant initiatives in creation care. The course also addresses critical issues such as environmental justice, climate change, biodiversity, and the relationship between Christianity and modern cosmology. Throughout, students will explore how Christian teachings and practices are evolving to address global ecological challenges.
Course Introduction
Module 1 · 46 Minutes to complete
Introduction to Religion and Ecology
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
Overview of Christianity and Ecological Responses
Module 3 · 3 Hours to complete
Sacramental Christianity: Earth as Sacred Icon
Module 4 · 2 Hours to complete
Embodied Christianity: Ecotheology in Practice
Module 6 · 2 Hours to complete
Integral Liberation: Christian Ecojustice Engagement
Module 7 · 2 Hours to complete
Food, Animals, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
Module 8 · 2 Hours to complete
Christianity and Cosmology
Module 9 · 2 Hours to complete
Course Conclusion
Module 10 · 6 Minutes to complete
Fee Structure
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Instructors
Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar
John Grim is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University, with appointments in the School of the Environment, Divinity School, and Department of Religious Studies. He co-directs the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology with his wife, Mary Evelyn Tucker. Together, they directed a major project on World Religions and Ecology at Harvard and co-authored several influential works, including *Ecology and Religion* (2014) and *Thomas Berry: A Biography* (2019). Grim teaches courses on Native American and Indigenous religions, world religions, and ecology, and co-produced the Emmy-winning film *Journey of the Universe*.
Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar
Mary Evelyn Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University, affiliated with the School of the Environment, the Divinity School, and the Department of Religious Studies. She teaches in the Master's program in religion and ecology and co-directs the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology with her husband, John Grim. Tucker holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University in Asian Religions, particularly Japanese Confucianism, and has been a Research Associate at Harvard's Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies since 1997.Her work focuses on the intersection of religion and environmental issues, leading her to organize a series of ten conferences on World Religions and Ecology at Harvard from 1995 to 1998. Tucker has co-edited several influential volumes on ecological perspectives within major world religions and has authored numerous articles on social and environmental determinants of health. She is also known for her multimedia project "Journey of the Universe," which includes an Emmy award-winning film and educational resources aimed at fostering ecological awareness
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