Content

Climate change is a religious issue that goes to the heart of who we are and how we are to live on God's earth. In this unit we look at matters of climate and ecology and we ask what they have to say to Christian theology and practice. We explore rich ecological writings within the Christian tradition. We draw on ancient and contemporary thought to articulate Christian faith in the face of climate catastrophe. Our approach is interdisciplinary. We bring into dialogue contemporary ecological issues, ecological philosophy and principles, and Christian texts including Scripture, historical writings and contemporary ecotheology. We explore issues such as human-centredness and bio-centredness, social justice and ecological justice, animal ethics, new materialism, spirituality, hope and action. We are equipped to discern and communicate a meaningful theology for a changing climate.

Unit code: CT9040P

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an understanding of key features of climate change and the relationship between climate change and other key ecological issues

2.

Appraise key ecological principles and philosophies relevant to the present ecological context

3.

Critically evaluate the primary compatibilities and challenges of an ecological ethos in relation to Christian understanding and practice

4.

Critique Christian text, belief and practice in light of ecological theology

5.

Synthesise resources for the communication of ecologically-informed theology

Unit sequence

18 points in systematic theology.

Pedagogy

Student-focused interactive lectures, seminars, and workshops

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Ecology: Rediscovering the Community of Creation. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 2010.
  • Camilleri, Joseph and Deborah Guess, eds. Towards a Just and Ecologically Sustainable Peace: Navigating the Great Transition. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.
  • Conradie, Ernst M., Sigurd Bergmann, Celia Deane-Drummond and Denis Edwards, eds. Christian Faith and the Earth: Current Paths and Emerging Horizons in Ecotheology. London: Bloomsbury, 2014.
  • Elvey, Anne. Reading with Earth: Contributions of the New Materialism to an Ecological Feminist Hermeneutics. London: T&T Clark, 2022 (forthcoming).
  • Gardiner, Stephen M. A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
  • Habel, Norman C., ed. Earth Bible Commentary Series (various authors and titles). London: Bloomsbury: 2020-.
  • Johnson, Elizabeth A. Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love. London: Bloomsbury, 2014.
  • McFague, Sallie. A New Climate for Theology: God, the World and Global Warming. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008.
  • Northcott, Michael S. and Peter M. Scott. Systematic Theology and Climate Change: Ecumenical Perspectives. London: Routledge, 2014.
  • Santmire, H. Paul. Before Nature: A Christian Spirituality. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Poster

Create a poster (digital or paper) of key ecological issues and their relationship to climate change.

1000 20.0
Report

Report addressing the compatibilities and challenges of an ecological ethos in relation to Christian understanding and practice in a particular context

1500 25.0
Source Analysis

Analysis of a set source in the light of ecological theology

1500 25.0
Learning Resource

Building on the source analysis and associated feedback, create a Liturgical Resource or Study Guide that communicates ecologically-informed theology to a non-specialist audience

3000 30.0

Variant 2

Concept map/mind map

Create a concept map (digital or paper) of key ecological issues and their relationship to climate change.

900 15.0
Oral Presentation

Oral Presentation that communicates ecologically-informed theology to a non-specialist audience

900 15.0
Essay

Essay on issues and texts in ecotheology

3000 50.0
Personal Reflection

Personal reflection on issues linked to the challenges of an ecological ethos in relation to Christian understanding and practice

1200 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 24 Aug, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-08-24 15:21:36 +1000