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
Show when this unit is running| 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 |
18 points in systematic theology.
Student-focused interactive lectures, seminars, and workshops
| 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 | |||||
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