Spiritual Ecology

Catalog description

Concerns about climate change, resource depletion, species extinction, genetic engineering and biodiversity have intensified in recent years. This course will examine the historical and contemporary attitudes and actions of spiritual traditions in responding to the societal impacts of environmental concerns. We will investigate four worldviews in particular: indigenous traditions, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism, and also consider how these traditions interact with public policy debates and their position on social justice and environmental issues. This course will consider ethical and moral approaches, philosophical principles and social movements to provide tools for dialogue and critical thinking around ecological challenges. This course will also address climate grief and anxiety and introduce ways of working with overwhelm through earth-based practices and eco-therapy