| TO CARE FOR THE EARTH: ETHICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Catholic Theological Union, Dawn Nothwehr, Spring 2006 |
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E-4400 TO CARE FOR THE EARTH: ETHICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Professor: Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, Ph.D. E - Mail:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: “The foundational moral experience is reverence for the human person, and her/his environment.” For centuries, Christian moralists have focused almost exclusively on the first part of this statement— “ the person”. The current environmental crisis extending from the later 20 th Century to the present raises numerous challenges to that focus and other traditional approaches to Christian Ethics. This course will focus on the appropriate kind of reverence that Christians, who would be moral, need to give to the environment and the sort of behaviors that need to follow from that reverence. Since profound wonder is at the heart of reverence, the course begins by reviewing what various disciplines--ecology, astrophysics, quantum physics, geology, etc.--tell us about the Earth in all of its magnificent complexity. This wonder is jarred by the stark reality of the “ state of the Earth. ” Later in the course, we explore various approaches to environmental ethics and begin to see the cause and effect relationship the proponents of these various methods hold as the trigger for the current environmental crisis. From an ecumenical perspective, Christian and Jewish sources will be reviewed for the moral wisdom they offer to Christians today. Special attention will be given to the various statements on the environment published by Roman Catholic magisterial bodies from around the globe and the Franciscan tradition. Finally, through interactive computer programs that provide the student with a basic “ environmental science literacy, ” we will place these sources of moral wisdom in dialogue with wisdom drawn from other disciplines and draw some conclusions: What kind of perceptual and attitudinal changes must we make regarding the environment? What changes must we make in our consumption patterns and lifestyle? How can we reconcile those elements of the Christian tradition that have seemingly contributed to the assault upon the earth? What forms of Christian spirituality assist in the formation of a moral life fitting for reverence of the environment? How must we rethink our relation to the Earth the human community, and future generations if we are not to destroy ourselves and our planet?
FORMAT: The course will be a blend of lecture, small group study, and discussion. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Paper MA Students need to be explicit about and focus on the advantages/disadvantages, strengths & weaknesses of the ethical method used to arrive at a potential resolution to the problem posed in the paper. [MA 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3] M. Div. and MAPS Students need to focus on a pastoral plan to move the conclusions of the paper from teaching to action in a parish setting. [M.Div. 2.1-2.6; MAPS 2.1, 2.2] REQUIRED TEXTS: Dawn M. Nothwehr, ed. Franciscan Theology of the Environment: An Introductory Reader . Quincy, IL: Franciscan Press, 2003. David Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2001. Required readings be found on MOODLE. The CTU Library Computer Lab interactive program: RECOMMENDED TEXTS: Carol J. Dempsey & Mary Margaret Pazdan, Eds. Earth, Wind, and Fire: Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Creation. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2004. Frank B. Golley. A Primer for Environmental Literacy. Yale University Press, 1998. Program Outcomes: MDiv –2. Knows and articulates the Roman Catholic tradition and applies it accurately, proficiently, sensitively, and faithfully 2.1 Interprets the Roman Catholic tradition in a faithful, historically critical and culturally sensitive manner 2.2 Analyzes and interprets the Bible for believing communities 2.3 Analyzes various kinds of texts, themes issues, and methods in a judicious and reflective manner 2.4 Communicates the Roman Catholic tradition in written and oral forms 2.5 Engages the moral and social implications of the Roman Catholic tradition 2.6 Probes the Roman Catholic tradition as a living faith ever relevant to new situations MAPS – 2. In the area of articulating the Roman Catholic tradition: 2.1 Interprets the Roman Catholic tradition in a faithful, historically critical and culturally sensitive manner 2.2 Analyzes and interprets the Bible for believing communities MA - 1.The graduate of the Master of Arts program: 1.4 Demonstrates proficiency on engaging in academic study and research 1.5 Knows the content of particular areas of the Catholic tradition appropriate to the Master’s level 1.6 Demonstrates familiarity with contemporary issues in Christian living today 1.7 Recognizes and critiques the strengths and weaknesses in diverse schools of theology 1.9 Profits from and utilizes a variety of theological and cultural perspectives 2.2 (Research) Demonstrates knowledge of a variety of theological methods used in intentional ways Grading of Formal Written WorkA- 93-96 very good B+ 89-92 good B 85-88 solid B- 81-84 adequate C+ 77-80 sufficient C 73- 76 borderline D 70- 72 poor F 69 or below failure The "A" range: The "B" range : The "C" range: Any form of plagiarism will result in an "F" grade for the course. See the CTU Writing Manual.
INCOMPLETES Prior to the last class (May10 th) she or he needs to obtain a Petition for Extension form from the Registrar and bring that form to the Professor and obtain her signature. Please do not assume that the professor will automatically sign the form. If you do not complete the work of the course and do not file the proper form, you will be given a Permanent Incomplete (PI) for the course. SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS FEBRUARY Monday – 6 Introduction Overview of Course & Syllabus IN CLASS: Introduction to the CTU Computer Lab and working with: Conserving the Earth’s Biodiversity- with E. O .Wilson and the text Barry W. Barker, Environmental Studies: Concepts, Connections & Controversies. IN CLASS : B.Swimme, The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos, Part I, “ The Generosity of the Sun. ” E. Johnson, “Turn to the Heavens,” 53-69. Barker – Chapt 1 Environmental Ethics & Chapt 2 Social Ecology BioCD> Introduction > Welcome BioCD> Introduction > Using this program BioCD> Social Issues > Introduction BioCD> Social Issues > Human Cultures BioCD> Social Issues > Legal Measures Work through the “EXPLORATIONS” questions in the assigned sections. Write a brief answer to each of the questions and turn in your responses. [See the Exploration Questions Table of Contents at the end of this syllabus] Wednesday – 8 BIBLICAL VISION OF CREATION Write and BRING TO CLASS today: Using your experiences of relationship with the Earth, along with insights from other sources of learning, write a 3-page reflection in which you trace your attitudes, values, perceptions, behavior, and lifestyle - starting with your earliest awareness of the environment to the present. Response to these two fundamental questions: How ought a Christian to be in relationship to the Earth? What ought a Christian to do in relationship to the Earth? How consistent is your “doing” with what you know you “ought” to do? Why? Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Chapt. 1 Does God Care About Whales? Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Hayes, A New Reading of the Sources, 9-21. Kay, Concepts of Nature in the Hebrew Bible, 23-42. A. Laffey, “The Priestly Creation Narrative: Goodness and Interdependence,” 24-24. Monday –13 BIBLICAL VISION OF CREATION Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Chapt. 2 Nature Symbolic of Promise Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Bratton, Christian Ecotheology and the Hebrew Scriptures, 47-62. Karris, Colossians 1:15-20 - Christ Jesus as Cosmic Lord and Peacemaker, 67-91. B. Bowe, “Soundings in the New Testament Understanding of Creation,” 52-66. IN CLASS: B. Swimme, The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos, Part II, “Birthplace of the Universe” Wednesday – 15 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 4 Mapping the Environment & Chapt 5 Energy & Life BioCD> Global Biodiversity > Introduction BioCD> Global Biodiversity > Global Patterns BioCD> Global Biodiversity > Explaining Distribution Patterns BioCD> Biodiversity Over Time > Introduction BioCD> Biodiversity Over Time > History of Life Monday –20 THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC MATERIALISM Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Chapt. 3 Imperial Ecology and the Death of Nature Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Short, “The Franciscan Spirit,” 111-127. Dreyer, ’[God] Whose Beauty the Sun and Moon Admire ’ :Clare & Ecology, 129-139. S. McGinn, “All Creation Groans in Labor: Paul’s Theology of Creation in Rom 8: 18-23,” 114-123. IN CLASS : B. Swimme, The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos, Part III, “The All-Nourishing Abyss” Wednesday – 22 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 11 War and Terrorism & Chapt 13 Land Use BioCD> Social Issues > Land Use Monday –27 THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC MATERIALISM Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Chapt 4 The Competitive Ethos Triumphant Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Doyle, The Canticle of Brother Sun & the Value of Creation, 155-72. Nairn, Francis of Assisi ’ s Canticle of the Creatures as an Exercise of the Moral Imagination,175-84. MARCH Wednesday – 1 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 6 Biodiversity BioCD> Introduction > What is biodiversity? BioCD> Diversity of Life > Introduction BioCD> Diversity of Life > Number of Species BioCD> Diversity of Life > Tree of Life BioCD> Biodiversity Over Time > New Biodiversity BioCD> Biodiversity Over Time > Lost Biodiversity BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Introduction BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Habitat Loss BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Fragmentation BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Exotic Species BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Over-hunting BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Interacting Species Work through the “EXPLORATIONS” questions in the assigned sections. Write a brief answer to each of the questions and turn in your responses. [See the Exploration Questions Table of Contents at the end of this syllabus] Monday – 6 STATE OF THE EARTH Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Ch. 5 Is There an Environmental Crisis? Ch. 6 Pushing the Limits Ch. 7 The Dynamics of Unsustainability B. Reid, “Sabbath, the Crown of Creation, 67-76. IN CLASS: “From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brother’s Warning” Wednesday – 8 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENT – CLASS MEETS TODAY in Peer Learning Groups Read Golley, Chapts 14-18 in A Primer For Environmental Literacy (on MOODLE) and prepare assigned questions. After the class discussion, take one concept or insight that you gleaned from this material and write a 1-2 page theological reflection on that topic. [See CTU Writing Manual] Barker – Chapt 7 Populations and Food Supplies BioCD> Social Issues > Populations BioCD> Conservation Practice > Small Populations BioCD> Social Issues > Populations and Resources Monday –13 Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Hayes, An Excerpt from Bonaventure: Mystery of the Triune God, 201-246. Hayes, The Cosmos: A Symbol of the Divine, 249-266. Hoebing, St. Bonaventure & Ecology, 269-280. 34 Scientists, “Open Letter to the Religious Community,” {and response}, ii-xv. D. Nothwehr, “Tree of Life,” 1-3 G. Murphy, “Yggdrosil, the Cross, and the Christmas Tree,” 16-20. Wednesday – 15 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 8 Natural Resources in the Environment BioCD> Introduction > Reasons for Conservation BioCD> Conservation > Introduction BioCD> Conservation > Reserve Design BioCD> Conservation > Restoration and Management BioCD> Conservation > Conservation Theory Monday –20 THE NEW COSMOLOGY Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Ch. 8 Evolution and Theological Repair, 132-155. Ch. 9 A Physics of Promise, 156-177. Ch.10 The Voice of the Hurricane, 178-191. C. Dempsey, “Creation, Evolution, Revelation, & Redemption: Connections & Intersections, 1-23. S. Rayan, “The Earth is the Lord’s,” 130-148. IN CLASS: “The Earth is the Lord’s” Wednesday – 22 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 9 Pollution & Chapt 10 Human Health and the Environment BioCD> Threats to Biodiversity > Environmental Degradation Monday –27 Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Osborne, Incarnation, Individuality, and Diversity, 295-303. Mulhulland, Christ: The Haecceitas of God, 305-312. Short, ‘Pied Beauty’: Gerard Manley Hopkins and the Scotistic View of Nature, 313-322. Ingham, “A Certain Affection for Justice, 325-332. Wednesday – 29 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 12 Economics and the Environment & Chapt 14 Sustainability and Globalization BioCD> Social Issues > Economics BioCD> Social Issues > Priorities and Funding T. Wiley, “Creation Restored, God’s Basileia, the Social Economy and Human Good,” 77-102. C. Jordan, “Is God a Free-Market Capitalist?” 179-197. W. Jackson, “Nature as the Measure of Sustainable Agriculture,” 43-58. APRIL Monday – 3 EARTH ETHICS: DOING JUSTICE TO CREATION Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos- Ch. 11 The Fallout for Spirituality, 195-219. Ch. 12 Citizens of the Earth, 220- 240. M. Hilkert, “Creation in the Image of God and Wisdom Christology,” 147-163. D. Nothwehr, “”The Ecological Spirit and Cosmic Mutuality: Engaging the Work of Denis Edwards,” 167-88. Wednesday – 5 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY Barker – Chapt 3 Environmental Activism BioCD> Learning More > Conservation Organizations BioCD> Learning More > Library Research Nothwehr, ed., Franciscan Theology of the Environment - Himes & Himes, The Sacrament of Creation, 345 - 360. Warner, Get Him Out of the Birdbath!, 361-375. Edmiston, How to Love a Worm, 377-390. Pirkl, Care of Creation: Working With the United Nations, 391-402. Earth Charter: Presentation & Discussion Monday –10 NO CLASS – HOLY WEEK Wednesday – 12 NO CLASS – HOLY WEEK Monday – 17 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS METHOD Smith – Chapt 1 – Deep Ecology and its Radical Vision Chapt 2 – The Ethics of Ecofeminism K. Warner, “Was St. Francis a Deep Ecologist?” 225-240. C. Richards, “The Nature-Culture Dilemma,” 8-13. G. Sessions, “The Deep Ecology Movement: A Review,” 105-125. D. Curtin, “Dōgen, Deep Ecology, and the Ecological Self,” 195-213. K. Warren, “Feminism and Ecology,” 3-20. C. Spretnak, “Ecofeminism,” 3-14. C. Spretnak, “Toward an Ecofeminist Spirituality,” 127-132. [More à] Gudorf & Huchingson, “Theory in Environmental Ethics,” 1-24. Prepare & bring to class - Case Study found on MOODLE: Gudorf & Huchingson, “Nature Creates Deserts Too: Addressing Desertification in China,” 146-152. Wednesday – 19 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS METHOD Smith – Chapt 3 – Animal “Rights” and the Questions of Human Behavior Chapt 4 – The “Naturalists” and Leopoldian Ethics J. Gaffney, “Animals and Ethics,” 297-299. R. Lofton, “The Morality of Hunting,” 241-250. H. Rolston III, “Duties to Endangered Species,” 718-726. A. Gunn, “Why Should We Care About Rare Species?” 17-37. D. Marietta, “Environmental Holism,” 251-258. J. Moline, “Aldo Leopold and the Moral Community,” 99-120. Prepare & bring to class - Case Study found on MOODLE: Gudorf & Huchingson, “Nature Red in Tooth, Claw, and Bullet: Hunting and Human Presence in Nature,” 191-199. Monday –24 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS METHOD Smith – Chapt 5 – Liberation Ecotheology Chapt 7 – Eco-ethics of the Catholic Magisterium L. Boff, “ St. Francis – A Model for Human Liberation,” 38-47. C. Firer Hinze, “Catholic Social Teaching and Ecological Ethics,” 165-182. D. Christiansen, “Ecology and the Common Good,” 183-195. Prepare & bring to class - Case Study found on MOODLE: Gudorf & Huchingson, “Heart Thieves: Preserving Endangered Ecosystems or Endangered Cultures in Madagascar,” 58-66. Wednesday – 26 CATHOLIC ENVIRONMENTAL TRADITION Hart – Chapt 1 – Creation, Creatures, and Community Consideration Chapt 2 Common Ground and Common Good MAY Monday – 1 CATHOLIC ENVIRONMENTAL TRADITION Hart – Chapt 3 – Sacramental and Common Creation Chapt 4 – Transforming Tradition and Conserving Creation: Northern Visions BRING TO CLASS TODAY : a Pastoral Letter on the environment or/and ecological issues from the local church of your country of origin. Be prepared to highlight contents of that document and discuss the effectiveness of its implementation. Also, as part of the discussion you will take turns listening to one another tell about local environmental pastorals. As you listen to your classmates present their pastorals, notice the similarities & differences from your own document and any ways in which their pastoral presents additional challenges to your local church. Wednesday – 3 CATHOLIC ENVIRONMENTAL TRADITION Hart – Chapt 4 – Transforming Tradition and Conserving Creation: Southern Visions Chapt 6 – Creation Consciousness and Concern BRING TO CLASS TODAY : a Pastoral Letter on the environment (See above) Monday – 8 CATHOLIC ENVIRONMENTAL TRADITION Hart – Chapt 7 - Care for Creation and Community Nothwehr, Benedictine Responsibility & Franciscan Mutuality, 403-431. Wednesday – 10 LAST CLASS – ALL PAPERS DUE Summation & Evaluation GRADUATION – MAY 18 th END OF SEMESTER MAY 20 th THE EXPLORATION QUESTIONS IN
TABLE OF CONTENTS Respond to theses questions after reading Baker, Chapter 6 – BIODIVERSITY Respond to theses questions after reading Baker, Chapter 7 – POPULATIONS & FOOD SUPPLIES Respond to theses questions after reading Baker, Chapter 2 – Social Ecology |