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Christianity & Ecology
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 18 hours
  • Course by Yale University
  • Offered by

About

There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the world’s religions and their ecological contributions. This course is designed as a gateway to the rich ecological dimensions of the Christian religious tradition. We delve into unique contributions from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christianity, exploring views on and relationship with the natural world. We additionally highlight the relationship between Christianity and environmental justice, evangelical approaches to “creation care”, and Christian teachings on biodiversity, climate change, and the relationship between human, Earth, and cosmos. This course is for lifelong learners curious to know more about world religions and ecology, environmental professionals eager to deepen the discourse of environmental protection and conservation, those working with non-profit organizations and NGOs on issues of ecological justice, and religious leaders and laity who wish to know how they can contribute to interreligious dialogue on environmental projects.

Modules

Overview of this Course: Christianity and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Land Acknowledgement - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Course Overview: Christianity and Ecology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

3 Readings

  • Welcome letter from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
  • How this course is organized
  • Disclaimer

Get to know your Instructors and the Environmental Context

    • 2 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Discussions

  • Course Introduction

2 Videos

  • Personal Introduction - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Personal Introduction - John Grim

4 Readings

  • Learn more about your Instructors
  • (Optional) Religion and Ecology Conferences and Book Series, 1996-1998
  • Pre-video introduction: The Promise of Planetary Health
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Lesson 2.1 – The Study of Religion and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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2 Videos

  • What is Religion? Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to the Study of Religion and Ecology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

2 Readings

  • Pre-lecture introduction: “Introduction to the Study of Religion and Ecology”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Lesson 2.2 – Pathways into Christianity and Ecology

    • 5 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 2: Introduction to Religion and Ecology

1 Discussions

  • Module 2: Introduction to Religion and Ecology

5 Videos

  • Lecture - Ecotheologians, Ambivalence, Affirmation - John Grim
  • Lecture - Pathways into Christianity and Ecology: Creation - John Grim
  • Lecture - Pathways into Christianity and Ecology: Incarnation - John Grim
  • Lecture - Pathways into Christianity and Ecology: Sacrament - John Grim
  • Lecture - Christianity and Ecology into the Present: Orienting, Grounding, Nurturing, and Transforming - John Grim

2 Readings

  • Christianity and Ecology Into the Present
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Lesson 3.1 – Formation and Figures, Scripture and Commentary

    • 10 Videos
    • 7 Readings
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10 Videos

  • Lecture - Overview of Christianity: Introduction - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Overview of Christianity: Historical Christ - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Overview of Christianity: Cosmic Christ - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Background - John Grim
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Augustine - John Grim
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Maximus the Confessor - John Grim
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Hildegard of Bingen - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Thomas Aquinas - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • (Optional) Matthew Riley, "The Life and Influence of Lynn T. White, Jr." Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

7 Readings

  • Overview of Christianity: Formation and Figures
  • Introduction to Christianity: Scripture and Commentary
  • Earth Bible and Commentary
  • Christianity Sacred Texts
  • Ecological Biblical Hermeneutics
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “The Life and Influence of Lynn T. White, Jr.”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Lesson 3.2 – Ecological Responses

    • 1 Videos
    • 8 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 3: Overview of Christianity and Ecological Responses

1 Discussions

  • Module 3: Overview of Christianity and Ecological Responses

1 Videos

  • Stephanie Johnson, "Christianity and Ecological Parish Ministry." Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

8 Readings

  • Christianity in "Faith for Earth: A Call for Action"
  • Pre-video introduction: "Christianity and Ecology"
  • Overview Essay - Christianity and Ecology
  • Christianity and Ecology: Seeking the Well-Being of Earth and Humans
  • (Optional) Christian Theologians
  • Pre-video introduction: "Christianity and Ecological Parish Ministry"
  • Resources on Christianity and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Earth as Sacred Icon

    • 8 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 4: Sacramental Christianity: Earth as Sacred Icon

1 Discussions

  • Module 4: Sacramental Christianity: Earth as Sacred Icon

8 Readings

  • Christianity as Orienting to the Cosmos
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Adriatic: A Sea at Risk”
  • Common Declaration of John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch His Holiness Bartholomew I
  • Pre-video introduction: “And God Saw that Everything was Good: The Theological Vision of Creation in the Orthodox Tradition”
  • Orthodox Writings on Christianity and Ecology
  • (Optional) The Face of God in the World: Insights from the Orthodox Christian Tradition
  • Joint Message of Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the World Day of Prayer for Creation (2017)
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

“Cry of the Earth; Cry of the Poor”

    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 5: Christian Integral Ecology: “Cry of the Earth; Cry of the Poor”

1 Discussions

  • Module 5: Christian Integral Ecology: “Cry of the Earth; Cry of the Poor”

7 Readings

  • Pope Francis and the Environment: Why His Encyclical Matters
  • Pope Francis. “Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home.” May 24, 2015.
  • Pre-video introduction: "Overview of Laudato Si’"
  • Pre-video introduction: “Our moral imperative to act on climate change”
  • Resources on Laudato Si’
  • Laudato Si’ Movement
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Lesson 6.1 – Protestant Ecotheology and Justice

    • 2 Videos
    • 11 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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2 Videos

  • Sallie McFague, “The Role of Theologians and Religious Leaders as Public Advocates for the Environment”
  • Willie Jennings, “Christianity and Environmental Justice: Race, Habitation, and the Legacy of Extraction.” Interview by John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

11 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “The Role of Theologians and Religious Leaders as Public Advocates for the Environment”
  • Protestant Reformers on Christianity and Ecology
  • (Optional) The World of Nature According to the Protestant Tradition
  • How Shall We Live? Christianity and Planetary Economics
  • Resisting Structural Evil: Love as Ecological Economic Vocation
  • Pre-video introduction: "Rethinking Apocalypse in the Face of Climate Change"
  • (Optional) A Path from Apocalypse to Transformation
  • Pre-video introduction: “Christianity and Environmental Justice: Race, Habitation, and the Legacy of Extraction”
  • (Optional) Eco-Theology and Zoning Meetings
  • Green The Church
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.2 – Evangelical Christianity and Creation Care

    • 1 Videos
    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 6: Embodied Christianity: Ecotheology in Practice

1 Discussions

  • Module 6: Embodied Christianity: Ecotheology in Practice

1 Videos

  • Mountaintop Removal: A Crime Against Creation

7 Readings

  • Creation Care vs. Caring for the Environment
  • Engaged Evangelical Christianity
  • Pre-video introduction: “Mountaintop Removal: A Crime Against Creation"
  • Evangelical Responses to Laudato Si’
  • Secretary-General of the World Evangelical Alliance at COP21
  • Evangelical Voices on Environmental Rights and Biodiversity
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.1 – Environmental Justice

    • 1 Videos
    • 8 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Eco-Justice

8 Readings

  • Introduction to Environmental Justice
  • Environmental Justice and Eco-Justice
  • Christianity and Environmental Justice
  • (Optional) From Social Justice to Creation Justice in the Anthropocene
  • (Optional) Toxic Wombs and the Ecology of Justice
  • Pre-video introduction: “Eco-Justice”
  • Christianity Resources, Ecojustice Hub, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.2 – Ecofeminism and Ecowomanism

    • 2 Videos
    • 8 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 7: “Integral Liberation”: Christian Ecojustice Engagement

1 Discussions

  • Module 7: “Integral Liberation”: Christian Ecojustice Engagement

2 Videos

  • Melanie Harris, “Eco-Womanism, Ecological Memory, and Womanist Theology.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Wangari Maathai, "'I wanted to do good': The Influence of Benedictine Nuns on Speaking for the Environment"

8 Readings

  • Christianity, Ecofeminism, and Transformation
  • Pre-video introduction: “Eco-Womanism, Ecological Memory, and Womanist Theology”
  • (Optional) African Diaspora: American environmental religious ethics and ecowomanism
  • Pre-video Introduction: “The Influence of Benedictine Nuns on Speaking for the Environment”
  • Expanding Contexts, Breaking Boundaries
  • Ecology, Feminism, and African and Asian Spirituality: Toward a Spirituality of Eco-Feminism
  • Ecofeminism: A Latin American Perspective
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.1 – A Communion of Subjects: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

    • 10 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
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10 Readings

  • Learning Our Place: The Agrarian Perspective of the Bible
  • Pre-video introduction: “Looking at Food Theologically”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Food, Farming, and Faith”
  • Practicing the Presence of God: A Christian Approach to Animals
  • Faith, Feminism and Animal Advocacy
  • Animals: Who Cares?
  • (Optional) CreatureKind
  • A Christian View of Biodiversity
  • Christianity and Biodiversity
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.2 – Climate Emergency: Christian Ethics in Action

    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 8: Food, Animals, Biodiversity, and Climate Change

1 Discussions

  • Module 8: Food, Animals, Biodiversity, and Climate Change

7 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Climate Change: Faith and Fact”
  • Climate Change and Christian Ethics
  • Christianity Climate Change Statements
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Sacred Secrets of Nature”
  • How green theology is energizing the black community to fight the climate crisis
  • Interfaith Power and Light
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Lesson 9.1 – Invitation to a New Story

    • 1 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Willie Jennings, “The Christian Doctrine of Creation: Reimagining an Animate and Communicative World.” Interview by John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

6 Readings

  • The Influence of Thomas Berry
  • The New Story
  • (Optional) Resources on Thomas Berry
  • Christianity and Ecology
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Christian Doctrine of Creation: Reimagining an Animate and Communicative World”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

9.2 – Cosmological Liturgy: Season of Creation and Earth Mass

    • 10 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 9: Christianity and Cosmology

1 Discussions

  • Module 9: Christianity and Cosmology

10 Readings

  • Resources on Season of Creation
  • Liturgical Responses to Creation
  • Missa Gaia - A Mass Dedicated to the Earth
  • (Optional) Animals in Christian Liturgy
  • Pre-video introduction: “Procession of the Animals”
  • (Optional) Full of Your Glory: Liturgy, Cosmos, Creation
  • (Optional) A Tree-Planting Eucharist
  • (Optional) The Cosmic Mass
  • Pre-video introduction “Hymn of the Cherubim - Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Congratulations!

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Course Conclusion: Christianity & Ecology - Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

1 Readings

  • Letter from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

Auto Summary

Explore the rich ecological dimensions of Christianity with "Christianity & Ecology" on Coursera. This foundational course delves into Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant contributions to environmental justice, creation care, and the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. Ideal for lifelong learners, environmental professionals, NGO workers, and religious leaders, it offers 1080 minutes of in-depth content. Available with a Starter subscription.

Mary Evelyn Tucker
Instructors

Mary Evelyn Tucker

John Grim
Instructors

John Grim