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

About

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the world’s religions and their ecological contributions. This specialization, "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community", contributes such a perspective. Each course celebrates the vitality of religiously-informed action for the Earth and recognizes the longstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples in offering visions and practices for ecological flourishing. This course is part 5 of 5 of the "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community" specialization that focuses on the ecological dimensions of religious traditions throughout the world. The course you are about to begin is designed as a gateway to these aspects of the three Western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. So much has emerged in the last several decades in this area, as you will see. While we have taught this course at Yale, we have adapted it for learners from a wide range of backgrounds. 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 religion leaders and laity who wish to know how they can contribute to interreligious dialogue on environmental projects.

Modules

Overview of this course: Western Religions and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Video: Land Acknowledgement - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Course Introduction: Western Religions and Ecology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

3 Readings

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

Get to know your Instructors and the Environmental Context

    • 2 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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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

Introduction to the Study of Religion and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Module 1: Course Introduction

2 Videos

  • Lecture - 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

2.1: Formation and Figures, Scripture and Commentaries

    • 2 Videos
    • 5 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Lecture - Judaism: Formation and Figures - John Grim
  • Lecture - Introduction and Overview to Judaism: Scriptures and Commentaries - John Grim

5 Readings

  • Judaism Sacred Texts
  • Judaism in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • (Optional) Judaism and Ecology: Ambiguities and Possibilities
  • (Optional) Scripture, Culture and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

2.2: Beliefs and Practices

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 2: Introduction and Overview – Judaism

1 Discussions

  • Module 2: Introduction and Overview - Judaism

1 Videos

  • Lecture - Introduction and Overview to Judaism: Beliefs and Practices - John Grim

3 Readings

  • Resources on Judaism and Ecology
  • Pre-video Introduction: “Rabbi David Rosen on Faiths for Forests”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

3.1: Ways of Repairing the World (Tikkun Olam)

    • 3 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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3 Videos

  • Lecture - Judaism and Ecology into the Present: Orienting and Grounding - John Grim
  • Lecture - Judaism and Ecology into the Present: Nurturing and Transforming - John Grim
  • (Optional) Joshua Ratner, “Jewish Rituals and Engaged Environmentalism.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  • Jewish Women in Environmental Activism
  • Pre-video introduction: “Green Torah Wisdom: Becoming a Jewish Environmentalist”
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Jewish Rituals and Engaged Environmentalism”
  • Earth Bible and Commentary
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

3.2: Rituals and Liturgy

    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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4 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Tu B’Sh’vat Matters: Celebrating Trees and Nature”
  • Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, founder of Shomrei Adomah
  • Rabbi Arthur Waskow, founder of The Shalom Center
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

3.3: Food and Faith; Animals, and Biodiversity

    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 3: Judaism and Ecology into the Present

1 Discussions

  • Module 3: Judaism and Ecology into the Present

5 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “A Jewish Perspective on Food & Faith”
  • Protecting Biodiversity: A Covenant with Every Living Thing
  • Pre-video introduction: “A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World”
  • (Optional) “Jewish Veganism and Vegetarianism: Studies and New Directions”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.1: Formation and Figures, Scripture and Commentary

    • 2 Videos
    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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2 Videos

  • Lecture - Overview of Christianity: Formation and Figures - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to Christianity: Scripture and Commentary - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

7 Readings

  • Christianity Sacred Texts
  • (Optional) Ecological Biblical Hermeneutics
  • Christianity in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Interview on Christianity and Ecology”
  • (Optional) Christianity and Ecology
  • Resources on Christianity and Ecology 
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.2: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew: Orthodox Christian Beliefs and Practices

    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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4 Readings

  • Christianity as Orienting to the Cosmos
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Adriatic: A Sea at Risk”
  • (Optional) Common Declaration of John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch His Holiness Bartholomew I (2002)
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.3: Pope Francis and Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home

    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 4: Introduction and Overview – Christianity

1 Discussions

  • Module 4: Introduction and Overview - Christianity

6 Readings

  • Pope Francis and the Environment: Why His Climate Encyclical Matters
  • Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home
  • Resources on Laudato Si’, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology
  • Pre-video introduction: “Thomas Berry, Cultural Historian and Geologian”
  • (Optional) Resources on Thomas Berry
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.1: Ecotheology and Practice

    • 4 Videos
    • 7 Readings
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4 Videos

  • Lecture - Christianity and Ecology Into the Present - John Grim
  • A Crime Against Creation
  • Willie Jennings, “Environmental Justice and the Christian Doctrine of Creation.” Interview by John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Melanie Harris, “Eco-Womanism, Ecological Memory, and Womanist Theology.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

7 Readings

  • (Optional) New House Rules: Christianity, Economics, and Planetary Living
  • Pre-video introduction: “A Crime Against Creation”
  • Evangelical Environmental Network
  • Pre-video introduction: “Environmental Justice and the Christian Doctrine of Creation”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Eco-Womanism, Ecological Memory, and Womanist Theology”
  • (Optional) African Diaspora: African American environmental religious ethics and ecowomanism
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.2: Emerging Rituals and Liturgy

    • 4 Readings
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4 Readings

  • Season of Creation
  • God’s Good Earth: Praise and Prayer for Creation
  • (Optional) Resources on Earth Mass
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.3: Food and Faith; Animals and Biodiversity

    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 5: Christianity and Ecology into the Present

1 Discussions

  • Module 5: Christianity and Ecology into the Present

6 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Looking at Food Theologically”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Food, Farming, and Faith”
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Living Earth Community: Multiple Ways of Being and Knowing”
  • Animals: Who Cares?
  • (Optional) CreatureKind
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.1: Formation and Figures, Scripture and Commentary

    • 2 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
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2 Videos

  • Lecture - Overview of Islam: Formation and Figures - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to Islam: Scripture and Commentary - John Grim

6 Readings

  • Islam Sacred Texts
  • Islam in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • (Optional) Islam: Norms and Practices
  • Pre-video introduction: “Quran Inspires Environmental Stewardship”
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Religion and the Environment: Sarah Jawaid Extended Interview”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.2: Beliefs and Practices

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Lecture - Overview of Islam: Beliefs and Practices - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

3 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Changing the Present, Dreaming the Future”
  • Resources on Islam and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.3: Indonesia: Education, Praxis, and Prohibitions

    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 6: Introduction and Overview – Islam

1 Discussions

  • Module 6: Introduction and Overview – Islam

5 Readings

  • “Eco-pesantren” movement takes Islamic perspective on nature conservation
  • Indonesian Muslim Council Issues a Fatwa to Protect Endangered Species
  • (Optional) Protecting Tigers with a Fatwa
  • (Optional) Fatwas on Boosting Environmental Conservation in Indonesia
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.1: Islam and Environmental Trusteeship

    • 1 Videos
    • 9 Readings
    • 3 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Lecture - Islam and Ecology into the Present: Orienting: Grounding, Nurturing, and Transforming - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

9 Readings

  • How Islam can represent a model for environmental stewardship
  • (Optional) Guardianship of the Environment
  • Pre-video introduction: “Iran ‘serious’ about fighting climate change”
  • (Optional) Muslims and climate change
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Make or Break”
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Sacred Island - Saving the Ocean”
  • Young Muslim women are leading environmental movements grounded in their beliefs
  • (Optional) Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.2: Food and Faith; Animals and Biodiversity

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

  • Module 7: Islam and Ecology into the Present

1 Discussions

  • Module 7: Islam and Ecology into the Present

3 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “A Muslim Perspective on Food - Theological, Spiritual, and Ethical Grounding”
  • (Optional) Food, Faith, and Farming
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.1: Abrahamic Traditions Partnering for Water and the Environment

    • 6 Readings
    • 3 Plugin
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6 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “EcoPeace Middle East: Peace is Possible”
  • EcoPeace Middle East
  • Representatives of 3 Religions Sign on a Jordan River Covenant
  • Pre-video introduction: “Abrahamic Workshop Interview with Gidon Bromberg & Yana Abu Taleb”
  • Optional) Abrahamic Traditions & Environmental Change Workshop
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.2a: Responses to the Climate Emergency and Environmental Justice (Judaism)

    • 1 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Everett Gendler, “Judaism, Social Justice, and Religious Environmentalism.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Speak Torah to Power: Tikkun Olam - Repairing our World in the Climate Crisis”
  • Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action
  • (Optional) “One synagogue divests from a Carbon Pharaoh Bank”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Judaism, Social Justice, and Religious Environmentalism”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.2b: Responses to the Climate Emergency and Environmental Justice (Christianity)

    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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6 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Climate Change: Faith and Fact”
  • How green theology is energizing the black community to fight the climate crisis
  • (Optional) Epiphany Declaration: 20 Christian Organisations Divest from Fossil Fuels
  • (Optional) Christianity and Environmental Justice
  • (Optional) Interfaith Power & Light - A Religious Response to Global Warming
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.2c: Responses to the Climate Emergency and Environmental Justice (Islam)

    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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4 Readings

  • Muslims Stand Up for Environmental Justice
  • Pre-video introduction: “Faith and the fight against climate change, Part 3”
  • (Optional) Muslim group divests from fossil fuels
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.3: Carrying the Work Forward: Engaged Projects on the Ground

    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 8: Integral Ecology: Water, Climate, and Ecojustice

1 Discussions

  • Module 8: Integral Ecology: Water, Climate, and Ecojustice

3 Readings

  • Engaged Projects in Religion and Ecology
  • Faith Action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Congratulations!

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Lecture - Course Conclusion: Western Religions and Ecology - Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

1 Readings

  • Letter from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

Auto Summary

Explore the interconnectedness of religion and ecology with "Western Religions & Ecology," a Coursera course adapted from Yale. This foundational course delves into the ecological dimensions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ideal for lifelong learners, environmental professionals, NGO workers, and religious leaders, it offers vital insights for ecological justice. Part of a 5-course specialization, it spans 1080 minutes and is available through Starter and Professional subscriptions. Join now to deepen your understanding and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Mary Evelyn Tucker
Instructors

Mary Evelyn Tucker

John Grim
Instructors

John Grim