Each seminar will cover important questions discussed in Ecology and Global Philosophies. These include: Lecture 1: Introduction Lecture 2: Read Kinsley's Ecology and Religion (ER)--Intro., Chapter 1 and 4--Native American Religion (pp. xiii-21 and pp. 42-50) and Chapter 2 and 3--Australian Religion and the Ainu (pp. 22-59) Lecture 3: Read ER--Chapter 5--Hinduism (pp. 53-67) Lecture 4: Read ER--Chapter 6--Chinese Religions (pp. 68-83) and Chapter 7--Buddhism (pp. 84-98) Lecture 5: Read ER--Chapter 8--Christianity as Ecologically Harmful (pp. 101-114) and Chapter 9--Christianity as Ecologically Responsible (pp. 115-124)--PAPER 1 Lecture 6: Read ER--Chapter 10--Nature Disenchanted--The Modern View of Nature (pp. 125-140) Lecture 7: Read ER--Chapter 11--Ecological Spirituality in Thoreau, Muir and Leopold (pp. 141-158) Lecture 8: Read ER--Chapter 12--Contemporary Ecotheology (pp. 161-177)--Choose from (Granberg-Michaelson, Fox, Hall, and Berry) Lecture 9: Read ER--Chapter 13--Animal Rights Ethics (pp. 178-183)--PAPER 2 due Lecture 10: Read ER--Chapter 14--Deep Ecology (pp. 184-192)--Choose from (Salt, Singer, Naess, and Lovelock) Lecture 11: Read ER--Chapter 15--Ecoactivism (pp. 193-202)--Choose from (Greenpeace and Earth First!) Lecture 12: Read ER--Chapter 17--Four Ecovisionaries (pp. 210-226)?Choose from (Bookchin, Berry, Snyder, and Lopez) Lecture 13: Read ER--Chapter 16--Ecofeminism (pp. 203-209)--PAPER 3 due Oral presentations will be scheduled during the Exam week. Basic Literature: Kinsley, David. (1995) Ecology and religion: Ecological spirituality in cross-cultural perspective. Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs. Recommended Literature: McFague, Sallie. A new climate for theology: God, the world, and global warming. Fortress Press, 2008.
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The purpose of this course is to add historical and cross-cultural depth to the current discussion of ecology, philosophy, spirituality, and world religions. We will explore how Eastern (Asian) philosophies and Western schools of thought address the question of the environment. Additionally, we will study how indigineous cultures (especially Native Americans, Aborigines, and shamanistic ones) can help us better understand our relationship with other sentient and non-sentient beings, and how to live in harmony with Mother Nature. Moreover, we will discuss modern and contemporary ecological philosophies (Thoreau, Muir, Leopold, Fox, Berry, Snyder, Lopez) and green movements (Deep ecology, Greenpeace, Earth First! And Eco-Feminism).
COURSE OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Demonstrate first-hand knowledge of Eastern and Western philosophical and religious thinking on the environment, their classic texts, and their cultural impact in our societies. 2. Explain and discuss major Eastern and Western philosophical and religious themes and motifs on the environment. 3. Collect data and cite good examples of similarities and differences between Eastern and Western worldviews on the interface between ecology, global philosophies, and spirituality. 4. Critically address the major philosophical problems encountered in the academic study of religion, especially by taking greater responsibility for one?s own learning through the demonstration of curiosity, motivation, and risk-taking characteristics. 5. Utilize information technology to do research, specifically the Internet, and express themselves clearly, logically, and precisely in writing and in speaking. 6. Analyze and synthesize a broad range of material (including ability to make meaningful connections between various academic disciplines). 7. Produce an original work as part of a final oral presentation based on their ability to formulate a problem, develop a plan of action, and prove or disprove a hypothesis.
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