Care for the Earth is more than an Earth Day slogan. Catholic doctrine and Catholic moral theology provide a rich grounding for dealing with the complex and often perplexing issues that constitute today’s environmental crisis. This course examines key theological and ethical sources and norms that can assist us in achieving conversion from our abusive relationships with the Earth, to moral, sustainable and reverential ways of living.
Required Texts:
Available from http://www.ctu.edu/e-bookstore
John Hart. What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology? ISBN # 0 – 8091 – 4230 – 9 Paperback Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2004.
Jame Schaefer. Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics: Reconstructing Patristic and Medieval Concepts. ISBN # 978 – 1 – 58901 – 268 – 4, Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2009.
Christine E. Gudorf and James E. Hutchingson, Boundaries: A Casebook in Environmental Ethics. Note to Students: (Do not buy the older edition. The 2010 edition is substantially different.) Due to a special arrangement with the authors and with Georgetown University Press, we have been given the privilege of using the “final galley proof” version of the forthcoming SECOND EDITION (May 2010) of this text. You will be given a password that will allow you READ ONLY access to this material via MOODLE.
Recommended Texts:
Robert Traer. Doing Environmental Ethics. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2009.
Leonardo Boff. Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1997
Drew Christiansen and Walter Glazer, eds. And God Saw That It Was Good: Catholic Theology and the Environment. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1996.
Carol J. Dempsey & Mary Margaret Pazdan, Eds. Earth, Wind, and Fire: Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Creation. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2004.
Michael S. Northcott, A Moral Climate: the Ethics of Global Warming. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2007.
Dawn M. Nothwehr, ed. Franciscan Theology of the Environment: An Introductory Reader. Quincy, IL: Franciscan Press, 2003. [Now available through St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati, OH]
David Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2001.
Books on Reserve:
Due to copyright restrictions several readings may be placed on reserve. These items will be indicated in the Schedule of Assignments with **
Learning Outcomes and Assessment:
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
EDM 1.1 Minister out of a well articulated theology of ministry, 2.2.3 Reflect systematically upon Religious tradition, 2.3 Correlate critically these sources
Schedule of Readings and Assignments:
WEEK – I: Introduction to the Seminar Topics and Procedures
- Schaefer, Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics:
- “Introduction: Reading the Catholic Theological Tradition through an Ecological Lens,” 1-16.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries, “Theory in Environmental Ethics,” 3-27.
- Holmes Rolston, III, “Ecology: A Primer for Christian Ethics,” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4/2 (Summer 2007): 293-312.
- Sources I – Creation, Redemption, Incarnation
WEEK – II: The First Testament: Genesis and Beyond
- Dempsey & Pazdan, eds. Earth, Wind, and Fire
- Dempsey, “Creation, Evolution, Revelation, Redemption,” 1-20.
- Laffey, “The Priestly Creation Narrative: Goodness and Interdependence,” 24-34.
- Clifford, “Foundations for a Catholic Ecological Theology of God,” in D. Christiansen & W. Glazier, eds., And God Saw It Was Good, 19-42.
- James B. Martin-Schramm, Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case Study Method, “Christian Resources & the Ethics of Ecological Justice,” 33-46.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries
- “We’re All in This . . . Alone,” 29-44.
WEEK – III: The Second Testament – Jesus Christ in the Gospels and More
- Dempsey & Pazdan, eds. Earth, Wind, and Fire
- Bowe, “Soundings in the New Testament Understanding of Creation,” 52-66
- Reid, “Sabbath the Crown of Creation,” 67-76.
- McGinn, “All Creation Groans in Labor,” 114-123.
- Duncan Reid, “Enfleshing the Human,” in Earth Revealing-Earth Healing ,69-84.
- Denis Edwards, “For Your Immortal Spirit is in All Things,” in Earth Revealing-Earth Healing, 45-68.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries
- “For Ecological Health or Profit,” 49-66.
- Earth Revealing-Earth Healing
WEEK – IV: Uniquely Human – Mediators Between God and Creatures
- [Sign-up today to lead a discussion of one of the readings for class sessions]
- Denis Edwards, “Human Beings within the Community of Life,” in Ecology at the Heart of Faith, 7-26.
- Dawn M. Nothwehr, The Franciscan View of the Human Person: Some Central Elements.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries: “Heart Thieves,” 68-81.
- Sources II – Reconstructing Patristic & Medieval Concepts
WEEK – V: Values & Virtues Foundational for Environmental Ethics class discussion
- NOTE: Please time your presentation carefully so as to allow equal time for all presentations & discussion.
- Schaefer, Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics:
- “Valuing the Goodness of Creation,” 17-42.
- “Appreciating the Beauty of Creation,” 43-64.
- “Reverencing the Sacramental Universe,” 65-102.
- “Respecting Creation’s Praise for God,” 103-120.
- “Cooperating with the Integrity of Creation,” 121-148.
WEEK – VI: Values & Virtues Foundational for Environmental Ethics class discussion
- NOTE: Please time your presentation carefully so as to allow equal time for all presentations & discussion.
- Schaefer, Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics:
- “Acknowledging Kinship and Practicing Companionship,” 149-192.
- “Using Creation with Gratitude,” 193-231.
- “Living Virtuously within the Earth Community,” 231-254.
- “Loving the Earth,” 255-266.
- “Modeling the Human in an Age of Ecological Degradation,” 267-286.
WEEK – VII: NO CLASS SESSION
WEEK – VIII: Scientific Materialism Final Paper/Project Proposals Due Today
- David Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos-Chapt. 3 Imperial Ecology and the Death of Nature, 41-58; Chapt 4 The Competitive Ethos Triumphant, 59-74; Appendix A: The Relationship between Science and Religion, 241-243.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries
- “Must Java Have No Forests, 83-99
WEEK – IX: NO CLASS SESSION
- Norms & Issues – Catholic Social Teaching
WEEK – X:
- John Hart, What are They Saying about Environmental Theology? Chapt 1 – Creation, Creatures, and Community Consideration, 7-22.
- Christiansen, “Ecology and the Common Good,” in D. Christiansen & W. Glazier, eds., And God Saw It Was Good, 183-193.
- Firer Hinze, “Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Ecological Ethics, And God Saw It Was Good,165-177.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries, “Guardian Angels of Angel Oaks,” 142-158.
WEEK – X: CONTINUED
- CST Documents Discussed:
- Vatican Council II – Gaudium et Spes and Lumen Gentium,
- John Paul II – Address – Puebla Mexico (Jan. 1979)
- Address – Des Moines, IA (Oct 1979)
- Address – The Ecological Crisis (Jan 1, 1990)
- Apostolic Constitution – Ex Corde Ecclesiae (1990)
- Encyclical – Centesimus Annus (1991)
- Address – Respect Human Rights (Jan 1, 1999)
- Holy See – Earth Summit 1992 – Archbishop Renato Martino
- Holy See – World Summit on Sustainable Development 2001 – Archbishop Renato Martino
- Catechism of the Catholic Church – select sections
- Compendium of Social Doctrine – Chapter 10
WEEK – XI:
- John Hart, What are They Saying about Environmental Theology? Chapt 2 – Common Ground and Common Good, 23-37.
- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Water, An Essential Element for Life (2003)
- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Water, An Essential Element for Life-An Update (2006)
- Stephen M. Gardiner, “Survey Article: Ethics and & Global Climate Change,” Ethics (April 2004):555-600.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries
- “Water: Economic Commodity or Divine Gift,” 121-140.
- CST Documents Discussed: Dominican Republic Bishops – Pastoral Letter on the Relationship of Human Beings to Nature (1987)
- Guatemalan Bishops – The Cry for Land (1988)
- U.S. Bishops – Renewing the Earth (1991)
- U.S. Bishops – Quincentenary Statement (1991)
- U.S. Bishops – Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue (2001)
WEEK – XII: EARTH DAY
- John Hart, What are They Saying about Environmental Theology? Chapt 3 – Sacramental and Common Creation, 38-58
- Bishops of the Columbia Watershed, The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common Good (2001)
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries
- “River Run or River Ruined,” 163-179.
- CST Documents Discussed:
- Appalachian Bishops – This Land is Home to Me (1975)
- Heartland Bishops – Strangers and Guests (1980)
- Northwest U.S. Bishops – A Public Declaration (1987)
- Appalachian Bishops – At Home in the Web of Life (1995)
- New Mexico Bishops – Reclaiming the Vocation to Care for the Land (1998)
- Alberta, Canadian Bishops- Celebrate Life, Care for Creation (1998)
- Boston Province Bishops – And God Saw It Was Good (2000)
WEEK – XIII:
- Lucia A. Silecchia, “Discerning the Environmental Perspective of Pope Benedict XVI,” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4/2 (Summer 2007): 271-292.
- Timothy E. O’Connell. The Making of Disciples,“The Values People Live, 57-64; “The Place of Feeling,” 65-74; “The Dynamics of Group Experience,” 75 -85 Note: p. 86 of this reading is included in: “The Chemistry of Relationships,” 86-101.
- Gudorf & Hutchingson, Boundaries- “Planning for Climate Change,” 211-223.
- CST Documents Discussed:
- Benedict XVI – Address – World Day of Peace (2010)
- Social Encyclical – Caritas in Veritate (2009)
- Address – World Day of Peace (2009)
- Address – World Youth Day Australia (July 2008)
- Address – World Day of Peace (2008)
- Address – Italy Green Youth Rally (Fall 2007)
WEEK – XIV: Discussion of Student Projects / Papers; Summaries and Conclusions.
- Each student presents a 15 minute summary of their paper, indicating the thesis, method utilized, and the key conclusions / discoveries resulting from their efforts.