Ethics, Spirituality, and Global Climate Change

The 2006 Academy Award-winning film, “An Inconvenient Truth” brought the fact of global warming and it catastrophic effects to the consciousness of thousands. Global climate change is a reality that Christians cannot ignore. While engaging the scientific, economic, and political realities that show the urgency of climate change issues, we will look beyond that dilemma to explore the deeper spiritual and moral resources available in the Christian and Roman Catholic traditions. Students will be assisted in finding ways to integrate their spirituality and ethical practice and to engage in concrete actions that seek resolutions to the many issues global climate change presents to our world. One such opportunity will be to participate in the activities that will be available in the Hyde Park area on January 31, 2008 through the national project “Focus the Nation.”

Course Outcomes:

  • Understand at a basic level the scientific and political aspects of global warming and its potential effects in various regions of the world.[M. Div. 2.1, 2.5, 2.6; MAPS 2.1; MA 1.5, 1.6]
  • Recognize how some aspects of past Christian theologies, theological ethics, and spiritualities have contributed to the present ecological crisis. [M. Div. 2.1, 2.5, 2.6; MAPS 2.1; MA 1.5, 1.6, 1.7]
  • Become familiar with several contemporary approaches to revisioning Christian theologies, theological ethics and spirituality with an ecocentric focus. [M. Div. 2.6; MAPS 2.1; MA 1.7, 2.2]
  • Know the content of key resources from the Catholic moral tradition and Catholic Social
  • Teaching that shape Christian virtue related to climate change [M. Div. 2.1; MAPS 2.1; MA 2.2]
  • Explore spiritual and pastoral practices that may be able to nurture the conversion demanded by crises resulting from climate change. [M. Div. 3.5, 3.6; MAPS 3.1; 3.2; MA 1.2]
  • Gain an integrated understanding of the theological disciplines of ethics and spirituality relevant to pastoral practice [M. Div. 3.5, 3.6; MAPS 3.1; 3.2; MA 1.3, 1.9]

Required Texts:

  • John Hart, What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology?
  • Michael S. Northcott, A Moral Climate: The Ethics of Global Warming

Required Final Paper:

Each student will prepare a paper of about 15-20 pages. For M.A. students this will be a research paper. For M.Div. and MAPS students it may be oriented toward the development of a pastoral plan. (See below for more details.)

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate how an integrated theological/pastoral approach to one specific dimension of the problem of climate change can contribute to the resolution of the problem. The paper should show how ethical, spiritual, and pastoral dimensions of both problem and response are interwoven. For the paper:

  • (a) Select a specific dimension of the climate change problem that faces the people in your country (or in a country where you expect to be in ministry). Be as concrete and focused as possible. For example: Focus on “decline of wheat production in the Pampas region of Argentina” rather than simply on “decline of food supply in Argentina.”
  • (b) Explore some of the historical, social, political, economic, ecological factors contributing to the problem.
  • (c) Be sure to include some basic scientific information in your presentation of the problem and the proposed resolution you offer.
  • (d) Ground your thesis and analysis of the issue using resources explored in this course, and show how this theological, spiritual and moral wisdom brings a critical consciousness to bear on the problem.
  • (e) Draw conclusions and make a recommendation for a theological/pastoral response that contributes to the resolution of the problem.

MA Students must locate and use at least 8 additional scholarly resources beyond those assigned for the course, including at least 4 articles from scholarly journals. Those with a major or minor in Ethics must be explicit about and focus on the advantages/disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses of the ethical method used to arrive at a potential resolution to the problem posed in the paper. Those with a major or minor in Spirituality must explicitly name their method as they show how specific spiritual traditions and/or practices can be reappropriated for a new situation. [MA 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3]

Div. and MAPS Students should orient their paper toward the development of a pastoral plan that moves its conclusions toward teaching and action in a pastoral setting. For example, they might create a sketch of an adult education series; outline a one-day retreat experience; or prepare a presentation to be given as testimony before a government body or authority. [M.Div. 2.1-2.6; MAPS 2.1, 2.2]

TIME LINE FOR PREPARING THE PAPER:

FIRST WEEK: Select the specific problem that will be the focus of your paper. Research its historical, social, political, economic, and ecological factors. [a,b,c above] Write a first draft of this section of your paper in preparation for giving a short oral report.

SECOND WEEK: Select the theological, ethical, and spiritual resources that will contribute to your proposed resolution. [MA students: choose your method, and locate additional scholarly resources.] Study and reflect on these resources. Write a first draft of the section of your paper that shows how this theological, spiritual and moral wisdom brings a critical consciousness to bear on the problem. [d above]

THIRD WEEK: Focus on your conclusions and pastoral response [e above; also take note of c]. Prepare a first draft of this section of your paper in preparation for a short oral report. Revise the drafts of the three sections into a coherent paper.

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:

Note: Each assignment is due on the date under which it is listed. For example: Students should be prepared to discuss Required Readings: Northcott 1, “Message from the Planet” and

Dempsey & Butkus ch. 6, “Mental Cartography in a Time of Environmental Crisis,” 99-125

Week One: Fathoming the Problem of Global Climate Change

  • Introduction to the Course
  • Call to Holiness; Foundational Moral Experience; Moral Vision; Moral Sensitivity
  • Stephen M. Gardiner, “Ethics & Global Climate Change: Survey Article,” Ethics 114 (Apr 2004): 555-600. (E-mail to Students)
  • Holmes Rolston III, “Ecology: A Primer for Christian Ethics,” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4/2 (Summer 2007): 293-312.
  • Contrast Between “Classical” Spiritualities and What is Emerging Now
  • Leonardo Boff, “The Return to Earth as Our Homeland,” in Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor 1-34. (E-mail to Students)
  • In Class Activity: New York Times “Climate Change Quiz”

Lesson 2: Inconvenient Truth + Discussion

  • Required Readings: Northcott 1, “Message from the Planet”
  • Dempsey & Butkus ch. 6, “Mental Cartography in a Time of Environmental Crisis,” 99- 125.
  • John E. Carroll, ch. 2, “Sustainability, Religion, and Ecology,” in Sustainability and Spirituality, 6-20.
  • First Spirituality Reflection due

Lesson 3: The Spiritual Challenge

  • The Call to Conversion
  • Required Readings: Northcott 2, “When Prophecy Fails”
  • Joanna Macy, “The Greatest Danger: Apatheia, the Deadening of Mind and Heart.” In Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World (New Society, 1998), 25-38.
  • Kenneth R. Himes, “The Formation of Conscience: The Sin of Sloth and the Significance of Spirituality.”
  • In Spirituality and Moral Theology: Essays from a Pastoral Perspective, ed. James Keating (Paulist, 2000), 59-80.

Lesson 4: Ethical Vision

  • Biblical Vision – Common Good; Biblical Justice; “eco nomos”
  • Required Readings:
  • Northcott 3, “Energy and Empire”
  • Northcott 4, “Climate Economics”
  • Butkus & S. Kolmes, “Ecology & the Common Good: Sustainability & Catholic Social Teaching,” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4/2 (Summer 2007):403- 436.
  • Required Activity – Prepare and bring to class:
  • Calculate your carbon footprint – See link on Moodle
  • Calculate your ecological footprint – See link on Moodle
  • In Class Video: “Earth Keeping” [27 min.]
  • In Class Video: “The Earth is the Lord’s” [ 15 min.]

Lesson 5: Climate Change Effects in Student’s Country of Origin

  • Required Readings: John Hart, What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology? Chapts. 3, 4 & 5, 38-99.
  • Antonio La Vina et al, “Hope and Despair in Johannesburg: The World Summit on Sustainable Development – A Story of Many Summits,” East Asian Pastoral
  • Review 40 (2003): 287-300.
  • Required Activity – Prepare and bring to class: Select the specific problem that will be the focus of your paper. Research its historical, social, political, economic, and ecological factors. [See a,b,c above, p.2]
  • Write a first draft of this section of your paper in preparation for giving a short oral report.
  • Each student will have 5 minutes to report their findings to the class. Post your report on the forum provided on Moodle

Week Two: Reclaiming Resources From Our Traditions

Lesson 6: Eco-centric Norms and Virtues

  • Specification of Normativity – Love, Justice, Mutuality
  • In Class DVD: “Cosmic Mutuality” by Stephen McAllistar, D. Min.
  • In Class DVD: “Who Killed the Electric Car?” [95 min.]
  • Ecocentric Virtues: Humility, Solidarity, Contemplation
  • Required Readings: Northcott 5, “Ethical Emissions”
  • David Toolan, At Home in the Cosmos ch. 11, “The Fallout for Spirituality,” 195-219.
  • Dempsey & Butkus ch. 4, “Christian Values, Technology, and the Environmental Crisis,” 58-76.

Lesson 7: “From the Heart of the World”

  • Required Readings: Northcott 6, “Dwelling in the Light”
  • Nothwehr, “The Kogi Mamás Ecological Lessons for Christians,” In Cyriac K. Pullapilly, et. al. eds., Christianity and Native Cultures: Perspectives from
  • Different Regions of the World, 481-518.
  • Mary John Manzanan, “Globalization and the Perennial Question of Justice,” in Spiritual Questions for the 21st Century, 153-161.
  • In Class Video “From the ‘Heart of the World:’ The Elder Brother’s Warning” [88 min.]
  • Second Spirituality Reflection due

Lesson 8: Sources from the Roman Catholic Tradition

  • Source of Moral Knowledge
  • Required Readings: John Hart, What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology? Chapt. 1 & Chapt. 6, 7-22 and 100-128.
  • Licia A. Silecchia, “Discerning the Environmental Perspective of Pope Benedict XVI,” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4/2 (Summer 2007): 227-269.
  • See Moodle for Vatican documents on Climate Change
  • Asceticism and Works of Mercy in Ecocentric Perspective
  • Required Reading: Kyle T. Kramer, “Eco-Asceticism: Preparing for the Future through Discipline Today,” America 11-5-2007, 21-24.

Lesson 9: Place and Pilgrimage as Ecocentric Practices

  • Rituals of Lamentation and Hope
  • Required Readings: Northcott 7, “Mobility and Pilgrimage”
  • Dempsey & Butkus ch. 13, “A Sense of Place,” 240-269.
  • Richard McCarron, “Why Have You Abandoned Us? Liturgy in Time of Natural Disaster,” All Your Waves Swept Over Me 54-74.
  • In Class DVD: “The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion & the Collapse of the American Dream” [78 min.]

Lesson 10: Key Concepts in a Catholic Sacramental Vision

  • First Draft Due: the section of your paper showing how theological, moral, and spiritual wisdom brings a critical consciousness to your selected issue.
  • Required Readings: Northcott 8, “Faithful Feasting”
  • Gudorf, “Theory in Environmental Ethics,” In C. Gudorf and J. Hutchingson, Boundaries: A Casebook in Environmental Ethics, 1-24.
  • James B. Martin-Schram, “Christian Resources & the Ethics of Ecological Justice,” In
  • Martin-Schramm & Stivers, Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case Study Method, 33-46.
  • Denis Edwards, “Celebrating Eucharist in a Time of Global Climate Change,” Pacifica 19 (2006): 1-1

Week Three: Where Do We Go From Here?

Lesson 11: Bearing with the “Cloud of Unknowing” – scientific, moral, spiritual

  • The Virtues – The Virtue of Prudence
  • Required Readings: Stephen H. Schneider, “Accepting Uncertainty”
  • Stephen Gardiner, “A Perfect Moral Storm: Climate Change, Intergenerational Ethics & the Problem of Corruption,” Environmental Values 15 (2006):397-413.
  • Constance FitzGerald, “Impasse and Dark Night,” in J.W. Conn, Womens’ Spirituality: Resources for Christian Development, 287-311.
  • Third Spirituality Reflection due

Lesson 12: Forming Communities for Response to Environmental Crisis

  • Values and Valuing
  • Required Readings: O’Connell, “The Values People Live,” In Making Disciples, 57-64.
  • John Broome, “Valuing Policies in Response to Climate Change: Some Ethical Issues http://www.hmtreasury.gov.uk./media/5/0/stern_review_supporting_technical_material_john_broome_261006.pdf
  • Marthinus Daneel, African Earthkeepers, 1-3, 106-132.
  • In Class: Webcast of European Union Press Conference – Bali, Indonesia – 12.15.07

Lesson 13: Values: How We Get Them, How We Change Them, The Difference They Make

  • Components of Moral Deciding: Social Sciences& the Art of Moral Formation
  • Required Readings: O’Connell, “The Place of Feeling,” “The Dynamics of Group Experience,” “The Chemistry of Relationship,” In Making Disciples, 65 -101.
  • John Vidmar, “Plague, Famine, Yellow Fever: Religious Repercussions of Three Natural Disasters.” In All Your Waves Swept Over Me: Looking for God in Natural
  • Disasters, ed. Nancy de Flon and James A. Wallace.
  • Kirby et al, “Irrationality Wants to be Your Friend,” in Ignition: What You Can Do to Fight Global Warming.

Lesson 14: Looking to the Future

  • Required Readings: Hart – What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology?, “Care for Creation and Community,” 129-142.
  • Baum, M. Hellwig, & W.M. Byrnes, “Global Climate Change & Catholic Responsibility: Facts & Faith Response,” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 4/2 (Summer 2007): 373- 401.
  • McDonagh, Climate Change, “How the Churches are Responding,” 152-196.
  • In Class DVD: “Killowatt Ours” [55 min.]

Lesson 15: FINAL PAPERS DUE

This syllabus pertains to when the course was offered in 2008