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Adventures in Ecotheology

Module description

This Masters-level module will enable you to explore how recent explorations in ecotheology interact with classic frameworks in Christian theology. It therefore presumes a basic knowledge of those frameworks. It will include not only radical proposals in ecofeminism and Christanimism, but also work in ‘cli-fi’ futuristic literature, and in poetry. It would therefore be of interest to you if you are a student in philosophy, cultural studies, or English literature.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to:

Introduce you to areas of Christian theology that face challenges from the need to respond to the ecological crisis, especially climate change

Enable you to undertake close reading of a series of recent texts in ecotheology, climate fiction, and poetry, and relate them to these theological areas

Enable you to generate their own theological proposals in response to ecological challenges, relating them to the set readings.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Give a sophisticated account of the challenges posed to traditional Christian theological frameworks by ecological issues
• 2. Interpret creatively the interaction between selected ecotheological and literary texts and traditional Christian theological frameworks

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Argue theologically on the basis of Scripture, tradition and reason, with particular reference to ecological science
• 4. Provide nuanced and sophisticated readings of selected texts that relate to ecotheological concerns

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Formulate a learning plan including critical evaluation and creative proposals
• 6. Research secondary sources making judicious use of on-line material
• 7. Present interim conclusions and discuss them with others with openness and respect

Syllabus plan

The syllabus is likely to include an introduction to the way the ecological crisis challenges elements of Christian theology, such as the human vocation, humans’ relationship to other creatures, inter-generational issues, and problems of linear and cyclic time.

A series of set texts will be read and discussed intensively in synchronous sessions. These are likely to range from the papal encyclical Laudato Si’ to ecofeminist liberation writings, and to include ‘cli-fi’ literature and nature poetry. These discussions will enable students to complete their summative assignments.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Deane-Drummond, C, A Primer in Eco-theology (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Conradie, E. and Koster, H, (eds), The T&T Clark Handbook in Christian Theology and Climate Change (London: T&T Clark/Bloomsbury, 2020)
• Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, (2015) available at laudatosi.com
• Santmire, HP, Before Nature (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014)
• Wallace, M, When God was a Bird (New York: Fordham University Press, 2018)
• Primavesi, A, Gaia and Climate Change (London: Routledge, 2009)
• Atwood, M, The Year of the Flood (London: Virago, 2010)
• Oliver, M, Devotions (New York: Penguin, 2017)

Key words search

Ecotheology, liberation, ecofeminism, cli-fi, nature poetry