Creation, Ecology and Humanity in Christian Theology

That the ecological challenges of our time have roots in the history of ideas is obvious. But what are these roots and how have they affected our view of humanity and its place in nature? In much ecocritical theory, theological ideas are presented as having had a particularly large responsibility for the anthropocentrism characteristic of the Western moral imagination, with notions of a God-given human superiority and a specific mandate to rule over nature. These kinds of ideas are critically investigated during the course. Through a reading of central texts, both historical and contemporary, understanding of the theological, philosophical, and ideological systems forming our view of ourselves and our place in creation is developed in depth. The course gives a set of theoretical tools for the study of the relation between religious faith and environmental issues, thus providing a solid foundation for participating with skill and understanding in the most significant discussion of our time.