REL 3220 - Spirituality and the Environment


Nature inspires spiritual feelings of awe and wonder, and most religions describe what it means for humans to be in right relationship with nature. These descriptions vary across cultures: some emphasize reciprocity among equals while others privilege humans. In response to biodiversity loss and climate change, people are rediscovering spiritual teachings about how to live sustainably and "care for creation." This course explores historical and current interactions between the environment and spirituality in the United States and other countries, with particular attention to ways people adapt religious ideas to promote more environmentally sustainable behavior for individuals, congregations, and societies. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Explorations and Discovery, Societies and Culture Course Category. This course also meets the Planetary Sustainability student learning outcome.

Credits: 4 hours



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