Master of Theological Studies

Master of Theological Studies – Specialization in Ecological Theology and Ethics Boston University School of Theology (effective Spring 2014) Last updated December 13, 2013

Student’s Name______BUID# U ______Matriculation:  September  January _____(Year)

The MTS specialization in Ecological Theology and Ethics enables students to explore issues of meaning and proper action concerning care for creation and care for community. The specialization offers vocational formation appropriate to a range of contexts in which and for which religious leadership is carried out. It also offers academic training appropriate for students who wish to pursue advanced doctoral work in Ecological Theology and Ethics.

I. Core Requirements Must be Credit Sem Grade Transfer Petition taken STH TF 701 Reading the World I: History, Theology & Contexts Fall 1 4   STH TO 704 Intro to Hebrew Bible Fall 1 4   STH TF 702 Reading the World II: History, Theology & Contexts Sprg 1 4   STH TN 721 Intro to New Testament Sprg 1 4   STH TF 801 Contextual Education Project and Action Reflection Group Fall or 4   (may be fulfilled with 2 semesters of Practices of Faith (TF703/TF704) Spg 2

MTS students completing a specialization in Ecological Theology and Ethics will design a customized contextual education project that enhances their work in this specialization. As most courses available for the specialization attend closely to contemporary contexts, the contextual education project can provide a natural extension and deepening of this coursework. Such projects could explore ecological issues in relation to public policy, interfaith dialogue, industrial development, congregational or community practices, biological research, proposals for industrial, commercial, and residential development, urban and rural planning, utilities proposals and siting, religious institution’s teachings and contextual practices, or institutional efforts to reduce carbon footprint, for example. Projects could enable students to visit and work within particular sites or contexts of interest to develop an ethic of ecological sustainability, or an ecological spirituality or theology. A student will work with his or her advisor to design a contextual education project that complements the student’s particular focus in ecological theology and ethics. Total Credits 20

II. Credit Sem Grade Transfer BTI Petition Specialization Requirements (these may fulfill core elective requirements in section III below) Foundational    course (choose 4 one of the following) □ STH TS 829 Christian Ecological Ethics and Political Issues □ STH TS 867 Christianity and Ecology in Community Contexts MTS Plan of Study – Ecological Theology and Ethics Specialization Page 2

Choose three 12    of the following (no    more than two of which may    come from outside STH) □ STH TC 872 Animals, Theology, and Healing (clusters 2, 3) □ STH TM 858 Creating Resilience Amidst Resource Scarcity (clusters 2, 3) □ STH TS 829 Christian Ecological Ethics and Political Issues (clusters 2, 3) – if not used as the foundational course above □ STH TS 867 Christianity and Ecology in Community Contexts (clusters 2, 3) – if not used as the foundational course above □ STH TS 899 Sacred Earth: Indigenous Peoples’ Ecological Traditions (clusters 1, 2) □ STH TT 865 Process- Relational Theologies and Philosophies (clusters 1, 2)

□ CAS BI 543 Global Ecology

□ CAS GE 594 Environmental Negotiation and Policy

□ CAS GE 522: MTS Plan of Study – Ecological Theology and Ethics Specialization Page 2

Environmental Policy and Decision- Making □ GRS GE 794: Current Issues in Environmental Affairs □ GRS GE 660: Resource Economics and Policy □ GRS GE 600 Environment and Development: A Political Ecology Approach □ GRS GE 620: Methods of Environmental Policy Analysis Other BU or BTI courses with approval of advisor 16 III. Core Must be taken Credit Sem Grade Transfer BTI Petition Electives (these can be met by any of the specialization requirements above if they fit in the needed cluster) Cluster 1 – Any 4    Texts and Traditions Choose any course from Cluster 1 (may be taken outside STH): STH ______Cluster 2 – Any 4    Engaging Contemporary Contexts Choose any course from Cluster 2 (may be taken outside STH): MTS Plan of Study – Ecological Theology and Ethics Specialization Page 2

STH ______Cluster 3 – Any 4    Theories and Practices of Leadership Choose any course from Cluster 3 (may be taken outside STH): STH ______Total Credits 12

Free Electives Credit Sem Grade Transfer BTI Petition               

Taken Needed Student’s Signature______Date ______Core Requirements 20 Cluster Electives 12 Advisor’s Date ______Signature______Specialization 16 Free Electives 16-28 Registrar’s Date ______Signature______Total 64

Note: No more than 20 credits may be taken outside STH either in other schools/colleges at BU, through the BTI, or by transfer from another institution.