<p> RE 100 Explorations Seminar</p><p>Ecospirituality and Environmental Sustainability</p><p>Preliminary Syllabus</p><p>Spring 2012 11:00-12:20, M&W, HC 317 Dr. J. Lawrence Brasher Office: 316 Humanities Office Hours: Tues. 2:00-4:30, Thurs. 9:00-12:00, and by appointment</p><p>Course Description An introduction to contemporary ecospirituality and environmental activism with a focus on environmental sustainability in Alabama. Ecotheologians are reframing traditional religious beliefs in light of new cosmological understandings and increasing pressure on the Earth’s ecology. This course will highlight the growing alliance between religious faith and the environmental movement. Students will read recent works of ecocentric theologians and scientific literature on the ecology of Alabama; explore the beliefs, ethics, and programs of diverse organized environmental initiatives in Alabama; participate in peer research and teaching; and gain perspective from field trips and service learning.</p><p>Course Goals Explorations Seminars ask four questions: • How does one effectively participate in the college community? • How does one learn to ask the “right” kinds of questions? • How does one use research to explore problems and develop solutions? • How does one work with others to develop better, more useful understandings?</p><p>As an Exploration in Scholarship seminar, this course assumes that learning and understanding begin with curiosity. Our understanding grows as we collaborate with others, connect ideas, do research, and give and receive feedback. In this class, we present our ideas in writing, in oral presentations, in class discussions. All of these modes provide us opportunities to practice and hone our learning strategies, strategies that can serve us in this class and in all college coursework and endeavors. In the end, we arrive in a new place, seeing the world in a new way. Identifying new ways of being, doing, and knowing is the essence of learning in college.</p><p>Requirements and Grade Distribution Mastery of the content of the course will be measured by the following assignments: 1. Team presentation on an environmental organization - 15% 2. Ten (10) reading response papers (hard copy only) - 30% 3. Group research project and oral class presentation - 30% 4. Leading class discussions of readings, class participation - 25%</p><p>Class Attendance, Discussion, and Participation This is a discussion class. Some people are naturally more vocal than others. Everyone who meets the attendance requirements will earn at least a “70” for class participation. Your grade will rise in direct proportion to the quantity and quality of your verbal participation.</p><p>A maximum of three (3) absences is permitted. This number includes all absences for whatever reason. Each absence in excess of this number will result in the final grade being lowered by five (5) points. </p><p>Required Texts Roger S. Gottlieb, ed. This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment, Second Edition. (Routledge, 2004) Readings on Moodle</p><p>Recommended Sources Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Nature, God, and Pulpit. Albaness, Catherine. Nature Religion in America. Austin, Richard. Baptised into Wilderness: A Christian Perspective on John Muir. Austin, Richard. Reclaiming America: Restoring Nature to Culture. Bassett, Libby. Earth and Faith: A Book for Reflection and Action. Berry, Thomas. The Great Work. Bryson, Bill A Walk in the Woods. Carroll, John E., et al. The Greening of Faith: God, the Environment, and the Good Life. Cobb, John B., Jr. Sustainability: Economics, Geology, and Justice. Collins, Paul. God’s Earth: Religion as if Matter Really Mattered. Derr, Thomas, et al. Environmental Ethics and Christian Humanism. Finch, Robert, et al. The Norton Book of Nature Writing. Fowler, Robert B. The Greening of Protestant Thought. Fox, Matthew. The Cosmic Christ, Creation Spirituality Gardner, Gary. Invoking the Spirit: Religion and Spirituality in the Quest for a Sustainable World. Haught, John. The Promise of Nature. McDaniel, Jay. Living from the Center: Spirituality in an Age of Consumerism. McDaniel, Jay. With Roots and Wings: Christianity in an Age of Ecology. McFague, Sallie. The Body of God: An Ecological Theology. Maguire, Daniel, et al. Ethics for a Small Planet. Nash, James A. Loving Nature: Geological Integrity and Christian Responsibility. O’Murchu, Diarmuid. Quantum Theology. Pollan, Michael. The Botany of Desire Pollan, Michael. Bringing It to the Table: On Farming and Food Reuther. Rosemary Radford. Gaia and God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing. Stetson, Lee. The Wild Muir. Tucker, Mary Evelyn and Grim, John. Worldviews and Ecology. Wilson, Edward O. The Future of Life.</p><p>Websites: www.beliefnet.com Beliefnet www.earthcharter.org Earth Charter www.nrpe.org National Religious Partnership for the Environment www.earthministry.org Earth Ministry www.crle.org/index-html Center for Respect for Life and Environment www.webofcreation.org Web of Creation www.nacce.org Earthkeeping News www.environment.harvard.edu/religion Forum on Religion and Ecology www.newdream.org Center for a New America/Sustainability www.earthfirst.org Earth First! www.csf.concord.org\est Education for a Sustainable Future www.bamanews.com Bama Environmental News (BEN): See links to other organizations www.creationethics.org Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation www.worldwatch.org Worldwatch www.colleges.org/~enviro Sustainability, Humanities, and the Environment www.hendrix.edu/css/holistic.htm Center for Spirituality and Sustainability www.ewradio.org Earthwatch Radio www.emagazine.com E/The Environmental Magazine www.restoringeden.org www.creationcare.org Evangelical Environmental Network www.carma.org/plant/detail/28493 Alabama Power Plants</p><p>See other websites in TSE, p 753 </p><p>Class Schedule</p><p>September 2 - Introductions Video </p><p>7 - Labor Day: No Class</p><p>I. History</p><p>9 - How has the Environment become a Spiritual issue? Religion in an Age of Environmental Crisis, TSE, 3-13 The Nature of Faith, Reserve Video clip: Blue Planet</p><p>14 - The Fall from Eden: Is Western Civilization to Blame? The Historical Roots of our Ecologic Crisis, TSE, 192-201 Video clip: Affluenza </p><p>16 - RRP Problems with the Mastery Hypothesis Christianity as Ecologically Responsible, M The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility, TSE, 202-209 Creation and the Covenant of Caring, TSE, 210-214 First Response Paper Due</p><p>II. EcoSpirituality</p><p>21 - RRP Transcendental Landscapes Muir, A Windstorm in the Forests, M Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers; Walden, excerpts, M</p><p>23 - The Moment of Seeing: Linking Nature and Spirit The Moment of Seeing, TSE, 21-49 </p><p>September 28 - RRP Land Ethics Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, M</p><p>30 - Guest Speaker or tour of Southern Environmental Center</p><p>October 5 - RRP Spiritual Dimensions of Deep Ecology Millay, The Fawn, TSE, 475 Macy, Faith, Power and Ecology, TSE 497-504 Shepard, The Others, TSE, 505-508</p><p>7 - Ecofeminist Spirituality Reuther, Ecofeminism: Symbolic and Social Connections, TSE, 388-399 Eisler, Messages from the Past, TSE, 449-461</p><p>12 - RRP Process Theology and Sustainability McDaniel, Whose Story Shall We Tell, M</p><p>14 - Guest Speaker</p><p>19 - RRP Sacralizing the Earth McDaniel, And God So Loved the Planet, M Ray, Built by Fire, Forest Beloved, M</p><p>III. Eco-Justice and Spirituality: Global and Local Advocacy</p><p>October 21 - RRP Gaia and Ecopsychology Seed and Macy, Gaia Meditations, TSE, 552-553 Imagination, Gaia and the Sacredness of the Earth, M Video clip: Gaian Mass (from “A Sense of Place”)</p><p>26 - RRP Christian Eco-visionaries Haught, Christianity and Ecology, TSE, 232-247</p><p>28 - Group Research Presentation</p><p>November 2 - No Class</p><p>4 - RRP Liberal Protestants, Earth Shrines, Green Sisters Narr, The Green Cathedral, M Taylor, Reinhabiting Religion: Green Sisters, TSE, 613-627</p><p>9 - Group Research Presentation</p><p>11 - RRP Neo-Catholic Stewardship, Creation-centered Spirituality Berry, The Universe Story, M Matthew Fox, Creation Spirituality, M</p><p>16 - Group Research Presentation 18 - Environmental Apocalypse: Earth First and Ecotage Taylor, Earth First!: From Primal Spirituality to Ecological Resistance, M Abbey, Shadows from the Big Woods, M Abbey, The Raid at Comb Wash, M Video clips: Earth First: The Politics of Radical Environmentalism</p><p>23 - Group Research Presentations</p><p>25 - Sacred Agriculture and Bioregionalism Orr, A World That Takes Its Environment Seriously, M Higgins, Race, Sacrifice and Native Lands, TSE, 716-720 Chavis, Street Trees, TSE, 723-726</p><p>30 - Group Research Presentation</p><p>December 2 - Video and Discussion: Rage over Trees</p><p>ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS</p><p>Team Presentations on an Environmental Organization You and a classmate will be responsible for a 10-15 minute class presentation detailing the history, philosophy, goals, work achievements and current projects of an environmental organization active in Alabama. You should focus your presentation on the organization’s activities in Alabama or adjoining states, and, if possible, you should personally talk with an employee or official of the organization. </p><p>Environmental organizations in Alabama The Nature Conservancy The Sierra Club/Student Coalition Groups Land Trusts: Alabama Land Trust; Land Trust of North Alabama; Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers Land Trust, Freshwater Land Trust WildLaw WildSouth (formerly Wild Alabama) Alabama Rivers Alliance Cahaba River Society Alabama Environmental Council Mobile Baywatch Alabama Wildlife Federation Legacy: Environmental Education Consortium JSU Environmental Policy and Info Center Conservation Unlimited (Montgomery) Alabama League of Environmental Action Voters (PAC) The Audubon Society/Volunteer Network Ducks Unlimited Mt. Laurel Organic Farms/Grow Alabama The Dogwood Alliance Region 2020 Southern Environmental Center (BSC) Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition Southeastern Cave Conservancy Western Reduction and Technology Transfer Foundation Interfaith Environmental Initiative of Alabama *75+ links on www.bamanews.com</p><p>Reading Response Papers (There are 10) These weekly papers are to be exactly one page each (double-spaced 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman.) This means you will have to edit your papers to fit the required length. The assignment is to compose a polished, crafted, thoughtful, and concise statement of observation and opinion, in dialogue with the assigned reading for the week. Make a point and develop it. Identify strengths and weaknesses of the author’s point of views and defend your own opinion/position. Mechanical errors of spelling or grammar indicate haste or laziness and should not occur. Do not take these assignments lightly: your interaction with the readings is one of the most important aspects of this course.</p><p>These papers are due on the following dates: September 16, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 21, 26, November 4, 11. The first paper, due September 16, will not deal directly with the readings. It will be a “Self-Assessment Paper,” described below.</p><p>Self-Assessment Paper (2 pages, 500 words) Purpose To explore the way in which your attitudes toward religion and the environment were shaped by experience, institutions, and the people in your life;</p><p>Assignment Spend some time reflecting on the following questions about the significant events, people, or institutions that have influenced your personal experiences and exposure to religion as they relate to the environment.</p><p> Significant People: How have your parents, other relatives, friends, or other persons influenced your ideas about religion and the environment? How has your particular upbringing, family history, and interaction with others affected how you think about religion/spirituality and environment issues?</p><p> Religious Tradition: If you were raised in a religious tradition, did it promote a particular orientation or philosophy toward the environment or natural world? </p><p>Leading Class Discussions of Readings After the first several classes, three or four students will be responsible for leading/facilitating class discussion of the assigned reading for the day. The course will be primarily a discussion format. The following questions should be addressed, but need not be followed exactly in this order. . </p><p>Guidelines for leading discussion of readings:</p><p>1 What is the main thesis/argument/position of each article? 2 What are some important supporting points, arguments, illustrations? 3 What unusual/unique terms or language does the author use? 4 What is the author’s worldview (God, humans, other species, inanimate objects)? 5 What points seem solid and what points seem weak to you? 6 What did you like or dislike about the author’s arguments/style? 7 What don’t you understand or want clarified? 8 What is your own opinion on this topic and why? Group Research Project and Oral Class Presentation Your group will be responsible for educating the class concerning a particular environmental issue in Alabama or adjoining state and its actual or potential relationship to spiritual concerns. Your presentation should be about 45 minutes long (one-half of a class period). You will be graded as a group for your project and as an individual for your contribution. Although this is a group presentation, individuals will become “experts” on different aspects of your topic.</p><p>The Project must include:  Environmental, historical, social, political aspects  How spiritual concerns relate to the issue  “Fieldwork” is encouraged</p><p>Groups must do the following:  Provide the class with an article at least one class before your presentation.  Your presentation will be enhanced if you include more than library research. In other words, as part of your research, you may interview someone directly involved with your topic, view a film, visit an organization related to the topic, etc. If you have trouble figuring out how to do this, talk to me.</p><p>Each student must: At the class following the presentation, submit a typed outline of your portion of the group presentation (at least 2 pages and detailed) and a bibliography of at least 5 sources, 4 from journals and books.</p><p>Potential Group Research Projects/Presentations RE: Alabama and Adjoining States Anniston incinerator/environmental racism-classism Water wars between Alabama and Georgia Chip Mills in the South Herbicide use by power companies and county road departments PCB’s and Monsanto in Anniston Emelle, Chambers County, AL: Largest toxic waste dump in U.S. Sustaining the Cahaba River/the Big Sewer fight, etc. Clear cutting and pine plantations Organic/family farming Watershed protection (Cahaba, Black Warrior, Coosa: Mobile Bay drainage) Dam controversies (Tallapoosa, Duck River, Black Warrior near Tuscaloosa) Sprawl vs. Smart Growth: 10-County Plan National Forest preservation/management: Bankhead, Talladega; Federal Healthy Forest Initiative Biodiversity and Extinctions in Alabama Alabama Department of Environmental Management: protector or abuser? Nuclear waste disposal in the S.E. TVA dumping of coal ash spill in Perry County, Al. Airborn toxins in Jefferson County (near BSC) Coal-fired generating plants in Alabama Offshore drilling Other</p><p>Sipsey Wilderness Hike</p><p>On a day chosen by the class, we will hike in the spectacular Sipsey Wilderness. We will hike into the back country through canyons and waterfalls to the “Big Tree,” the largest tree in Alabama. This is a strenuous hike and should only be attempted by those who are able. I will exempt those who go on the hike from one reading response paper. There is one class less than the regular number for the semester to accommodate this hike.</p><p>All papers submitted in this course are expected to reflect careful work characteristic of a college level. Persistent errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and documentation are unacceptable. You are strongly urged to make use of the excellent tutors at the Writing Center when completing your paper. For its hours and services in the Humanities Center, Room 102, check its website at http://www.bsc.edu/humanities/English/Writing Center/default.htm</p><p>I reserve the right to make changes in the course with appropriate notice.</p><p>Participation in this course assumes adherence to the Honor Code.</p>