Relig, Politics, Common Good

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The unprecedented assault on the common goods of land, air, sea, and biological diversity endangers the shared ecological home of the community of life on earth and poses new challenges to the practice of religion and politics. This course will examine contemporary interpretations of religion and politics in relation to the ecological crisis threatening the common good of all creatures on earth. The course will begin with Sallie King’s presentation of the principles of Socially Engaged Buddhism for addressing the issues of philosophy and ethics, spirituality, war and peace, economics, ecology, human rights and criminal justice, and challenging tradition. We will study Daniel Scheid’s reflection on the cosmic common good as understood in Catholic social teaching in dialogue with Hindu, Buddhist, and American Indian traditions. We will explore how John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker analyze the transformed role of religion today in relation to ecological threats to the common good and their confidence in the resources of Christianity, Confucianism, Indigenous Traditions, and Hinduism to work together to respond to this situation. We will examine resources for shaping ecological and political solidarities in the aftermath of the history of colonialism in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and efforts to cultivate deep listening and shape appropriate identities.