Theology and Ecology

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

People live and act in an ecological theater created by God that includes all other living organisms and their ecosystems within the biosphere. Urgent questions abound today about what our relationship and responsibilities are to the rest of the natural world. This course examines our relationship to God, creation, and one another through two foci: integral ecology and watershed theology. In Laudato si’, Pope Francis uses integral ecology—the intersection and interaction of natural ecology and human ecology—to address ecological concerns. Within this integral ecology framework, we will examine a theology of creation and theological anthropology—our God-given identity and mission—as it relates to the Great Lakes watershed of which we are a part. We will examine four major topics about our home watershed: biodiversity and invasive species, water use and pollution, food and agriculture, and energy. As ecological citizens and creatures of God, we will also examine, in the context of integral ecology, the connection between Catholic liturgy and ecology, addressing the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Marriage. Each of these Sacraments entails ecological consequences and responsibilities in how followers of Jesus Christ live out their ecclesial beliefs. Note, for the Sacrament of Marriage, we shall be examining human sexuality from an integral ecology perspective. This course will have a special appeal to students interested in the intersection of theology and science, especially ecology and environmental studies.