Topics in Religion, Nature, and Ecology (261-0-20)

Topic

Cultivating Environmental Consciousness

Instructors

Mark McClish

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Topic: Cultivating Environmental Consciousness

This course is an experimental, constructive, student-led inquiry into the idea of environmental consciousness, a term recently used by philosopher Michael Bonnett to posit an intrinsic relationship between consciousness and nature. He argues that education should be ecologized by aiming to help students develop environmental consciousness as a responsive receptivity to nature.

In this course we will explore the idea of environmental consciousness by developing and carrying out nature-based practices meant to help us understand its feasibility as a basis for education. Students will collectively design, undertake, and assess these practices. In doing so we will reflect on our relationship with nature and the environment, the goals of education, conceptions of learning and assessment, the putative distinction between the secular and religious, and the relationship between educational practices and climate catastrophe.

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area