Professor: Jeff Schroeder

4 credits

If “religion” is defined in terms of ultimate concerns, worldview, ethos, and shared rituals, what are our society’s religions? And how are those religions contributing to causing or solving our climate crisis? This course examines the climate-related views and actions of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Shinto practitioners, and Native Americans. It also investigates the popular claim that the pursuit of wealth and protection of free markets and private property have become a de facto religion for many in our modern world. If our society’s ultimate concern is wealth, what does that mean for the climate movement? Through a series of papers and presentations, each student will use conceptions of religion to analyze the core values and beliefs of a community; research the life and work of a religious environmentalist; and collaborate with a classmate on an analysis of root causes of and potential solutions for the climate crisis.