Overview

In 1967, Lynn White Junior published an influential article accusing Christianity of being significantly responsible for the environmental problems beginning to be perceived in the West - the 'root' of the 'ecologic crisis'.

The module will consider the responses of Christianity to this suggestion and will examine its historical relationship with the natural world. There will also be an exploration of other Western religions, both Abrahamic and pagan. Focus will also be placed upon a variety of other interactions between religion and environmentalism that have taken place in the Western world, including those associated with James Lovelock’s Gaia hypothesis. Specific areas of environmental concern, such as climate change and nuclear technology will be considered in terms of their relationship with religious discussion and attention will be given to the complex interaction of politics, environmentalism and religion within this area of debate.

In 1967, Lynn White Junior published an influential article accusing Christianity of being significantly responsible for the environmental problems beginning to be perceived in the West - the 'root' of the 'ecologic crisis'.

The module will consider the responses of Christianity to this suggestion and will examine its historical relationship with the natural world. There will also be an exploration of other Western religions, both Abrahamic and pagan. Focus will also be placed upon a variety of other interactions between religion and environmentalism that have taken place in the Western world, including those associated with James Lovelock’s Gaia hypothesis. Specific areas of environmental concern, such as climate change and nuclear technology will be considered in terms of their relationship with religious discussion and attention will be given to the complex interaction of politics, environmentalism and religion within this area of debate.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold: D- to D+

Work submitted is sufficient and shows an acceptable level of skill as follows: - Correct on the whole but contains errors and omitted elements. - Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning. - The work has a framework but lacks clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make connections and assumptions. - Using a relatively narrow range of material.

Good: C- to C +

The work presented is skilful throughout and from time to time there is excellent style and method and an excellent choice of supporting materials. It shows: - A good framework and logically developed arguments. - It uses, at least in part, material obtained and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way that is unique to the student. - On the whole the claims are based on evidence and on sound reasoning. - Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

Very good: B- to B+

The work presented is skilful throughout and you can see style and method and a choice of supporting materials that excel. It shows: - A very good framework and logically developed arguments. - Uses material obtained and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way that is unique to the student. - The claims are based on evidence and sound reasoning. - Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

Excellent: A- to A*

The work presented is of an exceptional standard and is excellent in one or more of the following ways: - It contains original explanations with the student's own ideas clearly evident. - It gives clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study. - Arguments are presented clearly enabling the reader to consider step by step in order to reach conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

• assess the relative merits of Christian and western pagan views of the natural world

• consider the social and political background to contemporary debates about environmentalism in the church

• critically assess the ethical value of biblical portrayals of nature

• critically assess the value of Gaia theory for environmental thought

• engage with the strengths and weaknesses of various medieval models of the human-nature relationship