ASIAN 4489 - [Religion and Sustainability: Traditionalist Discourses in the Twenty First Century]

(crosslisted)
(also RELST 4489) @ (CA-AS)

Fall. 4 credits.

Next offered 2012–2013. Permission of instructor is required.

J.M. Law.

This course explores the relationship between various religious traditions and different environmental concerns. This class will focus on cases from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Jain and Christian (Roman Catholic primarily) discourses on the natural world. We explore a variety of models of formulating the human/natural relationship: dominion, stewardship, illusion, primary sacrality and alienation. We study specific case studies and read works of contemporary writers on religion and the environment. A number of field trips to regional religious centers working on environmental concerns (farming, animal rights, burial and industry) are also a part of this class. (RL)