Future of Creation 2009 Course Website Text

Future of Creation 2009 Brochure (PDF)

The Future of Creation 2009

Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World

Chaired by Barbara Rossing and Gayle Woloschak

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 PM — 9:30 PM, February 3 through May 5, 2009

Common Room 350, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

To live faithfully in today's world, we need to face today's problems. At the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), we believe that community coalitions—between scientists and people of faith, between scholars of religion and leaders of religious communities—are necessary to forge a better world. "The Future of Creation: Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World" addresses one key element in making a better world: developing effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to environmental degradation. Through the Future of Creation course, we invite you to learn, reflect, and act in response to today's and tomorrow's environmental crises—informed by contemporary scientific insights, guided by critical religious perspectives, and trained in practical public strategies.

Offered by the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), the Future of Creation course is designed as a graduate-level seminary course and public lecture series. All lectures are free and open to the public. Course credit is available via registration through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) or cross-registration through member schools of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS); the course number is LSTC T/B/I-400. For more information about ZCRS, please visit www.zygoncenter.org, email [email protected], or call 773-256-0670.

I. Ecology: Introduction and Scientific Backgrounds

February 3 (6:30 PM) Introduction to the Course: Barbara Rossing, New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC)

February 3 (8:00 PM) Introduction to the Course: Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University and Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS)

February 10 (6:30 PM) Ecology and Evolution: Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University and ZCRS

February 10 (8:00 PM) Species Diversity: Tatjana Paunesku, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 17 (6:30 PM) Organisms and Habitats: Linda Vick, biology, North Park University

II. Ecological Stresses and Environmental Sustainability

February 17 (8:00 PM) Loss of Species Diversity: Brooke Hecht, ecology, Center for Humans and Nature

February 24 (6:30 PM) Sustainability: Paul Heltne, primatology, Center for Humans and Nature

February 24 (8:00 PM) Population Processes and Extinctions: Chris Mulvaney, Chicago Botanic Gardens and Chicago Wilderness

March 3 Reading Week: No Lectures

March 10 (6:30 PM) Air and Water Pollution: Paul Heltne, primatology, Center for Humans and Nature

March 10 (8:00 PM) Sustainable Strategies for a Sustainable Environment: George Nassos, environmental management, Illinois Institute of Technology

March 17 (6:30 PM) Film: "Renewal"

March 17 (8:00 PM) Practical Ecology and Community Witness: Clare Butterfield, Faith in Place

III. Theological Perspectives and Biblical Backgrounds

March 24 (6:30 PM) Theology of Nature: Philip Hefner, theology, LSTC (emeritus) and ZCRS

March 24 (8:00 PM) Old Testament Reflections: Ted Hiebert, Old Testament, McCormick Theological Seminary

March 31 (6:30 PM) New Testament Reflections: Barbara Rossing, New Testament, LSTC

March 31 (8:00 PM) The Easter Vigil, Ecology, and Liturgy: Ben Stewart, liturgical studies, LSTC

April 7 Holy Week: No Lectures

IV. Open Topics for the Future of Creation

April 14 (6:30 PM) Advocacy Discussion: Drew Genszler, public advocacy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

April 21 (Time TBA) Earth Day Program

April 28 (6:30 PM) Student Project Presentations

May 5 (6:30 PM) Student Project Presentations

About the Future of Creation Course

To live faithfully in today's world, we need to face today's problems. At the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), we believe that community coalitions—between scientists and people of faith, between scholars of religion and leaders of faith communities—are necessary to forge a better world. "The Future of Creation: Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World" addresses one key element in making a better world: developing effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to environmental degradation. We invite you to:<o:p></o:p> Learn from leading scientists as they explain ecological systems and environmental threats. Find out more about how human action contributes to environmental degradation.<o:p></o:p> Reflect on your responsibilities to the care of creation with help from theologians and biblical scholars. Consider new interpretations of the ways that our religious traditions guide us to respond to environmental crises.<o:p></o:p> Act to improve environmental stewardship in your community. Learn and apply strategies for community and parish-based action developed by experienced organizers.<o:p></o:p> Course Credit and Registration<o:p></o:p> The Future of Creation course is designed as a graduate-level seminary course and public lecture series. All lectures are free and open to the public. Course credit is available via registration through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) or cross-registration through member schools of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS); the course number is LSTC T/B/I-400. For more information about ZCRS, please visit <a href="http://www.zygoncenter.org">www.zygoncenter.org</a>, email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>, or call 773-256-0670.<o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>