This course introduces students to the Anthropocene, one of several proposed terms for the new geological era in which we live, in which humanity has become the dominant force structuring the biosphere. It addresses what this means for critical subsystems in the Earth system, for humanity, and for the development of Earth system governance. Also, it defines the research challenges in social-ecological systems. In addition, it explores alternative approaches to coupled socialecological systems from several disciplinary backgrounds in, for example, anthropology, geography, economics, and ecology. Moreover, it looks at current approaches to measuring and monitoring how ecosystems support human wellbeing. Students are introduced to theoretical concepts, methods for analysis, and conduct group and individual research projects that utilize these concepts and methods.
This course provides students with an introduction to issues and methods in socioecological systems in the context of creation care. Also, it provides a basic knowledge of the socioecological systems and examines case studies on this topic. In addition, it provides necessary skills and a conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating socioecological systems as it pertains to creation care with the natural-, social-, built-and virtual-environments, and engaging in a constructive, missional dialogue with it.
The missional perspective in issues and methods in socioecological systems is one in which the reign of God is realized within the framework of creation care on earth, and how God’s people help to shape and transform the natural-, social-, built-, and virtual-environments. This course teaches the practical process of analyzing issues and methods in socioecological systems while exercising creation care in everyday reality and practice within the body of Christ.
This course focuses on socioecological resilience issues with the scriptures as the foundation for both faith and practice. The student not only studies basic bible truths and learns about socioecological resilience issues, but also studies the text to learn how it speaks to him/her within their cultural context to inform their ministry and missional practices according to the socioecological resilience issues and creation care. A missional perspective of the Bible provides the theological framework for missional and ministry practice in light of the natural-, social-, built- and virtual-environments. This course and program builds on the implications of a theology of mission through socioecological resilience issues and creation care.
This course is driven by the concept that Christian believers should become part of the Missio Dei — the mission of God in this world, which seeks to join in with God where he is at work — in homes and communities — so that we may see the spiritual transformation of people and communities through socioecological resilience and creation care. Students taking this course value a missiological understanding of the Missio Dei (the mission of God) that enables believers to discern where God is at work among peoples in the community and join in God’s mission in the world. This course and program identifies implications of the Missio Dei in relation to missional and ministry practice as it pertains to socioecological resilience and creation care.
Through various resources, students conduct research to be exposed to demographic and sociographic data for their local communities to enable them to develop missional approaches for their local contexts according to socioecological resilience and creation care. The student values various forms of cultural research that inform both the student’s understanding of the natural-, social-, built- and virtual-environmental contexts within their communities and their missional and ministry practice. This course and program incorporates contextual information as foundational for the delivery of missionally-driven implementation according to socioecological resilience and creation care.
This course celebrates the cultural diversity that exists in this world as a reflection of the creative nature of the image of God in humanity. We desire that all peoples would have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We desire that Christian believers learn how to express their faith in their own social context in culturally-appropriate ways, as informed by socioecological resilience and creation care. We value embracing diverse cultures and fostering authentic, culturally-appropriate faith expressions among each cultural group. This course and program embraces culturally-appropriate missional and ministry practice according to socioecological resilience and creation care in the natural-, social-, built- and virtual-environmental
This course calls upon the student to engage individuals, families, groups, organizations and/or communities of the people of God in the theology of resilience and creation care. Also, it requires students to function professionally while they research and apply their learnings in socioecological resilience and creation care. Finally, the student is expected to develop abilities that allow him/her to integrate practice with research inquiry as it relates to socioecological resilience and creation care in the natural-, social-, built- and virtual-environments.
Integrated throughout this course is an experiential orientation including “field practice” where concepts that are discussed in class are lived out in the real world according to socioecological resilience and creation care. Reflection, integration and collaboration flow out of the relationships that are formed between students and faculty. This experiential learning has transformative power to equip students with ministry and missional skills. We value theological and missional reflection conducted within a community of missional and ministry practice that informs and interprets those experiences. This course and program interprets missional and ministry practice by reflecting biblically, theologically and missionally on socioecological resilience and creation care in the natural-, social-, built- and virtual-environments.
