TRN140Y1: Ethics, Humans, & Nature
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to ethical issues arising from the way humans interact with nature. Students will study some theoretical approaches for evaluating how human society affects the planet, ecosystems and other animals. Theories will be drawn from philosophy, theology and ecology, and will include Western and non-Western approaches to living in harmony with one’s environment. Key themes may include speciesism – the idea that human needs are the most important – as well as overpopulation, extinction, vegetarianism and responsible resource management. The course will also look at how social policy shapes human choices and whether sustainability initiatives should be pursued through the public or private sector. The course will also discuss the spiritual connection between humans and the environment and how society can be organized to promote access to nature in urban communities.
Breadth Requirement: 0.5 FCE 2) Thought, Belief and Behaviour + 0.5 FCE 3) Society and Its Institutions
HOW WILL I BE EVALUATED?
- Mock Debate
- Reflections
- Book Report
- Reading Discussions
- Presentation
- Participation
Note: assignments can vary from year to year
WHAT SKILLS CAN I GAIN FROM THIS COURSE?
- Analyzing readings and curating your perspectives on varying topics
- A broad understanding of a human relationship with nature
- Reading academic research papers
- Writing technical papers and reports
- Interpersonal skills
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2022-2023 COURSE INSTRUCTOR
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Director, Trinity Integrated Sustainability Initiative Email: stephen.scharper@utoronto.ca Research Interests: Past research concerns the involvement of religion in environmental concerns, and the type of rethinking within religious traditions the ecological challenge has spawned, especially in the areas of cosmology, ontology, religious anthropology, and ethics, with a specialization on the possibilities, prospects, and challenges of Christian involvement in this emerging conversation. Current research builds on my previous investigation into the ontological questions of the human role brought into question by ecological concerns and examines issues of poverty and social justice in connection to ecological approaches. I am continuing to probe the implications of the preferential option for the poor and a liberationist perspective for environmental studies. My research explores the question to what extent the “ecological crisis” runs along the same fault lines as economic, political, racial and gendered oppression, and the challenges raised by religious juxtaposition of social justice perspectives and cosmological perspectives in an environmental context. Interesting fact: Stephen is a supporter of many environmental initiatives, such as the annual Ecologos Water Docs Film Festival. |
Stephen Scharper, PhD
Contact Us:
Susan He
Program Coordinator, Margaret MacMillan Trinity One
trinityone@trinity.utoronto.ca
