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but we cannot guarantee that the curriculum resources are still available
or that links to other websites will be active.
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Eco-Curriculum Review for the title
It's God's World: Christians, The Environment and Climate Change
This is the general report format.
Shorter and more detailed report formats are also available for this title.
Short Description:
Contains five one-hour sessions for adult study on the Bible, the environment and the challenges of a changing climate.
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Long Description:
This resource contains five sessions designed to help Christians make some sense of the issues relating to global warming from the perspective of their faith. For each session there is a suggested format for a one-hour study session.
The 2002 edition is available as a free download from
www.webofcreation.org/ncc/articles/godsworld/Gods_World.pdf
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Reviewed by:
Alice Clive, a United Church of Christ laywoman from Connecticut
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Bibliographic & Purchasing Information
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Author:
Vera K White, for the Eco-Justice Working Group, National Council of Churches
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Publication date:
1997, revised 1999, 2002
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Website for this resource:
www.webofcreation.org/ncc/articles/godsworld
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We know of 1 source for purchasing this resource. |
Address |
Environmental Justice Resources National Council of the Churches of Christ PO Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515-0968
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Phone |
800-762-0968 219-264-3102
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Fax |
219-262-0966 |
Website |
www.nccecojustice.org/printedresources.htm
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E-mail |
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Price |
$2.00 each; five or more copies, $1.00 each |
Order # |
EJ 9701 |
Target Audience & Course Sessions
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Age levels
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Preschool Primary Jr. High Sr. High Adult
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Optimum class size
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Can be adapted to any sized group.
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Normal number/length of sessions
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If the curriculum's normal lesson plan is followed, there will be
5 class sessions
each lasting about one hour
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Are suggestions included for expanding/contracting the series?
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"Leaders may want to adapt the study to fit another time frame."
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In the judgement of the reviewer:
using these materials, or even just one session from them, a reasonable, coherent and self-contained class can be offered in a single session of about an hour.
using these materials, a class can be offered that runs for at least two sessions. |
Are learners expected to do homework?
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The only homework is the leaderīs - to prepare for each session in advance. Photocopies of the pages to read must be made in advance, etc.
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Target audience:
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Interfaith - addressed people of many faiths
Judeo-Christian - addressed to Jews & Christians
Christian - addressed explicitly to Christians
Not explicity faith-based - not much religious content
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Note: The reviewer says that this curriculum is especially appropriate for members of the denomination or agency that developed it (Eco-Justice Working Group/Nat. Council of Churches). For example, it may explore a denominational policy statement. The reviewer also believes that it is possible for groups outside that tradition to make good use these materials.
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Materials provided
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Materials include:
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Leader's guide
Student book
Discussion questions
Class activities - arts & crafts
Class activities - group participation | Video
Reading materials
Presentation or lecture notes
Prayer or worship resources | | Other materials required: | Chalkboard or newsprint pad, Bibles, photocopied pages of readings from the leader´s guide. One session requires a snack table and colored slips of paper for one of the activities. | Description of the Leader's Guide: | There is a 17 page leaderīs guide, but no student handbook. The leaderīs guide provides readings that can be photocopied for the participants to use during the sessions. Each of the five sessions spells out the theme, scripture readings, materials that will be needed, and includes a session plan that provides time frames and discussion questions. A closing prayer is also included for most of the sessions. | Description of the Student's Book: | There is no student book. The leader´s guide includes readings that can be photocopied for participants to use at each session. |
Materials review & Assessment of usability
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Are all necessary materials provided in an accessible format?
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Yes - materials are very well laid out and comprehensive
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Is the leader's guide comprehensive?
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Yes - materials are very well laid out and comprehensive
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Are class sessions clearly outlined?
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Yes - materials are very well laid out and comprehensive
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Will it be helpful to have a teacher with above-average expertise in the subject matter?
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Helpful to have teacher expertise
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Preparation time required by the leader: Subjectively rated as heavy, medium or light
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This curriculum focuses specifically on global warming, and as such, it would be helpful if the leader knew more about global warming than the participants.
Having said that, I would characterize the prep time as light, as each session plan is very structured, with time frames, themes, and scripture readings provided.
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Content focus
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Is this curriculum explicitly focused on environmental awareness or action?
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Yes, as a primary focus
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Does this curriculum deal with a specific environmental issue or problem?
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Yes - global warming and climate change.
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How is the scope of the environmental impact positioned?
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Impact on specific human communities
Impact on humans in general
Impact on humans and non-human parts of creation
Impact on non-human parts of creation only
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Does the curriculum address questions of social or economic justice in relation to environmental issues?
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Yes - as part of the topic
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Biblical/theological content
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Does the curriculum have explicit biblical or theological content?
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Yes, as a major emphasis
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How are the Biblical materials used?
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Individual texts are presented as meaningful ('proof texts')
Several texts are developed to show a larger biblical theme
Texts are placed in a historical or cultural context
Texts are presented as authoritative
Students are invited to comment/reflect on the meaning or authority of texts
Biblical texts are of equal importance to other scriptures/readings
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The checked statements reflect how ethical guidelines are grounded
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The Bible tells us how we should live/act
A theological tradition or other authority tells us how we should live/act
We should make decisions about how to live/act based on defined ethical norms
Caring for creation is an assumed norm
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The curriculum views humanity's role in creation as:
The checked lines are clearly affirmed |
Domination
- God created the Earth for human use; there are no real restrictions on what we can or should do.
Stewardship
- "The Earth is the Lord's"" and humans are in a position of managing the creation according to God's will.
Partner
- Humans are part of the web of creation, and participate in it as one species among many.
Intruder
- Humans are separate from nature, and inherently destructive.
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In evaluating changes to "solve" environmental problems, does the curriculum tend toward an approach that is:
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Confessional
- I/we need to change
Confrontational
- Some other person, policy or institutions needs to change
Combination
- a mix of confessional and confrontational
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Content approach
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Which of these are a primary target outcome of the curriculum?
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Increase awareness or concern about the environment in general
Increase awareness of concern about a specific environmental issue
Acquiring factual knowledge about an issue
Changing or deepening personal beliefs
Change in self-awareness or self-identity
Changes in personal behaviors or lifestyle choices
Influence on institutional (church or other) practices
Increased political advocacy
No change, or goal not clear
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Range of perspectives offered:
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A single perspective is offered
Compares 2 or more perspectives
A diversity of perspectives presented
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Eco-Justice Ministries * 400 S Williams St, Denver, CO 80209 *
Home Page: www.eco-justice.org
Eco-Justice Ministries ended all programming on July 31, 2020. This site is an archive of writings and resources.
To contact a representative of the agency by e-mail, please use the contact form
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