The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community
4.7
stars
118 ratings
•
31 reviews
John Grim +1 more instructor Enroll for Free
Starts Jul 18
Financial aid available
5,592 already enrolled
Offered By
About
Instructors
Syllabus
Reviews
Enrollment Options
FAQ
About this Course
3,311 recent views
Thomas Berry (1914-2009) was a historian of world religions and an early voice awakening moral sensibilities to the environmental crisis. He is known for articulating a “new story” of the universe that explores the implications of the evolutionary sciences and cultural traditions for creating a flourishing future.
This course investigates Berry’s life and thought in relation to the Journey of the Universe project. It draws on his books, articles, and recorded lectures to examine such ideas as: the New Story, the Great Work, and the emerging Ecozoic era. The course explores Berry’s insights into cosmology as a context for locating the human in a dynamic unfolding universe and thus participating in the creative work of our times. In particular, we will examine Berry’s reflections on renewal and reform in the areas of ecology, economics, education, spirituality, and the arts. Course Rationale: Thomas Berry was an original, creative, and comprehensive thinker, especially regarding the critical nature of our global environmental crisis. His intellectual importance resides in his response to the ecological crisis by bringing together the humanities and science in an evolutionary narrative. In addition, he articulated the need for the moral participation of the world religions in addressing environmental issues. He came to this realization largely through his study of cosmologies embedded within religious traditions. Sensing the significance of these stories as “functional cosmologies” he explored the widespread influence that these stories transmitted through a tradition, for example, in rituals, ethics, and subsistence practices.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Approx. 25 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Russian, English, Spanish
Offered by
Yale University
For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Content Rating99%(1,216 ratings)
WEEK1
1 hour to complete
Welcome to The Worldview of Thomas Berry: the Flourishing of the Earth Community
Learn what this course is about, who's teaching it, and other ways you can explore this topic. Meet and greet your peers as well!
1 video (Total 11 min), 6 readingsSEE LESS
1 video
Course Introduction10m
6 readings
Course Description10m
Pre-Course Survey10m
Meet Your Instructional Team10m
Recommended Texts10m
Books of Thomas Berry10m
Additional Berry resources10m
3 hours to complete
Introduction - Thomas Berry as Cultural Historian
Mary Evelyn and John talk about their first encounters with Thomas Berry.
3 videos (Total 54 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzesSEE LESS
3 videos
Dialogue: Tucker and Grim, “The Worldview of Thomas Berry”22m
“Thomas Berry Speaks,” filmed by Marty Ostrow27m
Brian Swimme's Thomas Berry intro3m
2 readings
“Life and Thought: Introduction,” by J Grim and ME Tucker15m
Thomas Berry Website20m
2 practice exercises
Thomas Berry as a Cultural Historian30m
Introduction - Thomas Berry as Cultural Historian30m
WEEK2
5 hours to complete
Thomas Berry’s Study of World Cultures and Religions
Thomas Berry was a scholar of Earth’s cultures; someone who inspired others to understand that the scientific story of the universe was a primary revelation, on the part with the world’s religions, and needing to be integrated with world’s cultures.
6 videos (Total 128 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzesSEE LESS
6 videos
Tucker and Grim, “Thomas Berry and the Encounter with World Religions.22m
(Part 1) “The Universe and Religion” by Thomas Berry13m
(Part 2) “The Universe and Religion” by Thomas Berry11m
(Part 3) “The Universe and Religion” by Thomas Berry31m
(Part 4) “The Universe and Religion” by Thomas Berry45m
Thomas Berry, a Scholar of World Cultures3m
4 readings
Forum on Religion and Ecology20m
Thomas Berry: Selected Writings on the Earth Community (Chapter 5)30m
Thomas Berry: Selected Writings on the Earth Community (Chapter 6)30m
Asian Art Highlights from Yale University Art Gallery15m
2 practice exercises
Thomas Berry’s Study of World Cultures and Religions30m
Thomas Berry’s Study of World Cultures and Religions30m
WEEK3
3 hours to complete
Influence of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Learn how Pierre Teilhard de Chardin inspired Thomas Berry. Discover Special Relativity as a way of showing the omnipresence of the “within.”
3 videos (Total 47 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzesSEE LESS
3 videos
(Part 1) Teilhard de Chardin in an Age of Ecology,” an interview of Thomas Berry with Jane Blewett20m
(Part 2) Teilhard de Chardin in an Age of Ecology,” an interview of Thomas Berry with Jane Blewett23m
Teilhard de Chardin's influence on Berry's thoughts3m
3 readings
“Teilhard in the Ecological Age,” by Thomas Berry, in Teilhard in the 21st Century. Edited by Arthur Fabel and Donald St John, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 200310m
Audio: Thomas Berry on Teilhard de Chardin at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, NYC.32m
Teilhard Association Websites30m
2 practice exercises
Teilhard de Chardin in the Age of Ecology30m
Influence of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin30m
WEEK4
3 hours to complete
“The New Story”
Thomas Berry’s Differentiation, Subjectivity, and Communion as the overall guidance the New Story provides for humanity.
3 videos (Total 45 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzesSEE LESS
3 videos
(Part 1) “The New Story,” by Thomas Berry18m
(Part 2) “The New Story,” by Thomas Berry21m
Differentiation, Subjectivity, and Communion4m
3 readings
"The New Story," by Thomas Berry, Teilhard Studies #1, Teilhard Association, Winter 1978.20m
Chapter 1 from Thomas Berry: Selected Writings on the Earth Community20m
Journey of the Universe website10m
2 practice exercises
Thomas Berry's New Story30m
“The New Story”30m
Show More
Reviews
4.7
31 reviews
5 stars
83.89%
4 stars
11.01%
3 stars
1.69%
2 stars
0.84%
1 star
2.54%
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE WORLDVIEW OF THOMAS BERRY: THE FLOURISHING OF THE EARTH COMMUNITY
by MDec 7, 2019
I have just completed the 3-course specialization that included this course. All excellent, inspirational, and hopeful. This content is essential for emergence into the Ecozoic Era.
by USJun 23, 2019
I love Thomas Berry and they way he is able to tell us the story of the universe. This is an amazing course, an eye opener and a spiritual journey overall. Thank You.
by TASep 29, 2017
This course will give new insight, grand thought concerning everything, the all things exist in the universe, to you. I want you to have these things as I have.
by JBMar 20, 2017
A fantastic course that deepened my understanding of the brilliant thought of Thomas Berry, bringing to life his personal story and the stories he told.View all reviews
