Projects

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Yale Master’s Degrees

Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim teach in two master’s degree programs at Yale University:

Joint MA in Religion and Ecology

The Yale School of the Environment (YSE) and Yale Divinity School (YDS) offer a joint Master’s degree program in religion and ecology. It is aimed at students who wish to integrate the study of environmental issues and religious communities in their professional careers and for those who wish to study the cultural and ethical dimensions of environmental problems. This degree program provides an opportunity to study concurrently in two of Yale University's distinct graduate schools. Students work towards both a Masters of Environmental Management at YSE and either a Master of Arts in Religion or Masters of Divinity at YDS. Within these schools, they are encouraged to take courses in environmental ethics and religion and ecology. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty in both schools, as well as with a number of co-appointed faculty members. Individuals must apply separately to both YSE and YDS and be admitted to both. This joint degree in religion and ecology is the first program of its kind in North America.

For more information on the joint degree, go here.

MAR with a concentration in Religion and Ecology

This MAR (Master of Arts in Religion) is offered through Yale Divinity School (YDS). The concentration in Religion and Ecology is an interdisciplinary program that draws on faculty resources in biblical studies, ethics, liturgical studies, pastoral care, spirituality, theology, and world religions and ecology. It spans the study of eco-theology; eco-spirituality; eco-feminism; theologies of embodiment, place, land, race, and indigeneity; environmental ethics; liturgy and creation; and cosmology and ecology.

For more on the Yale Divinity School MAR, go here.

Note: Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim do not take on PhD students.


Journey of the Universe

This multimedia project presents an epic story of cosmic, Earth, and human evolution. Drawing on the discoveries of modern science and the wisdom of the world's cultures, Journey of the Universe tells a compelling story that reveals our deep connection to the web of life. This film and  book are a collaboration of evolutionary philosopher and cosmologist Brian Thomas Swimme and historian of religions Mary Evelyn Tucker. They weave a tapestry that draws together scientific discoveries in astronomy, geology, biology, ecology, and biodiversity with humanistic insights concerning the nature of the universe and the human. Big science, big history, big story, this one-of-a-kind Journey of the Universe film project was created by an acclaimed team of internationally-recognized scientists, scholars, and award-winning filmmakers.

Film (2011, 56 minutes)
Winner of a 2012 Emmy® Award for best documentary, the film, narrated by Brian Thomas Swimme, weaves an engaging story of the unfolding universe and humanity’s evolving place in it. DVD available from various online retailers and for streaming on Amazon.

Book (2011, 175 pages; Yale University Press)
The Journey of the Universe by Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker integrates the perspectives of the sciences and the humanities into a lyrical telling of our 13.8 billion year story. Translations available in French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Korean, and Chinese.

Conversations (2011, 20 interviews)
This series consists of 20 conversations with scientists, historians, environmentalists, and educators, which deepen our understanding of evolutionary processes and illustrate engaged environmental work, inspired by a universe story perspective. The series is available on DVD and for streaming through Amazon. They are also available as audio podcasts.

Website and Curricular Materials
The website has related articles and resources, as well as a curriculum designed for use in classrooms, learning centers, places of worship, and conferences. We also offer a new Teacher’s Guide specific to secondary school education.

Go here to sign up for the Journey Newsletter


Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim have created two series of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) at Yale through the Coursera platform:

 

  1. Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community
    • Introduction to Religion and Ecology
    • Indigenous Religions and Ecology
    • South Asian Religions and Ecology
    • East Asian Religions and Ecology
    • Western Religions and Ecology
    • Christianity and Ecology
  2. Journey of the Universe: A Story for Our Times
    • Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life
    • Journey of the Universe: Weaving Knowledge and Action
    • The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community

These courses may be audited free of charge and can be completed at one’s own pace. The Journey courses are now also available in Chinese.


Thomas Berry

The Yale Forum and its directors carry forth the legacy of their mentor, Thomas Berry. They manage the Thomas Berry Foundation, which is dedicated to carrying out the “great work” of enhancing the flourishing of the Earth community. Created in 1998, the Foundation has promoted Thomas’s ideas through publications & translations of his essays, initiating an archive for his papers at Harvard, creating the Thomas Berry Award and Lecture, and more.

In Spring 2019, the first official biography of Thomas Berry was published by Columbia University Press. Written by Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim, and Andrew Angyal, this volume traces the evolution of Thomas’ life and thought and sets it firmly in the arc of contemporary history.

For more information on the life and work of Thomas, the Foundation, and Thomas Berry: A Biography, go to the Thomas Berry site here.

Thomas Berry Foundation
The mission of the Thomas Berry Foundation is to carry out the “great work” of enhancing the flourishing of the Earth community. Created in 1998, the Foundation has promoted Thomas’ ideas through publications and translations of his essays, initiating an archive for him at Harvard, creating the Thomas Berry Award and Lecture, developing the Journey of the Universe project, and supporting the work of the American Teilhard Association.

Thomas Berry: A Biography
The first official biography of Thomas Berry was published by Columbia University Press in spring 2019. Written by Mary Evelyn Tucker, John Grim, and Andrew Angyal, this volume traces the evolution of Thomas’ life and thought and sets it firmly in the arc of history. Visit the Thomas Berry website for more information.


Earth Charter

The Earth Charter is a declaration of interdependence that arose from a decade long drafting process that was highly participatory, involving input from civil society, religious communities, educators, government officials, and business leaders. It is centrally concerned with the transition to flourishing ways of living and sustainable human development. Ecological integrity is one major theme. However, the Earth Charter recognizes that the goals of ecological protection, the eradication of poverty, equitable economic development, respect for human rights, democracy, and peace are interdependent and indivisible. It provides, therefore, a new, inclusive, integrated ethical framework to guide the transition to a sustainable future. Mary Evelyn Tucker was involved in the three-year drafting process of the Charter from 1997-2000. She was a member of the Earth Charter International Council from 2000- 2013. 

Read key essays on the Earth Charter here.