Yale Religion and Ecology?

[EcoBren]

I am in the process of deciding which grad programs to apply to and have stumbled across Yale's joint-degree program, Religion and Ecology. Has anyone in this forum participated in the program? Thoughts?

I am specifically interested in the relationship between religion and landscape. That is to say, the nineteenth century religious attitudes of Americans toward their bioregion, landscape, geography, etc. and in turn, how these attitudes affected the environment and land stewardship.

If I pursue this route, I would prefer to do the MAR concentrated track because I hope to pursue my Ph.D. I'm interested in the historical perspectives of religion in America, however, and not necessarily in how to make contemporary religions more "green." This leaves me with the question of which track to pursue, any ideas?

Thanks!

Edited March 30, 2012 by BrennaJ

[Stringfellow]

Well, you've probably given up on receiving any responses to your query, and I'm not sure if mine will be particularly helpful, but here goes: as an incoming YDS student studying theological ethics, I've spent a lot of time with the work of Willis Jenkins, who I'm guessing is the primary bridge between the religion and ecology arms of this particular degree program, and I can say that his research interests are oriented more toward encouraging environmental activism among religious communities than exploring the history of their ideas and perceptions. Also, it's my impression that the Religion and Ecology degree will include a decent dose of the science and practice of ecology and conservation, which may not be up your alley.

My hunch, given your Ph.D. ambitions, is that it would be best for you to get a degree with the word 'history' somewhere in it, and then to specialize within the broader discipline of history. That would give you more flexibility and more options (just as students of 'ethics' tend to have more flexibility and options than students of 'practical theology').

Steve

[Guest]

I would also like to mention Duke has a phenomenal religion program and a School of the Environment that may suit your interests. They also appear to have a Graduate Certificate in Ecology through the Graduate School. At Duke, you can do a joint-degree program with any other program on Duke's campus, and I believe UNC-CH's as well.

I would assume any university will allow you to do a joint-degree program with religion and ecology, provided the university has a program for both. Ask prospective universities if they would allow you to do this to make sure, but I can say for certain that Duke allows this sort of freedom.

[sacklunch]

I can also verify joint degrees between Duke and UNC-CH. One of my future roommates is doing, I believe, a joint MSW/MTS between the two. You may be able to work out some sort of joint degree that suits your interests, while earning two degrees.