INTRODUCTION TO REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

About Course

Course Description:

This course seeks to reconcile the disparity between human practices and God’s intentional design for nature, fostering a harmonious relationship between human systems and the natural world. By integrating our inner and outer selves, cultural, psychological, and relational dimensions, students will optimize the regenerative potential of the world’s resources, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationships between human activities, environmental degradation, and climate change. Through a transformative learning experience, students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to address climate change’s underlying causes, promote regenerative development at individual, organizational, and societal levels, and transition from exploitation to mutualism and regeneration. By embracing regenerative development principles, students will learn to work in harmony with nature, contributing to a society that values growth, renewal, and sustainability.

Course Objectives

Understand the principles of regenerative development and its relationship with nature.
Analyze the impact of human activities on the environment and the need for regenerative development.
Evaluate the role of individuals, organizations, and societies in promoting regenerative development.
Develop strategies for applying regenerative development principles in personal and professional contexts.
Cultivate a biblical worldview of regenerative development and its implications for Christian living.

Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
1. Define and explain the principles of regenerative development and its relationship with nature.
2. Analyze the impact of human activities on the environment and identify strategies for promoting regenerative development.
3. Integrate biblical principles with regenerative development practices.
4. Evaluate the role of individuals, organizations, and societies in promoting regenerative development.
5. Develop strategies for applying regenerative development principles in personal and professional contexts.
6. Communicate effectively about regenerative development principles and practices.
7. Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and growth in the area of regenerative development.
8. Apply regenerative development principles to address real-world environmental challenges.
9. Collaborate with others to promote regenerative development at individual, organizational, and societal levels.
10. Reflect critically on the relationship between human development and environmental sustainability.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Regenerative Development

Topic: Defining Regenerative Development
Biblical Text: Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 24:1
Readings: – Benyus, J. M. (2002). Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. HarperCollins. – McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to cradle: Remaking the way we make things. North Point Press.
Assignment: Write a 2-page reflection on the concept of regenerative development.

Module 2: The State of the Environment

Module 3: Principles of Regenerative Development

Module 4: Regenerative Development in Practice

Module 5: Individual Roles in Regenerative Development

Module 6: Organizational Roles in Regenerative Development

Module 7: Societal Roles in Regenerative Development

Module 8: Regenerative Development and Spirituality

Module 9: Regenerative Development and Social Justice

Module 10: Regenerative Development and Economics

Module 11: Regenerative Development and Technology

Module 12: Regenerative Development and Policy

Module 13: Regenerative Development in Practice

Module 14: Final Project and Presentation

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About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Regenerative Development

Topic: Defining Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 24:1

Readings: – Benyus, J. M. (2002). Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. HarperCollins. – McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to cradle: Remaking the way we make things. North Point Press.

Assignment: Write a 2-page reflection on the concept of regenerative development.

Module 2: The State of the Environment

Topic: Environmental Degradation and Its Impacts

Biblical Text: Genesis 2:15, Psalm 104:24

Readings: – IPCC (2020). Climate change 2020: Impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation. Cambridge University Press. – WWF (2020). Living planet report 2020: Bending the curve of biodiversity loss. WWF International.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of the state of the environment and its implications for human societies.

Module 3: Principles of Regenerative Development

Topic: Understanding Regenerative Development Principles

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 12:42-48

Readings: – Savory, A. (2013). The grazing revolution: A radical approach to raising livestock. Island Press.

Readings: Readings: – Savory,Readings: Mang, P., & Haggard, B. (2016). Regenerative development: A framework for integrating sustainability, social justice, and spirituality. Journal of Sustainability Education, 12.

Assignment: Write a 2-page reflection on the principles of regenerative development.

Module 4: Regenerative Development in Practice

Topic: Case Studies of Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Proverbs 22:29, Matthew 5:13-16

Readings: – Hawken, P. (2017). Drawdown: The most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming. Penguin Books. – Benyus, J. M. (2002). Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. HarperCollins.

Assignment: Write a 2-page case study of a regenerative development project.

Module 5: Individual Roles in Regenerative Development

Topic: Personal Responsibility and Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 12:42-48

Readings: – McKibben, B. (2019). Falter: Has the human game begun to play itself out? Henry Holt and Company.

Readings: -Ostrom, E. (2010). A polycentric approach to climate change. In P. A. Victor & B. Dolter (Eds.), Handbook on growth and sustainability (pp. 25-42). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Assignment: Write a 2-page reflection on personal responsibility and regenerative development.

Module 6: Organizational Roles in Regenerative Development

Topic: Organizational Strategies for Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Proverbs 22:29, Matthew 5:13-16

Readings: – Savitz, A. W., & Weber, K. (2013). The triple bottom line: How today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social, and environmental success—and how you can too. Jossey-Bass.

Readings: Elkington, J. (1998). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business. New Society Publishers.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of organizational strategies for regenerative development.

Module 7: Societal Roles in Regenerative Development

Topic: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 12:42-48

Readings: – UN (2020). Sustainable development goals. United Nations. – IPBES (2019). Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services. IPBES Secretariat.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of policy and regulatory frameworks for regenerative development.

Module 8: Regenerative Development and Spirituality

Topic: Integrating Spirituality and Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Psalm 24:1, Colossians 1:15-20

Readings: – Berry, T. (2015). The great work: Our way into the future. Bell Tower. – Swimme, B. (2014). The universe is a green dragon: A cosmic creation story. Lindisfarne Books.

Assignment: Write a 2-page reflection on the relationship between spirituality and regenerative development.

Module 9: Regenerative Development and Social Justice

Topic: Addressing Social Justice through Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 4:18-19

Readings: – Bullard, R. D. (2018). Dumping in Dixie: Race, class, and environmental quality. Routledge. – Shiva, V. (2016). Staying alive: Women, ecology, and development. North Atlantic Books.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of the relationship between regenerative development and social justice.

Module 10: Regenerative Development and Economics

Topic: Rethinking Economics for Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:13-21

Readings: – Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist. Random House.

Readings: Daly, H. E. (2014). From uneconomic growth to a steady-state economy. In P. A. Victor & B. Dolter (Eds.), Handbook on growth and sustainability (pp. 25-42). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of the relationship between regenerative development and economics.

Module 11: Regenerative Development and Technology

Topic: Leveraging Technology for Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 19:1-6

Readings: – Rifkin, J. (2014). The zero marginal cost society: The internet of things, the collaborative commons, and the eclipse of capitalism. Palgrave Macmillan.

Readings: Lovins, A. B. (2011). Reinventing fire: Bold business solutions for the new energy era. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of the role of technology in regenerative development.

Module 12: Regenerative Development and Policy

Topic: Policy and Governance for Regenerative Development

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 12:42-48

Readings: – UN (2020). Sustainable development goals. United Nations. – IPBES (2019). Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services. IPBES Secretariat.

Assignment: Write a 2-page analysis of policy and governance frameworks for regenerative development.

Module 13: Regenerative Development in Practice

Topic: Implementing Regenerative Development in Practice

Biblical Text: Proverbs 22:29, Matthew 5:13-16

Readings: – Savory, A. (2013). The grazing revolution: A radical approach to raising livestock. Island Press.

Mang, P., & Haggard, B. (2016). Regenerative development: A framework for integrating sustainability, social justice, and spirituality. Journal of Sustainability Education, 12.

Assignment: Write a 2-page case study of a regenerative development project.

Module 14: Final Project and Presentation

Topic: Final Project and Presentation

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 12:42-48

Readings: Review of course materials

Assignment: Submit a final project that demonstrates understanding of regenerative development principles and practices. Present the project in class.

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