Healing Relationships with Animals explores various dimensions of divine/human/animal relationships and interactions, but with a focus upon healing connections. Thus, the course ranges across the areas of history, theology, ethics, public policy, spirituality, liturgy, pastoral care, psychology, and scientific research concerning the human–animal bond. While Christian theologies of creation and stewardship/ecology are the primary focus, the course considers approaches of other religions for purposes of comparison (and perhaps dialogue).
*The term “animal” in the syllabus and course refers to non-human animals.
Learning Outcomes
- articulate a basic theology of divine/human/animal relationships
- demonstrate familiarity with literature from a range of disciplines connected to studies of divine/human/animal relationships that will allow for further study and reflection
- identify the role of humans in the care and rehabilitation of animals
- describe the role of animals in various therapeutic situations
- ability to interpret aspects of the divine/human/animal relationship to congregational and/or community contexts
- translate and apply material from the course into concrete practices (e.g., liturgical, educational) for congregations and/or communities
Meeting dates are Thursdays for 6 sessions beginning on Thursday, October 23rd. Subsequent sessions are on October 30th, November 6th, Novermber 13th, November 20th, and December 4th. Sessions run from 7 – 8:30pm Eastern.
Instructor: Dr. Westerfield Tucker is Professor of Worship at the School of Theology, and several times has taught a full-credit version of this course at STH. She has partnered with her dogs (Pembroke Welsh Corgis and an Icelandic Sheepdog) in several canine sports (agility, herding, obedience, tracking), and has volunteered with one of her dogs in a reading assistance program. She is a certified judge for Obedience and Rally Obedience with the American Kennel Club. Click here to view her faculty profile.
Materials Needed: (1) Computer and internet capable of video conferencing software Zoom. (2) Scanned excerpts and media links will be distributed in the course syllabus.
Cost: $60 standard or $100 with CEU credit. A $10 discount will be applied for alumni/ae of Boston University School of Theology.