Teaching Area: Religion, Theology and Ethics
Phil/Rel 91: Contemporary Ethical Issues
Religion 1: Introduction to Religion
Religion 140: Ecological Ethics
Religion 151: Gender and Sexuality in Theology
and Ethics
Religion 155: Liberation & Feminist Theologies
First Year Seminar: Earth Community, Earth
Ethics: Religion, Nature, and
the Environment
Honors 156/Religion 151: New Voices, New
Views: Christian Teaching in a
Contemporary Context
I am interested in exploring the intersection between ecological and social justice issues in theology and ethics. Within this framework I have three primary areas of interest and expertise: ecological ethics and views of nature in religion and culture, issues of gender and sexuality in theology and ethics (with particular attention to feminist/womanist and lesbian/gay theologies), and liberation theologies and social change, especially in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In addition I both teach and work in the field of biomedical ethics (I serve on the Bioethics Committee at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines' largest medical center).
Books
Gay and Gaia: Ethics, Ecology and the Erotic. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1996.
Scholarly Articles and Publications:
"Ecological and Social Transformations and the Construction of Race and Place: A View from Iowa." To be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Religion and Ecology Section, San Francisco, CA, November 24, 1997.
"Pedagogical Issues and Teaching Models for Eco-Justice." In Theology for Earth Community: A Field Guide, Dieter Hessel, ed. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1996, 208-221.
"From Dislocation to Eco-Location: The Concept of Ecological Location and Autobiography as the Starting Point for Critical Reflection in a Liberationist Ecological Ethic." In A Rainbow of Religious Studies, J. Michael Clark and Robert E. Goss, eds. Las Colinas, Tx: Monument Press, 1996, 119-139.
"Putting Our Bodies on the Line: Markers for Justice; Continuing the Conversation Between Lesbians and Gay Men in Religion." Co-authored with Robin Gorsline. In The Journal of Men's Studies, Vol. 4, No. 3, February 1996, 291-309.
Special Issue: "Gay Men's Issues in Religious Studies." Coedited with J. Michael Clark. The Journal of Men's Studies, Vol. 4, No. 3, February 1996.
"Church at the Margins." In Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection. James B. Nelson and Sandra P. Longfellow, eds. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1994, 397-401.
"Shattering the Image, Revisioning the Body: Toward Constructing a Gay and Lesbian
Ecclesiology." In Spirituality and Community: Diversity in Lesbian and Gay Experience. J. Michael Clark and Michael L. Stemmeler, eds. Las Colinas, TX: Monument Press, 1994, 83-109.
"Whose Home? A Response to "To Go Home Again: The Importance of Social
Location in Seminary and Global Education." In The Globalization of Theological Education, Alice Frazer Evans, Robert A. Evans, and David A. Roozen, eds. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1993, 204-212.
"The Liberation of Gaia: An Assessment of Rosemary Ruether's Gaia and God and John Cobb's Sustainability, Economics, and Justice from a Liberationist Perspective." Union Seminary Quarterly Review, Spring, 1994.
"La Iglesia Costarricense frente a la crisis ecológica." Vida y Pensamiento, Vol. 2, No. 2,
Julio-Diciembre, 1982.
Scholarly Presentations--Not Published
"Reclaiming Gay Male Sexual Life and Ethics." Panel Presentation to the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, New Orleans, November 23, 1996.
"Building a Multicultural Curriculum." Paper presented with Dr. Shana Marie Basmarion-Miller to the 8th Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education, Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 1995.
Other Articles and Publications
Review Essay: Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality, by Marvin Ellison. In The Princeton Seminary Bulletin, (forthcoming, 1997).
"Death and Life: Biomedical Ethics and Faith." In Holden Village Accent, September, 1996; with Mary Carlsen.
"Economic Discrimination Against Lesbians and Gay Men." In New Conversations, Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 1994, 22-26.
Review Essay: Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe, by John Boswell. In Trinity News, Summer 1994, Vol. 41, No. 3, 30-32.
Review Essay: Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate, Jeffrey S. Siker, ed. In The Christian Century, November, 1994.
"Church at the Margins: Distinctive Marks of Emerging Gay and Lesbian Ecclesiology."
Christianity and Crisis, Vol. 52, No. 8, May 25, 1992, 174-176.
"The Bible and Homosexuality." Accent, Holden Village, September, 1991, 3-4.
"The Risks of Reconciliation: Confronting Homophobia in the Churches." Sojourners,
July, 1991, 22-23.
"Experiential Education: A Method for Transformation and Liberation." Global
Perspectives, Spring, 1989.
"Models for Learning in Building a Transformative Education." Global Perspectives,
Winter, 1988.
Crossing Borders, Challenging Boundaries: A Guide to the Pedagogy and Philosophy
of the Center for Global Education. Editor and Primary Author, 1988, Center for
Global Education, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, 44 pages.
"El Salvador at the Crossroads." Christianity and Crisis, September 26, 1988.
"Guatemala: One Reality, Many Images." The Other Side, November, 1987.
"Inside Guatemala: Fighting for Health, in Body and Spirit." The Other Side,
August 11, 1986.
"Some Land to Work, Some Peace to Share: Report from the Nicaraguan War Zone."
Christianity and Crisis, May 13, 1985.
Environmental Organizations in Iowa