The EARS school consists of two phases the 'lecture' phase and the 'study tour' or 'outreach' phase.

Lecture Phase

   The state of the environment and its resources is one of the key issues facing the modern world. The environment movement, which began in the 1970's, today reflects many different philosophies and perspectives. The EARS School lays the foundation for a Christian approach to creation care, and develops some fundamental areas of understanding of how the world works and how we are to care for it. Topics covered include:

    a. A Christian perspective of ecology
    b. Principles of environmental systems
    c. The impact of communities on the environment
    d. Stewardship and resource development
    e. Strategies for environmental education.
   

   Each of the twelve weeks of the lecture phase has a different focus that is taught either by school staff or expert guest lecturers who come to the campus to share for a week. Every school covers the needed material with a slightly differently shuffling of week topics and independent and group project study depending on the strengths of their location. Sample topic focuses for the weeks are:

    Biblical Basis of Environmental Stewardship;
    Cultural Ecology and Economy, God's Ecology and Economy;
    Practical Ecological Foundations;
    Transformation and the Kingdom of God (Sustainable Development);
    Ecology, Economy and Creation - Worldviews in Conflict;
    Economics and the Environment;
    Linking Sustainability, Conservation, and Biodiversity with Production Income, and Wealth;
    Applied Resource Sciences - Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Silviculture;
    Stewarding God's Resources - Agroforestry, Soil Conservation, Ethnobotany;
    Stewarding God's Resources - Water and Health;
    EARS Life Skills Education - Knowledge Transfer, Capacity Building, Youth and Adult Ed.;
    Environmental Education;
    Participating in a Healthy Environment (Participatory Methodology);
    Team Building and Project Planning;
    Appropriate and Alternative technologies;
    Building Relationships and Sharing good news through Creation Care;
    Economics and the Environment (The big picture);
    Micro Economics / Self Help Groups;

Study Tour Phase

    The field assignment provides an opportunity to do on-site environmental surveys and evaluations, and to develop and implement strategies for biblical stewardship.


   Prerequisites

   Completion of the Discipleship Training School (DTS) and field assignment or Crossroads DTS and field assignment, Introduction to Biblical Counseling (IBC) and field assignment or other clinical counseling experience.


   Credits

   20 - 24 credits will be earned upon successful completion of the school.