Ecotheology And Love-Based Curriculum In Indonesian Language Learning

Abstract

The global ecological crisis demands a paradigmatic transformation in education, not only as a technical response but also as a spiritual and ethical reconstruction of humanity’s relationship with nature. This study explores the integration of ecotheology and love-based curriculum in Indonesian language learning as an effort to cultivate ecological awareness rooted in spiritual and affective dimensions. Using research and development methods with a design-based research approach, this study involved thirty Indonesian language teachers and four hundred and fifty junior high school students in Bali through three cycles of implementation and revision. The developed curriculum model integrates ecotheological principles including the sacredness of creation, the interdependence of life, and stewardship responsibility with a pedagogy of love emphasizing empathy toward living beings, appreciation of natural beauty, and commitment to ecological action. Research results show that the implementation of this curriculum significantly increased students’ ecological awareness with an effect size of 1.2, developed emotional connections with nature, and promoted pro-environmental behavior in daily life. Thematic analysis of student writing revealed a transformation from anthropocentric to biocentric perspectives, the use of more empathetic and appreciative language toward nature, and personal narratives showing a sense of responsibility for environmental conservation. This study offers theoretical contributions in developing an ecopedagogical framework that integrates spiritual and emotional dimensions, as well as practical contributions in the form of a curriculum model that can be adapted in various Indonesian language education contexts.

Keywords: ecotheology, love-based curriculum, Indonesian language learning, ecological awareness, environmental education