Harvard’s Unique Course on the Connection Between Black People and Nature
Harvard University offers a course focusing on the relationships between Black individuals and elements of nature like trees and water. This development comes amid increasing scrutiny of higher education concerning its effectiveness, diversity initiatives, and rising tuition costs.
Titled “The Aquatic, Arboreal, and Atmospheric Life of Black People,” the course aims to delve into how Black communities relate to water, trees, climate, and other natural elements, as stated on the university’s site.
The course description mentions its exploration of the intersections between Black ecology and Black religious practices. It aims to uncover how these connections can lead to new ways of thinking, challenging established views on environmental issues such as climate change and resource extraction.
Harvard University has a course on what it’s like to be black in the water, in the trees, and in the sky.
— Roman Helmet Guy (@romanhelmetguy) February 13, 2026
This Ivy League offering is part of the curriculum at Harvard Divinity School, where students earn four credits in Religious and Theological Studies.
Interestingly, Harvard didn’t reply to inquiries concerning this course.
The cost of attending Harvard can be pretty steep, typically nearing $60,000 annually, though students from families earning less than $200,000 may qualify for free tuition.
Some critics have pointed out that the course’s structure, laid out in a list format, feels disorganized.
Have you ever turned black inside a tree? Have you ever been completely black in the ocean? Have you ever seen the sky turn pitch black? Please come and take my course. Don’t ask me why.
— Aelfred the Great (@aelfred_D) February 13, 2026
This isn’t Harvard’s first foray into blending racial topics with religious studies. In 2021, the institution released an article discussing the “dharma of racial justice,” suggesting a link between Buddhist teachings and acts of racial justice.
The article emphasized that social injustice is not merely an intellectual concept but also an experience that affects our realities, inviting deeper exploration of shared existence.
