Syllabus for The Global Economy: Environment, Development and Globalisation

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• analyse different ways to measure development, poverty and welfare;
• relate to historical and idea-historical perspectives on economic thinking and economic development;
• critically analyse corporations role and societal responsibility from a global perspective;
• reflexively highlight and discuss global power relations and apply a justice perspective on the sustainability challenge;
• analyse the global economic system and its institutions, actors and trends from an transdisciplinary perspective;
• from a multidisciplinary perspective compare and critically analyse the basic assumptions, explanatory models and proposed solutions of different economical theories in relation to the present sustainability challenge.

Content

The course focuses on several content areas. One focus is on historical and idea-historical perspectives on economic thinking, economic theory and economic development. Attention is also focused on giving students basic knowledge in neoclassical theory, environmental economics and ecological economics. Views on nature and humans within economical theories are discussed and, in relation to this, the problem of measuring and evaluating the relations between economic growth and the environment, and the influence of the consumer society. Different dimensions and connections between development and under-development and between poverty and wealth are also highlighted. Attention is also given to economic crisis, global economic institutions, world trade, business, globalisation and societal responsibility.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, panel discussions and documentary screenings. The lectures are given by guest lecturers from different academic disciplines and other relevant societal sectors. Space is given to active student participation, critical thinking and reflection.

Assessment

Students are examined through written preparation and active participation in seminars and workshops (8 credits) and an individual paper (7 credits).