The Global Economy: Environment, Development and Globalisation

About the course

What is the real wealth of nations? How is the global economic system performing under increasing ecological and social pressures? Which institutions and actors have the best opportunities to work towards building desirable and sustainable economies?

The course presents a variety of theoretical perspectives on issues of political economy in the context of sustainable development. Throughout the semester, different theories and historical examples are analysed and discussed in sessions with knowledgeable and inspiring guest lecturers in order to offer a multidisciplinary understanding of the global economy's role in today's world. Keeping a good balance between abstract and concrete, as well as particular and general, the course constitutes a basic toolbox to understand economies in the 21st century. Embarking on this journey of discovery, international and Swedish students will reflect critically on the past and current state of the economy in order to imagine alternative economic futures.

The course is offered at CEMUS, Centre for Environment and Development Studies, in a student-led educational model where students actively contribute to shaping the courses and their content, creating a student-centred learning environment.