Advancing Ecological and Social Well-Being with Economic Development

Ecological health, social equity, and the human economic system are deeply interdependent. This course explores the relationship between capitalism (as the world’s dominant economic system) and the polycrisis (major interconnected global challenges across social, political, and economic realms). Through this integrative lens, we’ll examine the significant role economic development often plays in the movement towards ecological and social well-being. Students will engage with key concepts through lectures; a case study of a regional-scale economic development planning process; discussions; readings and other media; and group activities. By the end of the course, students will have gained knowledge and skills necessary to critically assess implications to ecological and social well-being in local scale economic development policies, practices, and programs.