America, the Environment, and the Global Economy

This course examines both historical and contemporary aspects of globalization, global economic development, the global financial system, and the global environment.

How did globalism start? Have there been other global eras in history? What is the relationship of America and other western democracies to the rest of the world? Does increasing current economic development threaten to undermine the environment? Is it possible to balance economic growth with sustainability for future generations?

We will discuss these and other questions in this interdisciplinary course that combines history, economics, and the study of the environment to make sense of how the choices we have made in the past, as well as those we make in the present, shape the future of our global society.

Arts & Sciences Gen Ed: Social Sciences
3 credit hours