COR 356 IS ECOLOGY AND ECONOMICS IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD

This course will follow the parallel, complementary, and interdependent development of economics and ecological theory. We will use the growth of the British Empire to understand the myriad impacts that human demand for natural resources has on the environment and human society. As an example of this, we will follow British demand for three historical raw material commodities: tea, sugar and cotton, to understand how they influenced national economies, brought about a strong British middle class, and led to greater access to education including scientific fields. However, our examination of the history of these commodities also forces us to question Britain’s manipulation of world politics, the use of military force to protect private investment, the changes in human demographics from the enslavement of various peoples, the use of child labor for much of its economic growth, and how these issues changed our attitudes towards social and civil rights. This historical review will also help us consider the challenges we will face in the future as the human population continues to grow and to demand resources that fuel economic growth while recognizing that healthy ecosystems are essential for our own well-being.

Prerequisite

Junior or Senior standing

Offered

Offered fall.