First-Year Seminars 110SV - Sustainable Development and Its Discontents

Sustainable development has been the leading paradigm linking economic growth, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability for decades. Yet, global inequality metrics are scarcely improving, and environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity loss are reaching extreme levels. This course examines the concept of sustainable development and various attempts to put it into practice around the world, as well as the limitations and contradictions of predominant approaches to sustainability and economic development. We will then explore alternatives to mainstream development advanced by global social movements, including food sovereignty, degrowth, and climate justice.

Mount Holyoke first-year students only, by placement.