Economics 105 - Introduction Political Economy
Fall
2017
01
4.00
Erbin Crowell
TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM
UMass Amherst
34293
34359
Introduction to economic analysis for majors and nonmajors. Facts and concepts basic to understanding the U.S. economy today. Topics may include:
unemployment, economic development, inequality, technology, social wealth, environment, government economic policy, economic alternatives, race and gender, and discrimination. Contrasting theoretical perspectives. (Gen.Ed. SB, U)
unemployment, economic development, inequality, technology, social wealth, environment, government economic policy, economic alternatives, race and gender, and discrimination. Contrasting theoretical perspectives. (Gen.Ed. SB, U)
The lecture and discussion sections of this course will not be overridden. Students can enroll only through SPIRE into open sections, up to the capacity listed in SPIRE. There is no override process for this course.
Extended description for Econ 105, section 1 only:
Often described as a ?third way? or economic alternative to both
capitalism and state socialism, co-operativism has also been claimed
by both of these philosophies. Recently, the Great Recession of 2008
and the declaration of 2012 as the United Nations "International Year
of Co-ops" has raised the profile of co-operative enterprise as a tool
for social and economic development. This course will focus on the
degree to which co-operation as a business model and a social movement
offers a viable economic alternative and tool for social justice,
economic democracy and ecological sustainability. Our goal is to
acquaint students with the historical context and ideas that gave rise
to the co-operative movement; the evolution of co-operative
enterprise; comparative models and practice; the relevance of the
co-operative alternative to contemporary economic and social issues
such as income inequality, climate change and the global financial
crisis; and case studies in co-operative enterprise. We seek to
address the following questions:
? What are the philosophical, social and historical
origins of the Co-operative Movement?
? How do the conditions that gave rise to the
Co-operative Movement compare with contemporary issues?
? What are the different forms of co-operative
enterprise and the legal statutes governing their operation?
? What is the concept of a co-operative economy or
?Co-operative Commonwealth??
? How might the co-operative model be applied to
contemporary challenges and opportunities?
? Do Co-operative Values and Principles represent a
viable alternative to other economic approaches that is relevant to
the future?
Extended description for Econ 105, section 1 only:
Often described as a ?third way? or economic alternative to both
capitalism and state socialism, co-operativism has also been claimed
by both of these philosophies. Recently, the Great Recession of 2008
and the declaration of 2012 as the United Nations "International Year
of Co-ops" has raised the profile of co-operative enterprise as a tool
for social and economic development. This course will focus on the
degree to which co-operation as a business model and a social movement
offers a viable economic alternative and tool for social justice,
economic democracy and ecological sustainability. Our goal is to
acquaint students with the historical context and ideas that gave rise
to the co-operative movement; the evolution of co-operative
enterprise; comparative models and practice; the relevance of the
co-operative alternative to contemporary economic and social issues
such as income inequality, climate change and the global financial
crisis; and case studies in co-operative enterprise. We seek to
address the following questions:
? What are the philosophical, social and historical
origins of the Co-operative Movement?
? How do the conditions that gave rise to the
Co-operative Movement compare with contemporary issues?
? What are the different forms of co-operative
enterprise and the legal statutes governing their operation?
? What is the concept of a co-operative economy or
?Co-operative Commonwealth??
? How might the co-operative model be applied to
contemporary challenges and opportunities?
? Do Co-operative Values and Principles represent a
viable alternative to other economic approaches that is relevant to
the future?