Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Articulate a biblically grounded understanding of economics and human flourishing.

• Critically engage in debates about economic theory and the role of economic approaches to poverty alleviation.

• Creatively develop methodologies for improving the economic situation of vulnerable communities in a way that aligns with a biblical understanding of human flourishing.

• Identify the global and local economic forces impacting a vulnerable community and ascertain the Christian NGO’s role in working towards economic justice with that community.

Unit Description

The primary purpose of this unit is to help learners develop a theologically-informed understanding of the broader context of global and national economic forces, particularly as they impact upon economically poor and vulnerable communities. Learners will be introduced to a diversity of theological and economic analysis, with a focus on developing a Biblical paradigm for social and economic justice. Consideration will be given to God’s goal for creation and to whether current economic systems and policies contribute to or diminish the flourishing of vulnerable communities and the environment. Learners will consider the relationship between economics and power while looking at the role and impact of governments, remittances, multi-national companies and multilateral institutions such as the UN, IMF, WTO and World Bank. Economic approaches to poverty alleviation such as micro-finance, social enterprise and impact investing will be explored and evaluated for their opportunities, limitations and threats to human and creational flourishing, and tensions between issues such as growth and sustainability, wealth creation and distribution will be explored.

Topics

• Economics history
• The influence of governments
• The role of multilateral institutions such as the UN, IMF, WTO and World Bank
• Wealth creation and distribution
• Private enterprise and poverty reduction
• Micro-enterprise; trade and globalisation – challenges & opportunities
• Aid
• Issues of sustainability and economic growth
• Uber-consumerism versus human flourishing & contentment
• Globalisation – its challenges and opportunities
• Complexity & development; the role of development NGOs.

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Unit offerings

Face to face: Semester 2, 2024 and Semester 2, 2027 (Every 3rd Year, Semester 2)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.