1. GEOG 353 Welcome to the first day of “Managing Natural and Social Capital”...

2. Contact Information Instructor:Don Alexander Office Hours:Bldg. 359, Rm. 215, Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 1:00 E-mail: don.alexander@viu.cadon.alexander@viu.ca Phone: 753-3245 (local 2261)‏ Web site: http://web.viu.ca/alexander2

3. Course Focus and Objectives The course focuses on a way of thinking about wealth and well-being that looks beyond money flows, the production of consumer and capital goods, and labour productivity to the role that economic activity plays in enhancing or degrading natural, social, and human capital. The course will review policy issues in the environmental, urban, and global development fields that epitomize key controversies over the role of markets in the search for a more sustainable future for the 21 st century. By the end of the course, you will

4. Course Focus and Objectives understand better the interdependencies among economic, social, and ecological systems; have a stronger appreciation of the impact of economic activity on natural, social, and human capital; be exposed to frameworks for analyzing and formulating policy for key issues in the environmental, urban, and global development fields, and learn about specific case studies and tools reflecting these approaches.

5. Course Focus and Objectives To do well in the course, you should: demonstrate a knowledge of the concepts of natural and social capital, and be able to apply them in a variety of contexts (as measured by the book report and final exam); be able to demonstrate a knowledge of some of the principal tools for managing natural and social capital and relevant case studies (as measured by the book report and tool presentation); be able to demonstrate knowledge of emerging crucial issues (as measured by the debate and final exam).

6. Structure of the Course The course will involve lectures, guest speakers, class discussion and hands-on activities, occasional videos, a possible field trip, and case study analysis based on domestic and international examples. There will be two major assignments (see below). Readings (required text): Capitalism As If the World Matters by Jonathon Porritt (London: Earthscan, 2005); a small bundle of photocopied readings (available from the bookstore); highly recommended: The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth by Mark Anielski (Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2007, available at the library and as a supplementary text at the bookstore), and the special issue of Alternatives Journal on “Measuring Progress” 33: 2-3 (2007).

7. Assignments 1. Attendance and Participation 2. Book Report 3. Critical Issue Debate 4. Tool Presentation 5. Tool Handout 6. Final Exam TOTAL 10% (throughout)‏ 15% (beginning January 19)‏ 35% (beginning February 9)‏ 10% (beginning March 2)‏ 5% (beginning March 2)‏ 25% (TBA)‏ 100%

8. What to Expect in 352... This course is being offered for the first time this semester. In the spirit of 'full disclosure,' I should tell you that I have strong biases and also have limited expertise in the field of economics. The goal is to encourage critical discussion of the issues rather than seeking to arrive at the “one true answer.” You may even – in the case of the debate – find yourself on the opposite side from the one to which you would naturally gravitate. This can be a valuable experience. This is intended as a fully participatory course rather than one that is mainly instructor-driven.