This course will facilitate the study of social repercussions of the current global economic system and its effects on the environment. We will consider alternative economic models that may better align with sustained community health and the ecological balance of our planet.

• Can we create a social and economic system that is in alignment with the ecological balance of our planet?

• How does rising socio-economic inequality impact the environment?

• How do rural depopulation and increased urbanization phenomena affect society and the environment?

• How can we promote green jobs/a green economy for a more ecological and sustainable world?

• What would a sustainable future look like?

We will address these and other related questions throughout the semester. The course has two distinct goals: (1) to expand the vocabulary related to social, economic and environmental issues, as well as the ability to read, analyze and discuss articles on said topics; and (2) to present an overview of such issues in the Spanish-speaking countries today. Students will engage in vocabulary-expanding exercises, review advanced grammar rules as needed, give individual and group presentations, and complete writing, aural and oral assignments. Class discussions and activities emphasize active use of the language in different contexts, including round-table discussions, debates and professional presentations related to these questions.

Students will have the opportunity to work in teams to envision and design their own innovative projects in order to address concrete real-world problems, such as the rural depopulation phenomenon in Spanish speaking countries.