Techno-optimism, Ecomodernism, and Narratives of Growth and Progress

2 credits · Undergraduate

Change in both the natural world and social systems is accelerating, driven by technology, industry, and modernity. Although often equated with progress, that view is not universal. This course examines how competing visions of progress and sustainability shape human flourishing within planetary limits. We explore how socio-technical imaginaries and contested futures influence decisions, linking planetary boundaries with the technological, cultural, and economic forces that shape societal choices. Topics include doughnut economics, techno-optimism, ecomodernism, behavioral economics, measures of progress, and human ecology.