Economic Development
Economic development is an umbrella term that involves fostering the economic conditions that bring people a certain level of material comfort and basic human dignity. Traditionally, economic development was thought to be propelled by the industrial revolution and technology boom. This introduced the shift from handmade to machine-made industry that spurred productivity and raised standards of living for some, but many still live in conditions of poverty. The issues are continually challenging and numerous, and they require creative, diverse solutions. How can we reimagine “development” to achieve a society where all can not only live with dignity, but also have the opportunity to flourish? Additionally, how can social innovation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and alternative economics improve quality of life and drive social equality?
Connect
Key Faculty & Staff
Denise Crossan, Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change
Stephen O’Connell, Gil and Frank Mustin Professor of Economics
Larry Westphal, J. Archer, Helen C. Turner Professor Emeritus of Economics
Ellen Magenheim, Professor of Economics, Health Economics & Policy specialist
Centers
Center for Innovation and Leadership | Contact: Katie Clark
Student Groups
180 Degrees Consulting | Contact: Phyllis Lee ’17
Redefine Her Street | Contact: Irene Xiang '18
Opportunities
SwatTank | Contact: Denise Crossan
Lang Center Scholarship | Contact: Katie Price
Learn
Relevant Courses
- Operations Research or Water Pollution/Control, McGarity CBL classes
- ECON 015 - Economic Poverty and Inequality
- ECON 041 - Public Economics
- ECON 082 - Political Economy of Africa
- ECON 091B - Research Seminar in Economics: Development Economics
- ECON 162 - Antitrust and Market Regulation
- ECON 073 - Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Economics
- ECON 075 - Health Economics
- ECON 076 - Environmental Economics
- ECON 181 - Economic Development
- PEAC 049 - Be the Change: Social Entrepreneurship in Principle and Practice
- ENGR 035 - Solar Energy Systems
Act
Projects
- Project Ké, health-care provision, Tyler Alexander ’17
- Harvest Circle, LOS project, Tyler Huntington ’18
- SEE Initiative, Lang Center Scholarship, Fatima Boozarjomehri ’17
Internships
Economic Development Lang Center Associate
Lamia-Emilie Makkar '21
