Swarthmore College
EN-12: Continuing Education

Of the five lifelong learning courses offered to Swarthmore Alumni, "Towards an Economy of Distributive Justice" jointly taught by several economics and other professors and experts featured sustainability themes. The course description is: In recent years, income and wealth inequality in the U.S. has increased drastically to levels that are not only damaging to the economy but also threaten democracy itself. While a tiny fraction of the population has seen a soaring increase in wealth, adjusted income for most Americans has decreased since 1973. These wealth disparities are especially pronounced along racial and ethnic lines, and the average wealth gap between white families and families of color has steadily increased. At the same time, globalization has exacerbated economic injustice world-wide to the point where 1% of the rich control over half of the wealth. The current COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified these developments.

"Addressing such urgent issues as inequality, poverty, and wage discrimination, as well as envisioning future economic and social policy that includes social, ecological, political, and ethical considerations, a group of experts will present their work and lead discussions."

Swarthmore College does not offer credit-bearing courses for students who have graduated, but does offer Life-Long Learning Courses for graduates who wish to enrich their lives with further coursework.

Data assembled by representatives from the Office of Sustainability.