What does «Integral Economics» cover?

Curriculum

«Integral Economics» is devoted to central themes of Christian faith and economics within the framework of six (online) Modules, two (live) events and a practical application Module:

Module 1 (live in Einsiedeln, Switzerland):

Introduction Event

Study Day 1: Introduction

– Overview of the course

– Introduction of the lecture team

– Which theology? Whose economics? Towards a new social imaginary

Study Day 2: Against dualism

– Beyond the dichotomy of public-secular vs. private-religious

– Reflecting one’s own presuppositions

– Introducing Integral Sustainability

Module 2 (online):

Roots & Innovation

Study Day 3: Roots

– Biblical roots of economics

– The invisible hand and other economic myths

Study Day 4: Innovation

– Roots and wings

– Goods, money, and technology

Module 3 (online):

Work & Creativity

Study Day 5: Work

– Regarding work as participation in God’s ongoing creation

– Work and vocation

– Ora et labora: Towards a Christian understanding of work

Study Day 6: Creativity

– Communication and creativity

– Work and dignity

– The power of the radical

social imaginary

Module 4 (online):

Money & Trust

Study Day 7: Money

– The world of finance

– Credit and faith

– Interest

Study Day 8: Trust

– Social capital: trust and relationships

– Interest and debt

– Debt and guilt

Module 5 (online):

Individuals & Organizations

Study Day 9: Individuals

– Entrepreneurship and the entrepreneur

– Homo oeconomicus vs.

persona oeconomica

– Leadership and responsibility

Study Day 10: Organizations 

– Management and human flourishing

– Theological anthropology and

what it means for economics

– Organizations and powers

Module 6 (online):

Market & Community

Study Day 11: Market

– Theology of market and community

– Market, freedom and

communitarianism

– Global corporations, global markets

Study Day 12: Community

– The commons: Who regulates

the commons?

– Public sharing

– Just price: keeps market in

the community

Module 7 (internship):

Internship / Practical Application

Internship

– Practical application

– Networking

CAS Thesis

In-depth analysis and discussion of one particular issue addressed in this CAS

Module 8 (online):

Wealth & Poverty

Study Day 13: Wealth

– What is wealth?

– Measurements of wealth

– Perspectives from the Global South: Wealth, debt and responsibility in South Africa (a case study)

Study Day 14: Poverty

– Towards a theology of wealth

and poverty

– Justice: participation, capabilities

and distribution

Module 9 (live in Einsiedeln, Switzerland):

Closing Module

Study Day 15: Closing Module I

– Topic chosen by CAS participants

– Presentation of CAS Theses

Study Day 16: Closing Module II

– Presentation of CAS Theses

«Integral Economics» is devoted to central themes of Christian faith and economics within
the framework of six (online) Modules, two (live) events and a practical application Module:

Dates

23/24 24/25
Module 1 13 - 16 September, 2023 18 - 20 September, 2024
Module 2 27 - 28 October, 2023 25 - 26 September, 2024
Module 3 8 - 9 December, 2023 29 -30 November, 2024
Module 4 26 - 27 January, 2024 24 - 25 January, 2025
Module 5 23 - 24 February, 2024 28.Feb - 1.March, 2025
Module 6 19 - 20 April, 2024 18 - 19 April, 2025
Module 7 Internship May, 2024 May, 2025
Module 8 21 - 22 June, 2024 20 - 21 June, 2025
Module 9 20 - 21 September, 2024 26 - 27 September, 2025

Integral Economics

It is time to rediscover the fundamental purpose of economics and entrepreneurship and to acknowledge the significant role of faith and theology in shaping economic processes.

Participants of the CAS «Integral Economics – Incorporating Sustainability, Ethics & Faith» will spend twelve months dealing with twelve major themes, which are fundamental to the Christian faith and to a theologically informed perspective on work, values and business ethics.