ANU - STUDYAT - Economics for the Environment

Offered By:

Fenner School

Academic Career:

Undergraduate

Course Subject:

Environmental Science

Offered in:

First Semester, 2010

Unit Value:

6 units

Course Description:

Economics for the Environment is a course designed to provide students with an understanding of the ways in which the discipline of economics can be used to analyse environmental and natural resource use issues. The course begins with an explanation of what economics is. In this explanation, a role for economics in the consideration of environmental matters is established. Some time is spent exploring the potential for markets to solve environmental problems and this is accompanied by a parallel analysis of government, or ‘command and control' mechanisms for dealing with environmental issues. Other economic principles and techniques are also set out, including cost benefit analysis. With this background established, the remainder of the course is divided into two sections. The first deals with the economics of natural resources including water, forests, energy, agriculture and wildlife. The second involves the analysis of pollution issues ranging from local to global. Note: lectures in this course are attended by graduate students enrolled in EMDV8078, but there are separate tutorials.

Learning Outcomes:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain how the discipline of economics, and economic tools such as cost-benefit analysis, can be used to analyse environmental and natural resource use issues
2. describe the potential for market and government ('command and control) mechanisms to adddress environmental issue
3. appreciate the role of economics in the management of natural resources, including water, forests, energy, agriculture and wildlife, at local, regional and global levels

Indicative Assessment:

The course will be assessed on the basis of student performance in four modes of assessment:

Three assignments randomly drawn at three different points in time during the semester from assignments set each week. (5% each)
An oral presentation based on a written paper (15%)
A mid semester test (closed book) (20%)
A final examination (closed book) (50%)

Workload:

Two one-hour lectures and a one-hour tutorial each week, plus up to seven hours per week individual study

Areas of Interest:

Resource Management and Environmental Science

Requisite Statement:

48 units towards a degree.

Incompatibility:

SRES2007

Prescribed Texts:

Tietenberg, T. (2007) Environmental Economics and Policy (5th edition). Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley.

Preliminary Reading:

Heyne, P.T. (2000) The Economic Way of Thinking (9th edition). Prentice Hall, NJ.

Majors/Specialisations:

Environmental Studies and Geography

Science Group:

B

Academic Contact:

Professor Jeff Bennett

Economics for the Environment ENVS2007 - Details