Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module ECON3161: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)

ECON3161: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Economic Principles II: Microeconomics (ECON2021).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide, by building on the skills and knowledge from level 2, an understanding of the contribution of economic analysis to the solution of environmental problems. In addition, it seeks to provide students with the skills necessary to analyse and discuss current policy issues concerning the protection of the environment.

Content

  • Analysis of flow and stock pollution
  • Voluntary agreements
  • Environmental kuznets curves
  • International environmental problems
  • Economics of natural resources
  • The political economy of the environment

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • At the end of the module the students will be able to:
  • Understand the contribution of economic analysis to the solution of environmental problems
  • Understand the role of free markets and/or government intervention to deal with environmental problems
  • Develop a critical knowledge of the protection of the environment from an economic standpoint
Subject-specific Skills:
  • At the end of the module, students will be able to:
  • Make use of algebra and graphical analysis
  • Discuss current political strategies for the protection of the environment.
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication - through summative assessment.
  • Planning, Organisation and Time Management - by preparing for examinations.
  • Problem Solving and Analysis - e.g. by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills, as well as the ability to manipulate concepts in environmental economics and policy, in undertaking assessed work.
  • Numeracy - e.g. by applying core mathematical and statistical skills to answer a range of examination questions.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (inlcuding student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of a contribution to a group presentation. Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of two and a quarter hours duration.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 1 Per Week 1 Hour 22
Seminars 8 Fortnightly 1 Hour 8
Student Centred Learning 4 2nd term 4
Preparation and Reading 166
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
one two-and-one-quarter-hour examination 100%

Formative Assessment:

Contribution to 1 group presentation


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University