This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)
Module ECON1051: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)
ECON1051: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 1 | 20 | Available in 2006/2007 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- None.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To facilitate students' understanding of the way in which economists analyse environmental issues and contribute to decision-making about the environment. The basic principles of economics will be applied to environmental topics. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop key skills.
Content
- The nature of environmental economics.
- Defining the environment.
- Renewable and non-renewable resources.
- The environment and the economy.
- Economic growth, population and the environment.
- Global issues.
- Basic analytical tools, eg.benefits and costs, supply and demand.
- Causes of environmental degredation.
- Environmental analysis eg. impact analysis, cost effectiveness analysis, cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis.
- Controlling the environment, eg.charging for the use of the environment, green taxes, environmental permits.
- Policy issues, eg.criteria for evaluating environmental policies, case studies of UK policies, traffic, air and water pollution, international issues, acid rain, the ozone layer, the environment and the developing world.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Understand how Economics can help to assess and solve environmental problems
- Be able to formulate environmental policy recommendations
Subject-specific Skills
- How to use economic tools and mathematical and graphical analysis for the solution of environmental problems
Key Skills
- Written Communication. - e.g. through summative assessment.
- Initiative e.g. by searching relevant literature and information in preparation for assessed work
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 (including student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of a short-answer test. Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of 2.25 hours’ duration to test students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 31 | 2 per week | 1 hour | 31 | |
| Tutorials | 7 | 1 every 2 weeks | 1 hour | 7 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 162 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 100% | Examination | 2.25 hours | 100% | Yes |
Formative Assessment
1 short-answer Test
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.