Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)
Module ECON3161: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY
Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)
ECON3161: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2015/16 | Module Cap | 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
- In addition to presenting the background to the problem of environmental degradation, externalities and public goods, topics will be drawn from the following list:
- Double dividends of environmental taxation
- Voluntary agreements
- International environmental problems
- Economics of natural resources
- Kuznets curves
- Non-point source pollution
- The political economy of environmental policy
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.
- analyse environmental economics issues.
- 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. Formative assessment is by means of a contribution to a group presentation. Summative assessment is by means of a written examination.
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 | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| One written examination | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100% | Same |
Formative Assessment:
Contribution to group presentations at seminars.
■ 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