Module ECON3161: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

Department: Economics

ECON3161: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

Prerequisites

• Microeconomics (ECON2021) OR Economic Theory (ECON2291)

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 are likely to 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
• Forestry economics
• The political economy of environmental policy

Learning Outcomes

• 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

• 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.

• 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, seminars 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 to help prepare for the examination. Summative assessment is by means of an in-person examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One piece of work to prepare students for the summative examination e.g. presentations.

■ 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