BA Modern History with Economics

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Environmental Economics

Course unit fact file
Unit code ECON20101
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

The aims of this course are to explore the use of economic analysis to investigate the causes, consequences and possible solutions to problems associated with degradation of the environment due to economic activity. At the end of the course unit, students will be able to understand and explain:

  1. how neoclassical economics conceptualises environmental problems in terms of market failure;
  2. the theory and practice of valuing, in monetary terms, changes in environmental quality;
  3. cost-benefit analysis, including the discounting of future values;
  4. environmental regulation;
  5. climate change. 

     

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Introductory Mathematics ECON10061 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Advanced Mathematics ECON10071A Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Principles of Microeconomic Theory 1: Consumers, Welfare, Production and Costs ECON10171 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Microeconomics 1 ECON10221 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Microeconomics 1 ECON10331 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Advanced Mathematics ECON10071B Pre-Requisite Compulsory
(ECON10331 OR ECON10221 OR ECON10171) AND (ECON10061 OR ECON10071)

(ECON10331 or ECON10221 or ECON10171) and (ECON10061 or ECON10071)

Aims

The aim of this module is to explore the use of economic analysis to investigate the causes, consequences and possible solutions to problems associated with degradation of the environment due to economic activity. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course unit, students will be able to understand and explain:

  1. how neoclassical economics conceptualises environmental problems in terms of market failure;
  2. the theory and practice of valuing, in monetary terms, changes in environmental quality and use of such values in cost-benefit analysis;
  3. the economics of alternative approaches to regulating local and global pollution such as direct controls, green taxes, subsidies, marketable pollution permits and voluntary agreements;
  4. the economics of climate change and its implications for policy design 

Syllabus

Topic 1: Economics of Environmental Problems

Topic 2: Environmental Valuation and Cost-Benefit Analysis  

Topic 3: Environmental Regulation and Pollution Control  

Topic 4: Climate Change 

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and tutorial classes.

Intellectual skills

(i) problem-solving skills; (ii) ability to analyse and interpret empirical data; (iii) the evaluation and critical analysis of arguments, theories and policies.

Practical skills

(i) ability to analyse and interpret empirical data; (ii) ability to analyse economic mechanisms and policies

Transferable skills and personal qualities

(i) select and deploy relevant information; (ii) communicate ideas and arguments in writing and verbally; (iii) apply skills of analysis and interpretation; (iv) manage time and work to deadlines; (v) ability to work in a small group.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Problem solving

Assessment methods

  • Essay - 60%. 
  • Two Computer-Based Online Tests - 40%. 

Feedback methods

  • Tutorial feedback.
  • Office hours.

Recommended reading

Main Text


Jonathan M. Harris & Brian Roach (2021) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics A Contemporary Approach (5th edition)

Routledge

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003080640/environmental-natural-resource-economics-jonathan-harris-brian-roach 
 

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Daniel Rigby Unit coordinator

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