Course Catalogue

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Environmental Economics studies how economic activity and policy may affect the environment. This course provides students with theoretical and methodological tools that allow them to apply economic principles to analyse and evaluate policies for environmental issues. The emphasis will be on pollution control. Contemporary environmental problems such as international cooperation in climate change and international trade and environment will be also discussed.

Lectures: 10 x 2-hour lectures.

Additional 2-hour revision lecture outside normal teaching hours.

Entry to an Honours programme in Economics or a minimum grade C3 (average) in Economics 2A and 2B for students taking an Honours programme in another subject.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

Reassessment opportunities are provided in accordance with School policy as applied to assessed groupwork.

The main aims of the course are to:

■ Identify and analyse key challenges confronting economies and economists in attempting to reconcile economic growth with environmental and ecological constraints.

■ Demonstrate the applicability of economic theory to the analysis of policies to deal with contemporary environmental issues.

■ Encourage the acquisition of a breadth and depth of knowledge within the field of environmental economics.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply economic analysis and tools to the management of the environment;
2. Discuss and debate the socio-economic, social and political factors and their interconnectedness in relation to the management of the environment;
3. Review and analyse the relevant academic literature to support discussions;
4. Prepare a policy assessment that develops knowledge and practical implementation of relevant economic theory in understanding and addressing an environmental issue.

5. Work collaboratively in a group to produce a combined piece of coursework, by liaising with other class members, allocating tasks and co-ordinating group meetings.

None.