Course outline. Code: ENS300 Title: Environmental and Resource Economics

Transcription

1 Course outline Code: ENS300 Title: Environmental and Resource Economics Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2016 Course Coordinator: Dr Graham Ashford GAshford@usc.edu.au Course Moderator: Associate Professor David Schoeman 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course provides an overview of the principles of environmental and resource economics and their application in policies, planning and resource management. It integrates environmental management and economic theory within a framework of ethics and sustainable development. You ll examine economic dimensions of important issues such as pollution, species loss, population growth, transportation, resource extraction and climate change. Who knew that market failure could be so much fun? Carbon tax or emissions trading? You ll know. 1.2 Course content Market failure and externalities, ethics, population growth, renewable and non-renewable resources, pollution control, trade and investment, climate change, cost-benefit analysis, multi-criteria analysis, integrated policy frameworks, valuation methods, conservation and protected areas. 2. Unit value 12 units Version Semester Recfind File Number: F14078

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Effectively communicate key concepts in environmental and resource economics Apply economic methods to environmental and resource management issues and understand their strengths and limitations Review relevant literature, compile data, and prepare practical reports to support environmental management Identify and communicate the ethical implications of environmental and resource management decisions You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Task 2 Task 3 Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 1 Task 2 Task 1 Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. Sustainability-focussed. Knowledgeable. Sustainability-focussed. Ethical. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions 4.2 Pre-requisites 4.3 Co-requisites 4.4 Anti-requisites ENS Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional) You won t be expected to have prior knowledge of economics. You will be expected to have the ability to search databases, conduct research independently, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, manage your time effectively and contribute to finding solutions to pressing environment and development issues. 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)

3 Page Assessment tasks (ENS300) Assessment Tasks Task No. 1 Ethical dilemma video report 2 Economic analysis report Part A: Report outline Part B: Final report Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? Group 25% minutes per Group Individual Part A: Outline 0% (formative) Part B: Final report 40% Part A: Outline 300 words Part B: Final report 2500 words When should I submit? During the lecture in Week 4 Part A: Outline Week 6 Part B: Final report Week 12 3 Final Exam Individual 35% 2 hours Centrally scheduled exam period Where should I submit it? Hand in on DVD or USB Blackboard Centrally scheduled exam venue Assessment Task 1: Ethical dilemma video report Goal: This task will develop your collaboration and analytic skills through group work that examines the ethical implications of different responses to a selected environment/development issue. Product: Current affairs style video documentary report (15-20 minutes) Format: Group video report in MP4 or WMV format Criteria Scope and depth of the ethical analysis and connection to economic theory Clarity and effectiveness of communication Contribution to team (peer review) Format, style and presentation Incorporation and quality of supporting data and references Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Applying technologies Communication Collaboration Assessment Task 2: Economic analysis report Goal: This task will develop your skills in applying economic theory and techniques to the investigation and management of an environment/development issue of your choice. Product: Report Format: Part A: Report concept and outline. This is a 300 word overview of the proposed topic including the research question, methods to be used, rationale and possible data sources. The outline is a formative assessment intended to provide early feedback to guide the final report preparation. Part B: Written research report, 2500 words. Report will include text, graphs, tables, figures and results of calculations and analysis, and references Criteria You will be assessed on the: Quality of written expression (spelling, syntax, grammar, diction) and structure of the report (logical sequence, use of sections and headings, progression of arguments and analysis). Depth of analysis and application of economic concepts Incorporation and quality of graphs, tables, charts and figures Incorporation and quality of data and references Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication

4 Page 4 Problem solving Information literacy Assessment Task 3: Final Course Test Goal: This exam will allow you to consolidate and demonstrate your learning of the key concepts, theories and practices in environmental and resource management covered in this course. Product: Exam Format: 2 hours. Exam will contain a variety of questions including multiple choice, short answer and long answer. Criteria Scope, depth and accuracy of: explaining key concepts in environmental and resource economics evaluating and comparing different possible economic approaches for environmental and resource management explaining the strengths and limitations of economic methods Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Problem solving Organisation 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Blackboard As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements, course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate internet access (either off campus or oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks. Safe Assign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.

5 Page 5 Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours 4 contact hours per week, these include: 1 x 2 hour lecture 1 x 2 hour tutorial 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I learn? What activities will I engage in to learn Week / the concepts/content? Module Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Economy and environment overview of issues Lecture Readings/videos Ethical dilemmas in environment economics Tutorial Task 1 group work 2 Market failure and externalities Lecture Readings/videos Ethical dilemma analysis and application for Task 1 Tutorial Task 1 group work 3 National income accounting Lecture Readings/videos Ethical dilemma analysis and application for Task 1 Tutorial Task 1 group work 4 Integrated policy frameworks Lecture Readings/videos Method overview: Multi-criteria analysis Tutorial Task 2 report work 5 Population growth and the environment Lecture Readings/videos Method overview: Cost-benefit analysis Tutorial Task 2 report work 6 Agriculture and water resources Lecture Readings/videos Method overview: Valuation techniques Tutorial Task 2 report work 7 Renewable resources: Forestry Lecture Readings/videos 8 Renewable resources: Fisheries Lecture Readings/videos 9 Non-renewable resources and recycling Lecture Readings/videos 10 Pollution: impacts and policy responses Lecture Readings/videos 11 Climate change: impacts and policy responses Lecture Readings/videos 12 Conservation and protected areas Lecture Readings/videos 13 Trade and investment treaties Lecture Readings/videos Exam review Tutorial Exam preparation Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.

6 Page 6 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: A Contemporary Approach, 3rd Edition. by Jonathan Harris & Brian Roach 7.2 Recommended readings Compendium of readings and online resources are available on Blackboard. Excellent selection of environmental and resource economics textbooks in the library. 7.3 Specific requirements 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or studentlifeandlearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability Faculty specific information General enquiries Student Central - Building C Tel: Fax: Studentcentral@usc.edu.au