Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 6

Schedule: 28.06.2021 - 16.07.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Joan Lofgren

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Richard McGrath

Contact information for the course (valid 13.06.2021-21.12.2112):

Richard McGrath, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics

Georgia Southern University

Savannah, Georgia, USA

+1 912.344.2626

rmcgrath@georgiasouthern.edu

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  The primary focus of the course is to understand the nature, scope and key concepts of environmental economics and the relationship between the economy and the environment, including the notion of optimal level of pollution. The tools of environmental analysis, the principles of demand and cost and the elements of economic efficiency in market and in non-market activities are also explored, a key notion here is that of Market failure . Key techniques of environmental analysis (like cost benefit analysis) are addressed. Attention is also given to concepts and dynamics of Polluter Pays Principle and public policy instruments (e.g. environmental taxes, subsidies, permits). Theories on the optimal allocation of renewable resources with specific application to forestry and fisheries are developed. This is followed by an investigation of the main theoretical and practical issues relating to exhaustible resources (e.g. energy). The analytical tools and principles developed earlier are applied to current developments in environmental policy in the EU and globally.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Applies in this implementation:

  Grading
  Course Requirements and Values		Weighting (%) or maximum points
  Requirement 1 Discussion Forum contributions		10%
  Requirement 2 Live session participation		10%
  Requirement 3 Essay and Presentation (2000 words, 6 slides)		20%
  Requirement 4 Exam 1 (60 minutes)		20%
  Requirement 5 Exam 2 (60 minutes)		20%
  Requirement 6 Exam 3 (60 minutes)		20%
  Total		100
  Conversion scale   Final grade (official scale) 90 - 100 5 80 - 89 4 70 - 79 3 60 - 69 2 50 - 59 1 0 - 49 0

  
  

Workload

• Applies in this implementation:

  ECTS Student Workload
  	Number of Hours
  Faculty-led engagement (May include synchronous sessions and asynchronous interaction, eg viewing recorded lectures, distance teamwork and other peer interaction such as threaded discussions.)	45
  Self-study hours (May include acquisition of content and assignment completion.)	115
  Work with course materials, eg required reading	75
  Exam preparation	20
  Individual research & writing	20
  Team projects (meetings, research, preparation, etc.)
  Other
  Total of all student workload hours	160

  
  

DETAILS

Study Material

• Applies in this implementation:

  Required Reading

  Environmental Economics, An Introduction, 8e, Barry C. Field and Martha K. Field. McGraw Hill.  Additional Readings will be linked or loaded to the session page on MyCourses.  Students will each choose a different climate fiction novel from a list provided by the instructor. Access to a selection of books on the list will be made available by Jaana Santala, the Mikkeli campus information specialist. Other books may be chosen at the student’s expense with permission of the instructor.

  
  

Prerequisites

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  basic course in economics

Registration for Courses

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  The course is only for the Mikkeli Campus students and the registration is done at the Mikkeli study office.

• Applies in this implementation:

  Additional Information

  Exams Exams may consist of a series of theoretical or discussion questions and/or essays.  Students’ written exams will be assessed in terms of their ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the topics presented and breadth of reading. Students are allowed access to books and notes but may not discuss exams with others until they are graded. Because time constraints will limit the value of books and notes when taking exams, students should not overly rely on them when planning for exams.   Discussion Boards There will be a required personal introduction plus four graded discussion boards, graded based on the guidelines below. Discussion boards can be a great part of the course. Don’t just try to get them done. Be thoughtful and add to the conversation. Each discussion board assignment will have additional instructions Read all the other posts first. You are not dropping a monologue into empty space. You are engaging in conversation What are you adding to the conversation? If you agree with a post, explain and expand, don’t just agree. If you disagree, do so politely and with details about why you disagree.  Polite disagreement is valuable on discussion boards. Cite sources. Don’t say “I read that.” Repeating what you read on social media is not a contribution unless you are analyzing what was said. Add links to supporting information to help move the conversation forward. Write out your full comment in a separate document and save it. Expectations: You address a significant portion of the question. The answer avoids triteness and unsupported generalizations. The ideas reflect critical thinking and insight. There is some originality in the writer's response. The content has depth and substance. There are virtually no errors in punctuation or spelling, grammar or usage. Sentences are smooth and carefully constructed. The words chosen are clear, accurate, and precise. The answer or response holds the reader's interest. Decide where to post it. Are you replying to a thread in general, or to a particular comment in a thread? Those have separate buttons. Know which is which. Start a new thread only if your thoughts do not fit into an established thread. Subject lines should be descriptive of the topic to invite readers. I suggest writing the subject line after drafting the post. Grading. Adherence to the above guidelines will be the focus of grading. Political and social viewpoints will not affect grading. 2000 word paper (and book selection/acquisition) Students will each write a 2000 word essay on a single environmental issue based on the reading and analysis of a climate fiction or environmental fiction book approved by the faculty member. Students may not use the same book, and must claim the rights to a book on a discussion board, first-come, first-served. I suggest choosing books as quickly as possible. There is a pre-approved list in two parts: 1) Jaana Santala, the college information specialist, has ordered 15 different books and can ship them to you. 2) the remainder of the approved list can be purchased at your own expense or borrowed from a library. I am amenable to book requests off the list. Email the link to a bookseller’s listing for my approval.   Additional information on the assignment will be provided on MyCourses. It is expected that the standard of writing and presentation is appropriate to advanced university study. This means submitting a work that has been proof read, corrected and legible. I expect to receive a structured work which has well developed themes and logical argument. Late papers will be penalized without an approved excused absence. Papers must comply with the Citation and Referencing Guide https://into.aalto.fi/display/enbscba/Citation+and+Referencing+Guide and the Style Guide https://into.aalto.fi/display/enbscba/Style+Guide+and+Cover+Page+Template+for+Assignments. Due Tuesday 12 July 22.00.  Presentation and feedback on other presentations Students will be required to make a 10-minute presentation on the key components of the analysis from the 2000 word paper. Guidance for these presentations will be provided on MyCourses. Students are also expected to actively contribute to the discussion of other presentations. Slides must be uploaded 30 minutes before presentations begin to allow an orderly progression through presentations. Presentations will be approximately ten minutes to leave time for questions and discussion. Clarity and insight will be the primary characteristics sought from presentations and discussion.  Class preparation and participation The active exchange of ideas and observations is important in a policy-oriented course. This requires advance preparation and participation by students. This is particularly important when students are assigned to find their own sources of information to contribute to the class discussion. Attendance alone in not sufficient for a quality participation grade.  Please note that late assignments will not be accepted except upon approval for urgent reasons.

  
  

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  
  

Description

Registration and further information