ECON 3500 - Resource and Environmental Economics III
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ECON 3500 Course Resource and Environmental Economics III Coordinating Unit Economics Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Incompatible ECON 3003 Assumed Knowledge ECON 2506 or C&ENVENG 1008 Assessment Typically a project, tutorial assignments & final exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Stephanie McWhinnie
Office hours: Tuesday 3-4pm in teaching weeks of semester 1
Office location: Nexus 10, Level 4, Room 4.11Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:1 To apply economic analysis to the management of the environment and natural resources 2 To analyse theoretical and empirical research in environmental and resource economics 3 To prepare a policy report that develops knowledge and practical implementation of relevant economic theory in understanding and addressing an environmental or natural resource issue 4 To develop good inter-personal and communication skills through writing a policy diary, giving a group presentation and contributing to critical discussion University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 4 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 4 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3, 4 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3, 4 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 2, 3, 4 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Textbook (used for approximately half of the course): Perman R., Y. Ma, M. Common, D. Maddison, and J. McGilvray (2011) Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Fourth Edition, Pearson-Addison Wesley.
In addition to the textbook we will be specifically referring to a selection of journal articles, these will be linked on MyUni.Recommended Resources
Access to a textbook from Intermediate Microeconomics may be helpful as the content is the assumed knowledge of this course.
There are many interesting references in this field as it is a very active and issue-driven area of economics. For your further reference you might like to consider the following journals and books, available at, or online through, the Library. I am happy to recommend further material upon request.
- Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
- Land Economics
- Ecological Economics
- Environment and Resource Economics
- Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Kahn, J.R. (2005) The Economic Approach to Environmental and Natural Resources. Third Edition, Thomson South-Western
- Pearce, D.W. and R.K. Turner (1990) Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment. Prentice Hall
- Hartwick, J.M. and N.D. Olewiler (1998) The Economics of Natural Resource Use. Second Edition, Addison Wesley
- Tietenberg T. (2003) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Sixth Edition, Addison Wesley.
Online Learning
All course material including lecture notes, assessment information and material, readings and announcements will be provided on MyUni. I expect you to check there regularly. Lectures will typically be recorded but they should be considered a complement to, rather than a substitute for attendance. In the event of technical failure it will be the student's responsibility to find an alternative source of information. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Each topic is divided into a lecture component and a tutorial component. The lecture covers the key concepts of a particular topic. Tutorials will consolidate your understanding of course material by working through analytical problems and expand your understanding of course material through group discussion of related academic journal articles. You should use the relevant sections of the textbook and other assigned readings to enhance your understanding of topics covered in the lectures and tutorials.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This translates to 12 hours per week for a semester course.Learning Activities Summary
The first part of the course deals with the environment, paying particular attention to pollution and climate change. We will introduce and consider issues relating to externalities, sustainability and valuation of the environment.
The second part of the course deals with models of renewable resources, specifically focussing on fisheries and forests. We will consider the domestic and international management implications of these models and discuss the empirical evidence on fisheries depletion, deforestation and management techniques. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assignments 10%. Best four out of five equally-weighted assignments challenging you to understand the material presented in lectures. (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2). Due dates and submission instructions will be announced on MyUni.
Group Presentation 5%: Each small group will critically discuss an academic journal article. (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4). Groups and presentation dates will be determined in the first tutorial.
Tutorial Participation 5%: Participation in class discussion of other group presentations and associated article. (Learning Outcomes 2 and 4)
Environmental/Natural Resource Policy Challenge 25%: Students will undertake a policy challenge that will involve keeping an online journal and submitting a short policy report/recommendation. Full information will be provided in the lecture and on MyUni. (Learning Outcomes 3 and 4)
Final Exam 55%: There will be a two-hour final exam. (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2)Assessment Related Requirements
Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process, and may affect marks.Assessment Detail
Assignments. The five assignments will include analytical and numerical problems and short answer questions. Only your best four out of five will count towards your grade.
Group Presentation: Each tutorial section will be broken into groups of three-five students who will together be responsible for giving a 15-20 minute critical presentation of an academic journal article. A detailed assessment outline and criteria will be given in the first tutorial.
Tutorial Participation: Participation in discussion of the articles presented by other groups is important to aid development of critical analysis skills.
Environmental/Natural Resource Policy Challenge: The objective of the challenge is to develop a practical understanding of a particular environmental/natural resource issue. By engaging in a personal challenge - as determined individually - and recording this in a journal, you will think about the process of changing behaviour. At the end of the challenge you will write a short policy/report summarising the purpose of the change and what economic policy tools could be used to implement and support change in a wider group of individuals (consumers and/or producers). A detailed assessment outline and criteria will be given at the start of the course and on MyUni.
Final Exam: The two-hour final exam will include analytical and numerical problems, and short answer and essay questions. Please note that, following University policy, dictionaries are not allowed in School of Economics exams.Submission
All assignments, journal entries and reports are to be submitted as directed on the due dates. Should you wish to hand your assessment in late, it will be accepted but will be subject to a 20% penalty per day late (i.e. up to 24 hours late = 20% penalty, 24 to 48 hours late = 40% penalty, ... 96 to 120 hours late = 100% penalty). Lateness due to medical or compassionate reasons, supported by appropriate documents, will not be subject to penalty.
It is intended that all assessment will be returned within two weeks.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
A summary of and response regarding past SELTs for this course is available on MyUni. -
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Policies & Guidelines
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- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
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- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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