GEOG 1103 - Economy, Environment and Place

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course examines the interface between human economic activities and contemporary environmental issues. The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore a variety of alternative pathways to green economies. The course critically analyses the mainstream economic way of thinking from philosophical and ethical perspectives. The course considers community-based natural resource management, Buddhist economics and ecology, and sustainable agriculture. Apart from academic resources, newspapers, novels, lyrics and movies are used to communicate the subject matter.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOG 1103
    Course Economy, Environment and Place
    Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Incompatible GEST 1003
    Course Description This course examines the interface between human economic activities and contemporary environmental issues. The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore a variety of alternative pathways to green economies. The course critically analyses the mainstream economic way of thinking from philosophical and ethical perspectives. The course considers community-based natural resource management, Buddhist economics and ecology, and sustainable agriculture. Apart from academic resources, newspapers, novels, lyrics and movies are used to communicate the subject matter.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jungho Suh

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic economic concepts and principles, such as opportunity costs, marginal analysis and market failure.
    2 Locate and use resources to evaluate the competing priorities between environmental protection and economic growth.
    3 Examine the economic dimension of sustainability using the concept of GDP (gross domestic product) and unemployment.
    4 Compare ecological and neoclassical views of sustainability, making use of the conceptual framework of the I=PAT (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology) equation.
    5 Examine the complex meaning of utilitarianism.
    6 Present logical and coherent written arguments based on evidence.
    7 Demonstrate productive and respectful engagement with their peers.
    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, 3, 4, 5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 7
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 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. 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Cato, M.S. 2011, Environment and Economy, Routledge, London.
    Recommended Resources
    • Bentham, J. 1970, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, Burns, H. and Hart, H. L. A. (eds), Athlone, London, Chapter 2.
    • Canterbery, E.R. 2001, A Brief History of Economics: Artful Approaches to the Dismal Science, World Scientific, Singapore.
    • Commoner, B., Corr, M. and Stamler, P.J. 1971, The Closing Circle: Nature, Man and Technology, Knopf, New York.
    • Daly, H.E. 1996, Beyond Growth: The Economics of Sustainable Development, Beacon Press, Boston.
    • Friedman, M. 2002, Capitalism and Freedom, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
    • Hardin, G. 1993, Living within Limits: Ecology, Economics and Population Taboos, Oxford University Press, New York.
    • Heilbroner, R. 1997, Teaching from the Worldly Philosophy, Norton, New York.
    • Krugman, P. 2007, The Conscience of a Liberal, Norton, New York.
    • Marshall, A. 1961, Principles of Economics, 9th edn, Macmillan, London, Chapter 3.
    • Marx, K. 1959, Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, translated into English by Martin Milligan, Lawrence & Wishart, London.
    • Ostrom, E. 1990, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
    • Pearce, D. 1993, Blueprint 3: Measuring Sustainable Development. Earthscan, London.
    • Sagoff, M. 2008, The Economy of the Earth: Philosophy, Law and Environment, 2nd edn, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
    • Sandel, M.J. 2009, Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York.
    • Schumacher, E.F. 1973, Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. Harper and Row, New York.
    • Sen, A. 1987, On Ethics and Economics, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
    • Smith, A. 1950, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, 5th edn., E. Cannan (ed.), Methuen, London, Vol. 1, Book IV.
    • Smith, A. 2002, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Haakonssen K. (ed.), Cambridge University Press, New York.
    Online Learning
    The MyUni website for the course will provide you with access to course materials, announcements and many other features to help manage your study. You are advised to regularly visit the MyUni website for the course to receive course announcements and reminders.

    You will need the following to access MyUni:

    · a computer with an Internet connection;
    · a PC running Windows 95 or higher or a Mac running Mac OS 8.6 or higher;
    · a JavaScript enabled web browser (Netscape Navigator 4.7 or higher Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher);
    · the Adobe Reader software
    (download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html);
    · your University of Adelaide username and password.

    To reach the MyUni website for the course follow the links from the University of Adelaide's Homepage http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ to Login to MyUni https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login. When you open the course website you will find material related to the course. You will need to enter a username and password to enter the MyUni website.

    If you have difficulty accessing MyUni contact the Help Desk at 830 33335 or send an e-mail to myuni.help@adelaide.edu.au.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Although the lectures are intended to help you understand the key concepts discussed in the textbook, the lectures aim to add value and not just to regurgitate the text. Some material presented in lectures may come from diverse other sources. The lecture PowerPoint slides will be posted, in pdf format, to the course MyUni webpage progressively after lectures. That way, you are free from having to reproduce the material in the Powerpoint slides during lectures. However, much detail will be conveyed to the audience verbally. Video or audio recording service will be provided for this course. All material covered in lectures are examinable. Therefore, it is imperative that you attend lectures and take notes.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Lecture: 2 hours per week
    Tutorial: 1 hour per week
    Lecture material reading: 3 hours per week
    Assignment preparation: 4 hours per week
    Exam preparation: 2 hours per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 The foundation of the economic way of thinking
    Week 2 Resource scarcity and opportunity cost
    Week 3 Neoclassical approach to environmental problems
    Week 4 Sources of market failure
    Week 5 Policy instruments for pollution controls
    Week 6 Geographies of policy responses to environmental problems
    Week 7 Utilitarianism and free market economy
    Week 8 Economic growth and the economic dimension of sustainability
    Week 9 Economic growth and ecological sustainability
    Week 10 Pathways to a green economy
    Week 11 Pathways to a green economy (cont'd)
    Week 12 Course summary / Exam preparation
    * The sequence of lectures is subject to change.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    The assessment for the course is based on four components. Your grade will be determined by the aggregate mark that comprises of these components. The following table shows the percentage weightings of the graded work required by the course.  
    Activity Proportion of mark (%)
    Tutorial participation 10
    Academic essay 40
    Mid-semester test 10
    End-of-semester exam 40
    Total 100
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are expected to attend and participate in a one-hour tutorial per week throughout the semester except for Week 1 and Week 12. Students can attend their assigned session only unless otherwise mutually arranged.
    Assessment Detail
    Information available upon enrolment.
    Submission
    Information available upon enrolment.
    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.

  • 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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.