ECON 240: ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS FALL 2011 at FTU Professor: Text:
Bob Kling,
[email protected]
D.A. Anderson, Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Management, 3rd , Routledge (2010) COURSE OBJECTIVES
This is a beginning course in economic analysis of environmental issues, requiring no prerequisite economics course. The university's General Catalog describes the course content as "discussion and economic analysis of current environmental issues with special emphasis on the impact of economic growth." The specific objectives of the course are: C to acquaint you with environmental problems described in economic terms, C to encourage you to apply key economic principles in evaluating environmental issues, and C to aid you in judging what kinds of decisions, policies, and behavior are sensible, at both the personal and the societal levels. COURSE METHODS To accomplish the course objectives, the student and the professor will rely upon: C in-class development of central ideas using lectures integrated with discussion; C supporting reading from the text and assigned articles; C confirmation and evaluation of the level of student accomplishment, via T 3 tests (multiple choice, short-answer, and short-essay), and T a short paper applying analytical tools from the course to a current issue presented in a news media article; and C individual consultations between the student and the professor or teaching assistant, to ensure student understanding and to allow discussion to extend beyond the classroom. GRADES Quizzes, reaction essays, and exams have the following point values: 3 test scores @ 100 pts ea 300 points 1 short paper score 100 points Total points possible 400 points You will be assigned both a CSU grade and an FTU grade according to the following scale: Point range
CSU grade
FTU grade
Point range
CSU grade
FTU grade
390 - 400
A+
9.7 - 10.0
310 - 319
B–
7.0 - 7.4
370 - 389
A
9.1 - 9.6
290 - 309
C+
6.5 - 6.9
350 - 369
A–
8.5 - 9.0
270 - 289
C
5.0 - 6.4
336 - 349
B+
8.0 - 8.4
240 - 269
D
4.0 - 4.9
320 - 335
B
7.5 - 7.9
0 - 239
F
0.0 - 3.9
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY This course will be administered consistent with the Academic Integrity Policy of the Colorado State University General Catalog and the Student Conduct Code. Student conduct must adhere to the policy, and so will instructor response to any incidents that arise. See http://tilt.colostate.edu/integrity/faqs/what_are_the_rules.cfm .
ECON 240: ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS Prof. Bob Kling FALL 2011 at FTU Mon 7 November
Tue 8 November
Wed 9 November
Thu 10 November
Fri 11 November
1. Introduction
2. Value and Efficiency
2 continued
3. Market Failures
4. Policy Responses
Anderson Ch 1
Anderson Chs 2 and 7a
Anderson Ch 3
Anderson Ch 4
Mon 14 November
Tue 15 November
Wed 16 November
Thu 17 November
Fri 18 November
Catch-up day
Test #1 Topics 1 to 4
5. Pollution issues
6. Regulation
7. Energy
Anderson Ch 6
Anderson Ch 12
Anderson Chs 7 and 14
Mon 21 November
Tue 22 November
Wed 23 November
Thu 24 November
Fri 25 November
8. Measuring Values
8 continued
Catch-up day
9. Fisheries & Forests Anderson Ch 13
Test #2 Topics 5 to 8
Anderson Ch 10
Paper topic approval
Mon 28 November
Tue 29 November
Wed 30 November
Thu 1 December
Fri 2 December
10. Sustainability
11. Population, Poverty and Growth Anderson Chs 7b and 9
11 continued
12. Global Economy and Environment Anderson Ch 11
Test #3 Topics 9 to 12
Anderson Ch 8 Test date summary: #1 Tuesday 15 November #2 Friday 25 November #3 Friday 2 December Paper deadlines: Topic approval Wed 23 Nov Submission Wed 30 Nov
Paper due
Summary Topic Outline PART A: BASICS 1. Introduction 2. Value and Efficiency 3. Market Failures 4. Policy Responses
PART B: SPECIFICS 5. Pollution Issues 6. Regulation 7. Energy 8. Biodiversity and Valuation 9. Fisheries and Forests
PART C: BIG PICTURE 10. Sustainability 11. Population, Poverty, and Growth 12. Global Economy and Environment
Paper Assignment The assignment is a short paper worth 100 points, due Wednesday 30 November. This paper is to give a summary, interpretation, and critique of a news media article of your choosing. Specifically: L
Choose a partner. You are to work in pairs and submit a joint product.
L
Choose an article from a newspaper, news magazine, etc., that discusses an environmental policy issue and provides sufficient content to analyze in depth. Keep your eyes open for a suitable article starting now, even though you may not be prepared to analyze it until later. Criteria for the article are: • It must be sufficiently rich in content to analyze. This is a journalistic content requirement, not a length requirement. Still, a 5-sentence “brief” from the Fort Collins Coloradoan likely would not suffice; an 8page “special report” in Newsweek probably would; in the middle ground, use your judgement and if you are uncertain, consult with me. • It must be from 2011. • You should have your article choice approved by me by Wednesday 23 November.
L
Write a paper of 700 - 1000 words that critically analyzes the facts given in the article, and the policy decisions or other actions that are discussed there. Summarize the facts, then analyze the main ideas in the article using concepts from environmental economics, for example the concepts of opportunity cost, benefit valuation, externality, benefit-cost analysis, allocative efficiency, cost efficiency, other efficiency concepts, equity, supply and demand, incentives, sustainability, etc.
L
Give your paper a title. Divide your paper into clear sections with subtitles. A suggested format which you may adapt as appropriate would be as follows: 1. Introduction and summary of the article. Spend no more than 1/3 of the paper on this. 2. Interpretation. Suggest how some parts of what the article offers can be restated in terms of economic concepts, explaining as necessary. 3. Critique. Tell what seems right or wrong about what the article presents, from the perspective of environmental economics. Remember that the task here is to think like an environmental economist. You may choose to critique either: (a) the policy or action that the article describes, telling what seems rational or irrational about it, or (b) the journalistic presentation, telling what seems accurate or inaccurate about the way the journalist actually discusses the facts. In any case, be specific and apply economic concepts. 4. Conclusion. In one paragraph or so, summarize your overall assessment. Here also is the place where, if you want, you can briefly offer a more personal opinion that goes beyond strict economic argumentation. Attach a copy of the article to your paper.
L
Polish the compositional quality of your paper. Note that 25 percent of your score will depend on compositional quality. Check for spelling, grammar, correct sentence structure, effective division of paragraphs, logical flow, and clear wording that sounds like professional writing and not beer party discourse. If your writing does not meet minimum standards, you may be asked to rewrite and resubmit your paper, with a grade penalty.
L
The paper is worth 100 points, which will be assigned as follows: • Chosen article is relevant and rich in information, and is attached • Interpretation and critique are thorough and economically sound • Paper is well organized, of appropriate length, etc. • Composition is clear, correct, and professional
Up to 20 points Up to 35 points Up to 20 points Up to 25 points
L
Late submissions will be accepted with a penalty of 10 points for each day late (e.g., 2 days late, a score of 90 becomes a score of 70), and there are no exceptions to this formula. If you are worried about the risk of a penalty, get your paper done and submit it early!
L
Re-summary of dates: Article approval - Wednesday 23 November Paper submission - Wednesday 30 November
COURSE POLICIES for ECON / AREC 240, ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS Professor Kling 1.
RESPECT. Class will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect among students, and between students and the professor. Specifically: L The professor pledges to respect students’ right to learn, right to express themselves reasonably, and right to be treated fairly. He commits himself to offering clear and useful course content, and to constructing fair and relevant examinations and other assignments. L Students in the course pledge to protect each other’s right to learn, and to put forth their share of the effort required for the teaching-learning enterprise. Students commit themselves to informing themselves of course policies and schedule, including all syllabus information; doing their best to master the material presented; attending class; avoiding late arrivals, early departures, and irrelevant, discourteous or disruptive behavior in class (such as private conversations, or reading newspapers).
2.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. Students have an obligation to integrity in all academic work. In this course, submission of test answers and other assignments to be counted toward your course grade automatically implies a personal pledge that you have neither given nor received unapproved information about the test or assignments, whether by copying answers, exchanging unauthorized prior information, etc. Violation of this pledge in even the slightest degree will result in an automatic grade of F in the course, and more severe measures according to University procedure. Other instances of course-related theft or dishonesty will be treated similarly. For CSU’s policy on academic integrity, see: http://tilt.colostate.edu/integrity/faqs/what_are_the_rules.cfm .
3.
TESTS and ASSIGNMENTS. The following policies apply: L Early or late tests or other special arrangements are offered only in cases of documented emergency or conflicts with sanctioned University activities. Students are not to make elective travel or other plans that conflict with the scheduled tests in the course in which they have registered. L A student arriving late to a test session will be allowed to take the test in the remaining time, so long as the student does not arrive after other examinees have left. L Late submissions of the Paper will be accepted with a penalty of 10 points for each day late (e.g., 2 days late, a score of 90 becomes a score of 70), and the are no exceptions to this formula. If you are worried about the risk of a penalty, get your paper done and submit it early! L There will be no extra credit offered. The way to improve your grade from what it otherwise would be is to work hard to learn the material.
4.
CHALLENGING TEST QUESTIONS. A student who wants to challenge the validity of a test answer, and who is not satisfied with the instructor’s preliminary explanation, may submit in writing the reason(s) a disallowed answer might be considered correct or extra credit should be awarded. The professor will give judicious consideration to the reasoning offered and will offer a timely written response that will be considered the final decision.
A separate copy of these policies is provided, for you to sign and submit, acknowledging that you have read and that you accept these policies.
COURSE POLICIES for ECON / AREC 240, ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS Professor Kling 1.
RESPECT. Class will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect among students, and between students and the professor. Specifically: L The professor pledges to respect students’ right to learn, right to express themselves reasonably, and right to be treated fairly. He commits himself to offering clear and useful course content, and to constructing fair and relevant examinations and other assignments. L Students in the course pledge to protect each other’s right to learn, and to put forth their share of the effort required for the teaching-learning enterprise. Students commit themselves to informing themselves of course policies and schedule, including all syllabus information; doing their best to master the material presented; attending class; avoiding late arrivals, early departures, and irrelevant, discourteous or disruptive behavior in class (such as private conversations, or reading newspapers).
2.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. Students have an obligation to integrity in all academic work. In this course, submission of test answers and other assignments to be counted toward your course grade automatically implies a personal pledge that you have neither given nor received unapproved information about the test or assignments, whether by copying answers, exchanging unauthorized prior information, etc. Violation of this pledge in even the slightest degree will result in an automatic grade of F in the course, and more severe measures according to University procedure. Other instances of course-related theft or dishonesty will be treated similarly. For CSU’s policy on academic integrity, see: http://tilt.colostate.edu/integrity/faqs/what_are_the_rules.cfm .
3.
TESTS and ASSIGNMENTS. The following policies apply: L Early or late tests or other special arrangements are offered only in cases of documented emergency or conflicts with sanctioned University activities. Students are not to make elective travel or other plans that conflict with the scheduled tests in the course in which they have registered. L A student arriving late to a test session will be allowed to take the test in the remaining time, so long as the student does not arrive after other examinees have left. L Late submissions of the Paper will be accepted with a penalty of 10 points for each day late (e.g., 2 days late, a score of 90 becomes a score of 70), and the are no exceptions to this formula. If you are worried about the risk of a penalty, get your paper done and submit it early! L There will be no extra credit offered. The way to improve your grade from what it otherwise would be is to work hard to learn the material.
4.
CHALLENGING TEST QUESTIONS. A student who wants to challenge the validity of a test answer, and who is not satisfied with the instructor’s preliminary explanation, may submit in writing the reason(s) a disallowed answer might be considered correct or extra credit should be awarded. The professor will give judicious consideration to the reasoning offered and will offer a timely written response that will be considered the final decision.
I have read, I understand, and I agree to follow the ECON 240 course policies stated here. Name _____________________________ Student Number _____________________ Signature __________________________
